|
|
Volume 5 Issue 7 |
Editor: Dave Christman | NOV 2003 |
|
All Photos by Dave Christman |
Chicago Taikai Three of us traveled down to Chicago for the annual MWKF tournament on Nov. 8-9. More info below.
|
| Dr. Klens Bigman: While I was driving home from Chicago, my dojo was "borrowed" and used by the EMU club to host a koryu iaido seminar. I hope they had a great time, I'd like to get a report on how it went....if anybody out there who attended could fill me in.....*ahem* |
| Announcement: While attending the MWKF Board Meeting (my duty as Treasurer) I was unexpectedly nominated as a candidate for MWKF Board president. I was told I was needed, and I could contribute over the next 2 years, so would I please at least consider running? I reluctantly relented, and pledged that if elected I would do my best. So I got elected! Gone are the days of standing in line at a taikai with my bento ticket! I'll actually get to sit up front, at the head table and be waited on. Also, I will be passing on my treasurer duties to Gordon Yamamoto of the Chicago Kendo Dojo, who was elected the new treasurer. | 
My first speech as President |
 |
Chicago
The 15th annual MWKF
tournnament was hosted this year by the Chicago Kendo Dojo. Held at the
Feldman gym in Niles, it ran real smooth. Everything actually was either
on time or finished ahead of time. There was about 150 participants and it
was done before 6:00 p.m.
|
| Warm ups started just a little after 8:00 a.m. |
|
 |
This year the Kendo Kata demonstration was done by Osamu Wada and John Condon from the host dojo. Excellent work, I was very impressed. |
| Later in the afternoon The Seitei Jo Kata was demonstrated. I have seen this kata many times, and although these young people were only at shodan level, it was very well done. |  |
|
|
The dojo didn't come back with any trophies, I didn't get any good pictures of Jason or Matsuura, but I did get this cool picture of Hajime Sugawara. He is a many time past champion at this tournament. As you see, he is a jodan specialist. |
| This being my very first day as president, I was asked to sit at the head table. That meant I was to sit with only Matsumoto and Maeda sensei. The only 2 seventh dan men there. I felt a little funny, but when the tournament began Matsumoto (actually a very close friend) and I began a running dialog, commenting on the fights around us. We were watching to see how his students, and my friends performed. I got a chance to shinpan during the team competition. I would have disappointed if I couldn't judge some matches. |
| The banquet again was at the Szechuan North, we completely take over the whole restaurant (cool) at 9:00 p.m. Again, I had to give a short speech ( I better get used to it). |  |
| On Sunday, exams were held. Matsuura and I sat on the board of examiners for 28 people going for their nikkyu rank. They ranged from 7 to 40 years old. We were extremely surprised and impressed at the quality of the kendo they displayed. All of them. Our sincere congratulations to them all. We convinced Jason to try for ikkyu, sure enough he did pass his ikkyu exam with flying colors. Congratulations, you'll be our dojo's next dan candidate. Now there is a few other people in our dojo, who should put their nose to the grindstone. You know who I mean. |
|
UPCOMING EVENTS |
LAST SAMURAI.....TBA As a dojo, we will plan to go see this movie as a group, on a Sunday afternoon, just like we (few) did at KILL BILL. We had a fun time too. Join us for this one.... CHRISTMAS PARTY We plan to have our annual Holiday practice and get together on December 14th. We'll practice from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. and then eat at 6:00 and party on.....
|
|
New Monthly Feature |
 |
|
I've collected a lot of stories, quotes, koans, poems and haiku. Here is one I really like: "This world- To what may I liken it? To autumn fields lit dimly in the dusk by lightening flashes." -Minamoto no Shitago (Year 980) (From a collection of Samurai Death Poems) |
e-mail the editor: let me know your comments at: dtc12(nospam)@comcast.net to reach me just remove the (nospam) from previous address.
