[GoblinGaga]

Just wanted to share an experience with you all and invite people to share any similar experiences if they wish.

Yesterday I went to the Teikyo festival at the Japanese college in Durham to do an Iaido demonstration. The invitation came via one of my students who runs an Aikido class also in Durham.

When I got there, there was a demonstration of Tameshigiri being given by a kenjutsu club but they were in some kind of soundproofed courtyard. So whilst it looked nice, no one really knew what they were doing or why.

It was intended that my demonstration along with the Aikido one given by my friend and another one on Wado Kai (by another friend and fellow Iai practitioner) would also use this area but the organisers changed it when we said that we would like to explain what we do.

So we were put in a large room with corded carpet on the floor as beloved by most schools these days.

The Wado group went up first to do their twenty minute stint - and, thanks to the Sensei's banter filled out to an enjoyable 35 minutes. Off the Sesnei then went to get changed into his Iai garb whilst the Aikido group did their thing. Again, this was well recieved by the crowd of about 60.

Alas, I had the graveyard shift, and because no one senior from my dojo could attend (Martch had hoped to get there but eventually couldn't) I was left to do the demo alone. Rather than just do Iai and leave them to work it out, I thought it best to use the Wado Sensei (who is also iaido shodan) to explain what they were about to see.

Bizarrely, it also helped calm the nerves and I could see why the Wado demo overran by 15 minutes as I was really starting to enjoy myself. The crowd laughed politely at my feeble jokes but were very silent during the Enbu itself -unlike the tannoy announcer who decided to tell everyone in the building about the traditional tea ceremony about to start just as I was doing the opening torei. Strangely, everyone stayed to watch my demo (probably thought I might do some mischief on them with it if they left).

Anyway, after it was over, lost of people come up to us to talk about what we do and were generally positive. Some just being interested for the sake of it, some took the flyers we had done and said they would come and join the club. We'll see.

I then got talking to a couple of the guys who did the Tameshigiri - who seemed very decent. We spoke awhile about differences of practice etc and I asked about their teacher. I was a bit surprised that he had decided to leave the event rather than watch fellow martial artists and come and say hello. One of his students said he would like to try Iai as well as what he does but I told him that he should speak with his own Sensei about that but he would be most welcome if it was agreed. I somehow doubt he will be allowed to come. Which would be a shame - I think we should build bridges, not widen the rivers.

Anyhoo, the pub beckoned. The beer flowed and Sunderland had just beaten Newcastle so my Aikido/Wado mates were very very happy indeed.


Lee

[markkisil]

Was the tameshigiri by these people? http://www.shodai.org.uk/

Gendai battō style from Kumamoto, by the looks of their website.

[Voliscietle]

Was the tameshigiri by these people? http://www.shodai.org.uk/

Gendai battō style from Kumamoto, by the looks of their website.

Sorry, I should also have said: nice story. Good to hear people were so interested. Which waza did you perform?

[SimSlim]

Glad your demonstration went well Satsumaruma, Also glad you could talk shop for a bit. Too bad the other sensei didn`t stay but oh well.

Have particapated in various demos 1, for Obukan at small dance studio in Portland, 1 for Idaho kendo kai on Boise grove, 1 for HP in Boise, was just me and senpai that could make it. Iaido, seite gata demo for NPO meeting of all the clubs here in Hachioji, Tokyo (Was interesting cause I hadn`t been able to make all the practices for it due to work schedule and intially the Sensei leading the demo group wasn`t going to use me. But one of the other senpai talked him into it due the fact that I am the only gaijin in dojo and probably the only gaijin at this event lol) It went okay, but my hasuji was a little bit off that day lol.

[MpbY5dkR]

Did you get 'master Lee' on the wall? I got master Tim when I did my demo there ten years ago! Brian still reminds me of it... Headmaster invited us up for tea and snacks and said he was amazed a westerner would do anything so 'japanese'!
You should have said, I was thinking of coming up but thought it would be just the usual tea ceremony stuff and kids doing kanji.

I could have heckled from the audience... blast it!

[imporesweemo]

Was the tameshigiri by these people? http://www.shodai.org.uk/

Gendai battō style from Kumamoto, by the looks of their website.

Yes I believe it was. But I didn't see "Colin Young" doing anything other than sitting and watching his own students.

Sorry, I should also have said: nice story. Good to hear people were so interested. Which waza did you perform?

Due to time constraints I could only fit in seven (hope this is not a bad number to do). I chose Mae and Uke Nagashi (Omori Ryu), Oroshi and Take Otoshi (Eishin Ryu) Shinobu (Oku) and Tsuka Ate and Soete Tsuki (Seitei).

I would have like to have done some Tachi Uchi no Kurai but my regular partners could not make the event and the Wado chap isn't well versed in them so it would have looked a bit 'stilted'.

Did you get 'master Lee' on the wall? I got master Tim when I did my demo there ten years ago! Brian still reminds me of it... Headmaster invited us up for tea and snacks and said he was amazed a westerner would do anything so 'japanese'!
You should have said, I was thinking of coming up but thought it would be just the usual tea ceremony stuff and kids doing kanji.

I could have heckled from the audience... blast it!

LOL. No I didn't get Master Lee...thankfully.

And you could've heckled from the audience..better that than making your excuses and going without at least saying hello eh?

[OrefZorremn]

a couple of my lads went but didn't see you, just the guys doing the tameshigiri. I was actually supposed to be at Nottingham that weekend, but ended up in work both days instead. Which was crap. Iai or work...easy choice, unless the boss is screaming about fixing a disaster...

[strmini]

The tameshigiri was in the centre of the quad, the other side of sound proof glass, but right in the centre of the building so everyone walking round could see them.

problem was, it was a traditional Japanese graden setting in the quad with stones nicley patterned and boulders strategically placed - not ideal for Aikido, wado or iaido. So we asked to do our stuff in the main hall which also allowed us to explain what we do rather than just show it in silence.

Lee

[Nakforappealp]

Embus are great fun, sorry I couldn't make it, spent all day with the in-laws in Northumberland.

Anyway I was told you put on a good show and explaining the kata was an excellent way of demonstrating iai. I'm interested to know more about this tamashigiri group. Is the sensei anyone I might know (feel free to PM me)?