[Smeaphvalialm]

The latest AUSKF Newsletter (Volume 10, Number 1) is on the AUSKF website.

Michael

[zlopikanikanzax]

Good stuff. Packed with info. Some items I found interesting:
1. Korean Kumdo Association, U.S.A. proposing to join AUSKF. Looks like it's moving forward.
2. New domain name for AUSKF web site: auskf.org vs. old one, which was auskf.info. Always wondered about that. Plus proposal to update dojo listing to include an interactive dojo location map.
3. When it comes to regional federations, one of the long-range goals might be to have "only one AUSKF member federation for each of the fifty states in the United States." I read this to mean "all the dojos in a given state will belong to one regional federation."
4. There will be another kendo embu this month (February) at the Disney Martial Arts Festival. It appears the board is pondering Disney World as a possible venue when the U.S. host a future WKC.

[Nubtoubrem]

on page 4, under item #5 (Education). "How can we raise the awareness of AUSKF members towards kendo?" can someone tell me what that means? cause frankly I think AUSKF members are well aware of kendo.(well, at least a general idea)

on the topic of increasing membership and encouraging more general public to take up kendo. ..I have 2 thoughts. first) that's good news for the "for profit kendo clubs" as the successful outcomes will only bring them more money, of course in turn it will also bring AUSKF more money. However, does that mean we will have to sacrifice the overall quality of kendo in U.S? that is something remains to be observed. 2nd)Since I started at University club, I would like to point out that for many University kendo clubs and other non-profit kendo clubs alike, there needs to be more/stronger "support" from AUSKF, whether that translates to the 10 shinais that Mr. Atsushi Hori to Boston kendo kyokai or circulating more 6th dan and up senseis (within their federation) to matinain the overall quality of kendo. Bringing more interest to kendo and attracting more "kyu" participants is good, but there's a cause and effect to everythig. So, while I am all for the idea. I'd like to play the devils advocate here.

So, where's this "card" that we are all going to have to pay more for and I wonder if they are going to have scanning machines that actually scan these things at tournaments?

I don't see why we ought to make the AUSKF Championship "self supporting". So, does that mean California and NY kendo clubs are going to have to financially fork out the money to hold "Annual" AUSKF tournaments? I dislike that idea. Being that the event is AUSKF, i think it's not unreasonable for AUSKF to subsidize someo of the cost. I do, however think AUSKF need not provide for volunteer referee expenses, a meal is good enough for me.

I am surprised that despite KKA of U.S filing for officially joining the AUSKF, the AUSKF hasn't mentioned a joint championship with the KKA. Any words on that? or possible thoughts?

Also, i read that the format of the tournaments from 07 will be different. anyone know what this "difference" is going to be? Will we start on time and end on time now?

[Keyclenef]

I am surprised that despite KKA of U.S filing for officially joining the AUSKF, the AUSKF hasn't mentioned a joint championship with the KKA. Any words on that? or possible thoughts?

i think that just means that KKA of US (not other KKA branch or KKA in korea) will join AUSKF and nothing more. i think there are number of korean dojang in US that belongs to KKA of US instead of AUSKF, and this move will ensure that kumdo/kendo in US will belong to one federation, AUSKF. KKA has number of branchs in different countries where there are large number of koreans. i think this move to join KKA of US to AUSKF is a good idea for number of reasons.

pete

[QxmFwtlam]

3. When it comes to regional federations, one of the long-range goals might be to have "only one AUSKF member federation for each of the fifty states in the United States." I read this to mean "all the dojos in a given state will belong to one regional federation."

All fifty states in the US? Was this a blanket statement, is the Hawaiian Kendo Federation going to join with AUSKF, or is AUSKF going to have their own region federation in Hawaii alongside HKF? I'm thinking it was just a blanket statement that doesn't really refer to Hawaii, and HKF will remain the Kendo Federation of Hawaii, but I just wanted to be sure.

[boanuatiguali]

All fifty states in the US? Was this a blanket statement, is the Hawaiian Kendo Federation going to join with AUSKF, or is AUSKF going to have their own region federation in Hawaii alongside HKF? I'm thinking it was just a blanket statement that doesn't really refer to Hawaii, and HKF will remain the Kendo Federation of Hawaii, but I just wanted to be sure.

You can read the newsletter for yourself, but it appears Hori sensei presented this merely as a long-range goal. My gut instinct is that it does not include Hawaii, but you'll have to ask one of the board members who was there. Personally, I think it's an admirable goal overall, but for practical (read political) reasons, I doubt it will happen within the next generation.

[nerrttrw]

. . .I am surprised that despite KKA of U.S filing for officially joining the AUSKF, the AUSKF hasn't mentioned a joint championship with the KKA. Any words on that? or possible thoughts? . . .

Why would there have to be a joint championship if KKA joins AUSKF? There would only be the AUSKF unless AUSKF joined the KKA then there would be KKA.
They belong to AUSKF or they don't. If they do there is no "joint" championship. If they don't why would AUSKF have a "joint" championship.

Call it political if you want but the bottom line is that it seems that KKA seeks to join, not merge. I don't see a merger in the future.

[SallythePearl]

They belong to AUSKF or they don't. If they do there is no "joint" championship. If they don't why would AUSKF have a "joint" championship.

well, yes the KKA either joins or they don't, so by default. ..once they join, they are part of the AUSKF,so there wouldn't be the need for a "joint" championship. but, if you know the koreans as well as i do. I doubt they will just abolish their "U.S kumdo championship" event. (don't believe? wait and see) so, i guess in the back of my mind it's like the AUSKF and KKA will be one, but at the same time distinct and seperate entitties operating with different rules. I mean after all can you imagine the AUSKF saying to the KKA of U.S. "well, gentlemen now you are part of AUSKF, you must forego what you've always been doing, and do things our way". I don't think so.

[BoBoMasterDesign]

i thinkt the 50 states thing will have a twist to it, so it wont be just like. the Kentucky federation .. and Ohio federation, i think for grouping sake, it will still be that way. but the individual states will have to submit to a regional head state.

[tsamprasxx]

well, yes the KKA either joins or they don't, so by default. ..once they join, they are part of the AUSKF,so there wouldn't be the need for a "joint" championship.

I think a greater hurdle may be the issue of grading -- specifically the transfer of current KKA grades and the issue of kendo-no-kata.

[Inettypofonee]

KKA: We want to keep all of the things we do and still be in the AUSKF

AUSKF: We'll get back to you on that.

Several centuries pass.

KKA: Have you decided yet?

AUSKF: We will have a meeting soon.

[SetSnonejog]

I heard this during the last board meeting for our regional federation, so its second hand info and probably not accurate to a great degree, but what I was told by people more in the know was that the KKA was thinking about joining essentially as its own regional federation, but without a geographic "region"...if that makes sense.

Implimentation though, don't know anything about that...

[Piediahef]

I think a greater hurdle may be the issue of grading -- specifically the transfer of current KKA grades and the issue of kendo-no-kata.

KKA being a member of FIK/IKF, the grade should be transferreble (?). i think KKA does the nihon kendo kata long with korean form.

pete

[Orefsmisits]

well, yes the KKA either joins or they don't, so by default. ..once they join, they are part of the AUSKF,so there wouldn't be the need for a "joint" championship. but, if you know the koreans as well as i do. I doubt they will just abolish their "U.S kumdo championship" event. (don't believe? wait and see) so, i guess in the back of my mind it's like the AUSKF and KKA will be one, but at the same time distinct and seperate entitties operating with different rules. I mean after all can you imagine the AUSKF saying to the KKA of U.S. "well, gentlemen now you are part of AUSKF, you must forego what you've always been doing, and do things our way". I don't think so.

if KKA of US wants to be a part of AUSKF, they should go with whatever AUSKF asks for.. including sonkyo and what not. if not, then they shouldn't even bother trying to be a part of AUSKF.

why does it feel like this is something KKA and FIK cooked up trying to put lid on WKA? i think US kumdo championship was ran by WKA.

pete

[Anaedilla]

Pete's right. As a part of the dan grading in kumdo, kata-no-kendo is tested. It's called bon in Korean (hon in Japanese? - from the individual names of the kata). And grading shouldn't be an issue - through the IKF/FIK route, also as Pete mentioned. There may be more difficulties from folks on the kumdo side, as there are additional requirements for dan testing on the kumdo side; but once again, you're either recongnized by IKF/FIK or you're not.

Some kumdo dojangs already belong to both KKA and AUSKF, so I don't think there are big technical hurdles to this move, only political ones. For example, Koreans will probably want representation on the AUSKF board and have some of their own named as directors, etc.... All things they can work out if both sides are serious and want it to happen (or not). Personally, I hope it comes about.

As far as "championships" go, you can call any tournament whatever you want, so what's the big deal? Especially if KKA US is talking about joining as a regional entity - think of it as a local event. AUSKF National will be the only officially recognized "national champioinship."

Missing in all this talk is KKA US East, the other KKA branch set up a few years ago. Are they in on this also?