BKA News Online

Issue #16 February 2005

Contents

Submission

Guidelines

Contact Details

Introduction

Notices

The 2nd International Kendo Enbu Taikai [IKET}

Diary of Events

Grading Results

Shopping & book list

Articles:

Tactics in Kendo Part 2

Stoke and Premier Cup 2004

The 3^rd European Championships Jodo Stockholm 2004

Darlington Seminar Report - 20^th & 21^st November 2004

4th National Kendo Referees Seminar

European Iaido & Jodo Championships

Seminars/Competitions: Forms & Details

Last Words

Submission Guidelines:

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This news online is produced courtesy of the website, please remember, we can only publish things that we get, so if we don’t get anything relating to a specific event, then we can’t do anything about it. You can help us by:

1 Registering your interest to do an article before an event

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7 Items that involve the team in retyping or reformatting will not be undertaken and returned to the originator. However typewritten formats are acceptable, as these items can be electronically scanned and included.

Send Postal Submissions to: BKA Newsletter, 1 Manor Cottages, Heronsgate Road, Chorleywood, Herts. WD3 5BJ

Contact Details:

Chairman: John Howell

John.howell@kendo.org.uk

Treasurer: Gavin Murray-Threipland treasurer@kendo.org.uk

Membership Secretary: Mukhtar Hussein memb.sec@kendo.org.uk

Secretary: Ric Schofield

ric.schofield@kendo.org.uk

Kendo Bucho: Mike Davis

mike.davis@kendo.org.uk

Iaido Bucho: Vic Cook

vic.cook@kendo.org.uk

Jodo Bucho: Vacant

BKA PRO: Fay Goodman

publicity@kendo.org.uk

Kendo PRO: Steve Bishop

steve.bishop@kendo.org.uk

Health and Safety Officer: Stuart Shirreff Stuart.Shirreff@kendo.org.uk

First Aid Advisor: Trevor Chapman Trevor.Chapman@kendo.org.uk

Webmaster: Carl Ranger.

bkawebmaster@kendo.org.uk

News Online Editor: Paul Budden Paul.budden@kendo.org.uk

National Phone line

01494 581503

Automated response only

A comprehensive and up-to-date list of BKA contact details can be found online

Introduction:

Dear members,

A brand new year, which will include the 2nd IKET, the 20th Kodokan Kendo Seminar and many more Seminars/ Competitions for all disciplines, so please check out the diary to ensure you can make the events of your choice.

Details of the AGM will be published in the April edition.

If you know of any member who did not receive a copy of this newsletter [this is probably be due to updates in the database] please express our apologies and they can of course view and print off from the website directly: www.kendo.org.uk

Let’s all make it a great 2005

Notices:

Apologies but we are currently awaiting a delivery of new membership books and as soon as we have received them, the backlog of outstanding memberships will be cleared.

Don’t Forget the Glasgow Kendo Seminar and grading 1^st Kyu to 3^rd Dan: March 12^th & 13^th

The attending Sensei are John Howell, John Hepburn & Sotaro Honda and there is a high-grade practice on the Saturday morning.

Kashi No Ki Kenyu Kai:

Will be honored to host a Kendo seminar over the weekend of the 5th and 6th of March 2005.

This seminar will be lead by Hiroshi Ozawa Kendo 7th Dan Kyoshi, together with two other Japanese Kendo 7th Dan assisting

National Coaching Course: Saturday the 23rd April 2005

Light Hall School Hathaway Road, Shirley, Solihull, B90 2PZ.

Contact: Ric Schofield

National Kendo Coach

If you would like a visit from the Squad & National Kendo Coach: Sotaro Honda, to your Dojo/club during regular practice sessions [where feasible] or to host a mini seminar/event.

Please contact the Kendo Bu and we will prepare a schedule of availability for you.

Yes we are still looking for Professional Fund Raiser

Are you, or do you know someone, who may be interested in the position of professional fundraiser for the British Kendo Association? Earnings are on a percentage commission basis subject to discussions and contract. If you are interested or want further information please contact the General Secretary,

Ric Schofield.

BKA website Club Directory

This is a notification in respect of dojo/clubs that have been non compliant in respect of the H &S requirements for BKA registration and Instructors Insurance. These dojo/clubs have now been removed from the BKA Directory website directory and will not be reinstated until the correct procedures and relevant documentation has been put in place. BKA members who continue to practice at these dojo/clubs are themselves at risk, as their individual insurance is in effect null & void. For full clarification. Contact the H & S officer Stuart Shirreff: Stuart.Shirreff@kendo.org.uk

Notification from the Kendo Bu on Kendo Kata and the Grading requirements.

After reviewing the overall presentation of Kendo Kata demonstrated at gradings throughout 2004 it has been decided to concentrate on raising the required standard. This will be undertaken at the various seminars throughout 2005 and from the Autumn grading held in London after the Lidstone Taikai, the examination process will be tightened up to include the following:

IKKYU:

To complete the first three forms without any error and to show the correct Reiho and individual appearance.

SHODAN:

To complete the first five forms without error and show the correct cutting action from each kamae used, in addition Utsu-mai must be effective.

NIDAN:

To complete the first seven forms without error, distance and timing also the manner of all actions should be clearly visible.

Overall an understanding of practical application of the forms should be evident. (Why you are doing what you are doing)

SANDAN:

To complete all ten forms without error using the correct Utsu-riai and manner (pace of the form and cutting timing)

The forms should show the correct purpose and intention with regard to the action/reaction principles.

YONDAN:

To complete all forms without error and showing effective use of the bokken.

Also the connection between Uchidachi and Shidachi in regard to timing and spirit should be at a high level.

The performance should also reflect the principles of Juho and Goho.

GODAN:

The performance should contain the virtues of Grace,Sincerity,Dignity and Wisdom.

Effective action and reaction should be visible, mental contact between Uchidachi / Shidachi should also be un-broken.

Procedures in the event of an error being made during presentation:

1 further attempt to demonstrate the correct procedures if either candidate feels they have made an error or if asked by the panel to demonstrate again.

This applies 1st kyu to 3rd Dan only.

For 4th Dan and above 1 attempt only to demonstrate the correct procedures if either candidate feels they have made an error.

There will be no further concessions.

Kendo Bu. November 2004

The 2nd International Kendo Enbu Taikai [IKET]

Will be held in Edinburgh: 1^st to 3^rd July 2005 at the Centre for Sports & Exercise, the University of Edinburgh 46 Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9TJ

The format of demonstration matches: 1^st Dan to 7^th Dan and also including a Hantei style section for Kyusha] will be used and invitations are being sent to all Associations and Federations Worldwide.

The Programme will start with a Kendo seminar on Friday the 1^st with the attending Sensei including: Saburo Iwatate Sensei 8^th Dan Hanshi, Masatake Sumi 8^th Dan Hanshi, Masashi Chiba 8^th Dan Hanshi, Tadanori Okamura 8^th Dan Kyoshi, Isao Ueigaki 8^th Dan Kyoshi and Junichi Tashiro 8^th Dan Kyoshi. Many other Sensei are also expected to attend

That will be followed on Saturday the 2^nd with demonstrations of: Aikido, Iaido, Jodo, Judo, Karate, Kyudo, and Kendo by the Sensei plus the Enbu Competition and a Sayonara party in the evening.

Also scheduled are ‘workshops’ on the various Arts being demonstrated, which can be sampled during the day. The City of Edinburgh Pipers & Taiko drummers will open the Championships

This event is open to the general public to attend:

Admission charges: adults £5 children £3 and will be advertised accordingly.

Other cultural activities include: Art and Photography, Bonsai, Origami, Taiko Drummers, Ikebana, Japanese physiotherapy, Tea ceremony, Japanese folk song and dance, Weapons Display.
Also present Nine Circles Martial arts equipment and Bonsai Japanese food shop.

On the Sunday morning the 3^rd there will be General practice for all attendees together with the Sensei.

The cost to attend the seminar and compete in the Enbu Taikai and General practice will be £35.

Sayonara party: £18

Short stay is available at Edinburgh University and is additional: Prices are as published

You can of course make your own arrangements, as Edinburgh has lots of Hotels etc. and is a great place to stay.

Applications for all BKA, EKF & IKF members who wish to take part are printed in this issue.

This is a wonderful opportunity for us as an Association to continue the fantastic success of last year’s event, with a truly unique BKA International event that will showcase Kendo in the United Kingdom to a World Wide audience.

It’s open to all members; so we look forward to your support in this event, so get involved

– Spectator, competitor or helper?

Special thanks to Katsuya Masagaki for the poster design

Diary of Events

Here is a list of all Kendo (K), Iaido (I), and Jodo (J) related events in the U.K. and others of interest in Europe. Events that span all three disciplines are marked (A).

This information is Provisional at the time of going to print and will be updated in future issues.

The CLOSING DATE for all shinsa (gradings) is TWO CALENDAR MONTHS prior to the day of the exam. Contact FOR ALL UK shinsa is the Grading Officer and NOT the person in charge of running the seminar. For all overseas Grading, members must contact John Howell for a letter of permission.

Date	Description / Details	Location	Discipline	Contact (addresses not expanded can be found in Contact Details)
19^th February	BKA AGM and Kangeiko. AGM starts 2pm	Light Hall School Birmingham	A	Ric Schofield
19^th and 20^th February	Kendo Squad Training	Light Hall School Birmingham	K	Sotaro Honda
5^th& 6^th March	University Championship 2005	Imperial College Union London	K	Pichit Hongsaranagon
5^th& 6^th March	Hiroshi Ozawa Kendo Seminar	Kashi No Ki Kenyu Kai Ollerton	K	Trevor Chapman
12^th to 13^th March	Kendo Seminar and Grading 1^st Kyu to 3^rd Dan	Taiseidokai Glasgow	K	Kendo Bu
19^th and 20^th March	Kendo Squad Training	Kodokan Rickmansworth	K	Sotaro Honda
19^th to 20^th March	Iaido West Country Seminar	Tsunami Watchet	I J	Iaido Bu
20^th March	Iaido Grading	Tsunami Watchet	I J	Grading Officer
3^rd April 10:30 - 13:30	Kyusha Seminar and Grading 7^th to 2^nd kyu	Kodokan Rickmansworth	K	Paul Budden
3^rd April 14:00 - 17:00	Kata Seminar	Kodokan Rickmansworth	K	Paul Budden
9^th and 10^th April	Kendo Squad Training	Kodokan Rickmansworth	K	Sotaro Honda
15^th to 17^th April	European Kendo Championships	Berne Switzerland	K	John Howell
17^th April	Kendo Grading 1^st Dan up to and including 7^th Dan	Berne Switzerland	K	John Howell
17^th April	. Kendo Grading up to and including 7^th Dan	Berne Switzerland	K	John Howell
23^rd April	National Kendo Refereeing seminar	Kashi no ki Olerton	K	Trevor Chapman
23^rd April	Coaching course	Birmingham	A	Ric Schofield
23^rd to 24^th April	SENI	NEC Birmingham	A	Fay Goodman
21^st & 22^nd May	Kendo Seminar	Tsunami Watchet	K	Kendo Bu
22^nd May	Kendo Grading 1^st Kyu to 3^rd Dan	Tsunami Watchet	K	Grading Officer
4^th & 5^th June	Sir Frank Bowden Taikai & Premier’s cup	Kagami shin Stoke	K	Kendo Bu
June	Iaido & Jodo National championships	Horsham	I J	Iaido Bu or Jodo Bu
1st to 3rd July	Int Kendo Enbu Taikai	Edinburgh University	K	Kendo Bu
16^th July	Kendo seminar	Kagami shin Stoke	K	Kendo Bu
17^th July	Kendo grading 1^st Kyu to 4^th Dan	Kagami shin Stoke	K	Grading Officer
27^th July to 3^rd August	2005 Foreign Kendo Leaders Seminar	Kitamoto Japan	K	John Howell
19^th to 21st August	20th Int Kodokan Kendo seminar With Masatake Sumi Sensei	Kodokan Rickmansworth	K	Paul Budden
21st August	Kendo grading seminar members only 1^st Kyu to 5^th Dan	Kodokan Rickmansworth	K	Grading Officer
August	Iaido & Jodo summer seminar	Brighton	I J	Iaido Bu or Jodo Bu
August	Iaido & Jodo grading	Brighton	I J	Grading Officer
1^st September	First aid course	Kashi no ki Ollerton	A	Trevor Chapman
24^th September	British Open Kendo championships	Kagami shin Stoke	K	Kendo Bu
15^th October	Lidstone Taikai	Nenriki London	K	Errol Blake
16^th October	Kendo Grading, 1^stKyu to 4^thDan	Mumeishi Cranford	K	Grading Officer
October	Kyusha Seminar and Grading 7^th to 2^nd kyu	Kashi No Ki Ollerton	K	Trevor Chapman
November TBA	Iaido & Jodo Northern seminar	Darlington	I J	Iaido Bu or Jodo Bu
November TBA	Iaido & jodo grading	Darlington	I J	Grading Officer
3^rd December	National Kendo Refereeing seminar	Kashi no ki Ollerton	K	Trevor Chapman

Kendo Squad Training & Schedule

Squad training sessions are usually held once a month. These take place over a weekend. Anyone interested in being involved with the squad is welcome to attend. There is a charge of £3 per session to help cover costs.

Training Dates for 2005:

Mar 19^th & 20^th

Apr 9^th & 10^th

May 7^th & 8^th

June 18^th & 19^th

July 23^rd & 24^th

No squad training in August

September 11^th & 12^th

October 8^th & 9th

November 5^th & 6^th

December 10^th & 11^th

The next training weekend will be held at Kodokan Dojo in Rickmansworth on the 19th & 20th March

Time
Saturday 1^st 2:00-5:00pm
Sunday 2^nd 10:00am-1:00pm

Venue
Kodokan Kendo Dojo
Princess Marina Sports Complex
The Royal Masonic School for Girls
Chorleywood Road
Rickmansworth
Herts. WD3 4HF

Directions (View a map)
By Road: From the M25 Junction 18 (Amersham/Chorleywood exit) take the A404 towards Rickmansworth for about 1 mile. The school is on the left hand side; use the second, signposted entrance (the first is closed). If you reach the Rickmansworth Station roundabout, you’ve gone too far, so go back up Chorleywood Road (A404) and the entrance is about 400m on the right. Parking is in the main school car park. Access to the sports complex is on foot (follow the signs). The gates are not locked, but please close after entry.
By Rail: Rickmansworth Station is on the Metropolitan Line (Baker Street-Amersham) and the Chiltern Line (Marylebone-Aylesbury). The school is just a short walk from the station. From the station front entrance, turn right and follow the above directions from the station roundabout.

Accommodation
Check out: www.stilwell.co.uk Hertfordshire inc Rickmansworth and surrounding area.

We particularly want to encourage more women to come and join the squad.
The only requirements are that you are keen to compete and willing to attend squad training sessions

Grading Results:

Kendo

Cork, Ireland:

16^th January 2005

Ikkyu:

Robert Daunton

Adrian Wagstaff

Shodan:

Tryston Howe

Carl Ranger

Nidan:

Lesley Molloy

Yuma Kurihara

Shopping:

There are still a few items left of 12thWKC memorabilia left

Nine Circles Nine Circles will act as the official distributor of BKA merchandise, including books,

videos and BKA tenegui.

Address: Nine Circles, PO Box 54, Gloucester, GL1 2YS

Tel/fax: 01452 500655

Website: http://www.ninecircles.co.uk/

Email: quentin@ninecircles.demon.co.uk

BKA Book List (available from nine circles)

Kendo The Definitive Guide - Ozawa

This is Kendo: The Art of Japanese Fencing - Sasamori & Warner

Complete Kendo - Donohue

The Heart of Kendo - Craig

Looking at a Far Mountain - Budden

Fundamental Kendo Vols 1 & 2 - ZNKR (BKA Only item)

Japanese-English Kendo Dictionary - ZNKR (BKA Only item)

Check out the ‘Kendo World’ list of available titles

The BKA have the following items on offer to members only!

39 Shinai ‘ Silver quality’ @ £30 each

39 Shinai ‘Gold quality’ @ £35 each

water bottles @ 75p each

BKA Tenegui @ £5 each

All of these items may be purchased by cheque/cash by contacting:

Trevor Chapman or Rob Wix or Dean Wormall

Kashinoki.kenyukai@btopenworld.com

If you have budo related equipment item[s] that you wish to part with then please email us with

details and you can be included in the next newsletter (online and printed version).

This can include books, shinai, clothing, 2^nd hand bogu, etc - anything relevant.

Articles:

Tactics in Kendo Part 2

Sotaro Honda

University of Gloucestershire, British Squad Coach

Introduction

In the previous article, the relationship between Kendo and tactics, my personal experience of studying tactics, and the effectiveness of learning tactics were introduced. In this article and the next one, I would like to discuss the learning of tactics appropriate to the level of the individual practitioner. These two articles are to follow my two previous articles entitled ‘Attitudes to Ji-geiko Part 1 and 2’. Before getting started, I would like to reiterate that I never want you to think of this as ‘quick fix’, on how to win competitions by pushing the rules to the limit. My aim is to provide you with some ideas and explore of the opportunities to learn a great many of the technical aspects of Kendo and develop your understanding of Kendo by the process of thinking, learning, practicing and creating tactics. This article describes the learning of tactics for Kyu grade holders and 1^st~2^nd Dan grade holders.

1. Learning of Tactics for Kyu Grade Holders

It is quite often seen in Kyu grade holder’s Ji-geiko, Shiai and grading examination that they keep attacking big Men from the same distance and with the same timing. Similarly, their teachers are often seen giving advice to “Keep attacking” or “Give everything”. When one side starts moving and tries to attack big Men, the other side soon reacts and starts doing the same. As the result, they keep hitting each other’s Shinai before reaching their opponent’s Men and a successful strike does not happen for a long time. At this level, as described in Attitudes to Ji-geiko part 1, (BKA online news Issue #11 April 2004) it is certainly important for them to try to use techniques they have learnt in Kihon-geiko without hesitating and being shy. This would be their first simple, but important tactic. However, you cannot learn opportunities for attacking by repeating the same techniques from the same distance and in the same timing. Typically in Kendo, there are four opportunities for striking, which are; when the opponent begins to strike; when the opponent blocks a strike; when the opponent finishes a strike; and when the opponent moves back. In these, ‘striking when the opponent finishes a strike’ would be an important tactic for Kyu grade holders to learn and try during Ji-geiko with other Kyu grade holders. Taking a concrete example, many Kyu grade holders tend to go though either side of an opponent after attacking, exposing their back completely to their opponent just like they do in Kihon-geiko. When this happens to your opponent in Ji-geiko, you should immediately follow then and attack as the opponent turns around. An additional merit of learning this tactic is that it will make them realize the importance of trying always to keep an eye on their opponent whilst fighting as well as realizing that there is an opportunity to strike when an opponent takes their eyes off, loosing concentration

When Kyu grade holders have Ji-geiko with their seniors, they tend to feel, in many cases, difficulty in completing their attack and stop their attacking in the middle of an action or keep moving back. Then teachers and seniors shout, “Keep attacking” or “Give everything”. Unlike Kyu grade holders, their seniors do not expose their back during Ji-geiko (or at least they are not supposed to). In this instance, it is not easy for a Kyu grade holder to execute the tactic of ‘striking when the opponent finishes a strike’.

What is recommended for Kyu grade holders in Ji-geiko with their seniors is to try to kill their opponent’s Shinai before striking. This means that you do not just attack straight but try to deflect the tip of the senior’s Shinai by using Osae-waza (pushing the opponent’s Shinai down) and Harai-waza before striking (knocking the opponent’s Shinai from right to left, from the left to right, from the lower right to the upper left, from the lower left to the upper right, from the upper right to the lower left or from the upper left to the lower right) (see also Japanese-English Dictionary of Kendo, pp. 30-31). Of course, it does not mean that you can definitely score on your seniors if you use these. You will still be blocked by them. At this stage however, starting to learn ‘how to break the opponent’s centre’ which is the most basic and important tactic in Kendo, is quite important no matter how simple it is. This simple tactic of ‘breaking the opponent’s centre’ develops into more complicated and effective ones as you develop your footwork, Fumikiri, Fumikomi, speed and Te-no-uchi (I will explain this in detail later). As I described in ‘Attitudes to Ji-geiko Part 2 (BKA online news Issue #12 June 2004)’, Kyu grade holders should focus mainly on developing Shikake-waza. It is important not to be afraid of being dodged and counter attacked, and not to stop attacking in the middle of your action, but to try to complete your attack. In this article, I would like to suggest the use of ‘Osae-waza’ and ‘Harai-waza’ in your Ji-geiko (and of course you need to practice these in Waza-geiko as well).

Although this may not be directly related to the tactics, here I would like to add something about defence in Kendo, which I briefly mentioned in ‘Attitudes to Ji-geiko part 1’ . As a term “Bogyo no tame no bogyo nashi (no defence just for defence)” basically says that, in Kendo, defence is supposed to be done in order to promote the next attack and one has to make an action of attacking immediately after defending. This is also called ‘Ko-bo-icchi’ in traditional Kendo terminology. As described earlier however, even if Kyu grade holders try to attack immediately after defending their seniors attacking, the seniors should not show their back to them and so Kyu grade holders will not be skilful and fast enough to counterattack with Oji-waza or Kaeshi-waza. I suppose, on the contrary, that they have not learnt and acquired the basic skills of how to defend an opponent’s attack. Strangely enough, methods of defence are seldom taught but left to a practitioners’ self-learning and by experience in many clubs. Because of this, I think that many Kyu grade holders try to defend in their own (uneconomical) ways when they are attacked by their seniors and they have no opportunity to learn the idea of “Bogyo no tame no bogyo nashi”. Okajima (1992) points out that beginners’ anxiety and fear of opponents’ attacking would prevent them from finding opportunities for a strike. I suggest, therefore, that teachers show basic defence techniques to beginners before they are allowed to join Ji-geiko. Here what I mean by basic defence techniques is not to defend by only blocking an opponent’s Shinai by just using ones own Shinai.

What one has to be learnt are ‘Metsuke (positioning of the eyes)’ and ‘defence with Ki-ken-tai-no-itchi’. Beginners tend to stand and gaze only at their opponent’s Shinai and their hands tend to move as the opponent moves their Shinai. Therefore, they are quite often easily caught by a feint action such as ‘pretending to attack Men by lifting the arms up and actually attack Do’. According to the Japanese-English Dictionary of Kendo (2000, p. 62), Metsuke is explained as “The act of paying attention to the opponent’s whole body while looking into their eyes.” In addition, there is also another term to teach us the positioning of the eyes called ‘Enzan-no-metsuke (looking at a far away mountain)’. The Japanese-English Dictionary of Kendo (2000, p. 24) explains, “It is important to look at the figure of the opponent as a whole rather than at a particular point, as if looking at a far away mountain.” As for ‘defence with Ki-ken-tai-no-itchi’, when one defends, one needs to try to defend by keeping a positive mind and using the Shinai, footwork and body movement. The term ‘Ki-ken-tai-no-itchi’ is normally used for expressing the striking action, but its concept should also be applied to defence. It is not easy for beginners to do this. However, it is in your best interest, that you develop your Kendo through being struck over and over again, keeping proper posture and effective defence position, which will not necessarily be effective at first. In the future you will develop the skill to make a defence in the most efficient way. Okajima (1992) argues that strong defence is an important element in performance in Kendo. If that is so, then learning defence techniques with an understanding of “Bogyo no tame no bogyo nashi” at this stage will be quite useful towards helping execute high-level tactics in the future.

2. Learning of Tactics for 1^st ~2^nd Dan Grade Holders

It is assumed that practitioners at this level can make a sharp strike with small and quick hands and body movement and powerful Fumikiri and Fumikomi. I suggest therefore, that practitioners develop the simple tactics of Osae-waza and Harai-waza and try to attack with feint actions. As the practitioners at this level probably already know, even if you try to strike Men after Osae against someone at the same level or senior, in most instances their Shinai will be blocking the target before your Shinai reaches it, unless your attacking speed is very fast. The same thing will usually happen when you try to strike Kote after Harai from left to right. This suggests that using feint actions before striking are an important tactic. Of course, learning feint actions progress from simple ones to complicated ones. What I would like to introduce here for the practitioners at this level are quite simple feint actions and a slightly complicated one. Some examples of simple ones are, ‘pretend to attack Men after using Osae → make the opponent defend Men → then actually attack Kote or Do’ and ‘pretend to attack Kote after using Harai from left to right → make the opponent defend Kote → then actually attack Men’. This develops into slightly complicated ones such as ‘pretend to attack Kote-Men after using Harai from left to right → make the opponent defend Men → then actually attack Do’. What has to be remembered in trying to use these feint actions at this level is ‘act first! Outwit the opponent properly and then strike’.

For example, in the case of ‘pretend to attack Men after using Osae → make the opponent defend Men → then actually attack Do’, you need to lift up your Shinai with a big movement after using Osae to make your opponent believe that you are coming to strike Men and it is easy to defend it.

When trying to use ‘feint action then strike’, many practitioners tend to try to do it too quickly. This will result in not being able to act properly and your opponent will not defend as you wish. The practitioners at this level should remember that what is important for them is not to move fast, but by skilful and slightly exaggerated acts, to make their opponent judge that he / she can defend the target easily by using only their Shinai.

It is also assumed that practitioners at this level have some Tokui-waza (waza that they are good at and use with confidence to score). In addition to tactics with feint actions, what practitioners at this level are recommended to try is to develop their Ji-geiko with thoughts of when or in what situation they should use their Tokui-waza. Here I would like to ask you to stop reading for a while and think:

2 How long after the start of Ji-geiko or Shiai do you attempt your Tokui-waza?

3 What are the conditions of attempting your Tokui-waza? e.g. distance, timing

I would also like you to think about what type of opponent you think that you can / cannot score by your Tokui-waza.

Can you have a picture(s) of a particular situation(s) and type(s) of opponent(s)? How much you know in your Kendo depends on how clearly you can bring picture(s) in your mind. Even if you do not think that you have any Tokui-waza, I would suppose that at least you have your favorite Waza and I suggest that you start thinking of your tactics and how you can use your favorite Waza effectively in Ji-geiko and Shiai. If you cannot bring any picture of a situation and type of opponent, then use your Tokui-waza in your mind; I also suggest that you start reflecting how you fight after each Ji-geiko. As described in the previous article, thinking about the above things will not only help you develop your tactical ability, but also help you develop greater scope in your Kendo and deepen your understanding of the technical and psychological structure, the mechanism of each Waza and its interaction with others.

As well as using feint actions, there are ‘Sute-waza’ or ‘Mise-waza’ that you can use to develop your Ji-geiko and Shiai. Literary ‘Sute’ means to ‘throw away’ and ‘Mise’ means to ‘show’. The meanings of these words here as tactics in Kendo are ‘Waza that are used for the purpose not of scoring but planting different Waza in your opponent’s mind so that you can make your Tokui-waza work more effectively in later attacking’. Taking easy examples, to score your Tokui-waza, Kote-Do, you can attack simple Kote-Men a couple of times, make your opponent think that your Kote-Men is easy to defend and make the opponent defend by using only hands (then attack Kote-Do). You attack a powerful and sharp Kote a couple of times to score by Katsugi-Men later. An important point is that you should not attack by using only your hands but should attack with your whole body even if the Waza that you use is ‘Sute-waza’ or ‘Mise-waza’. Otherwise you will not be able to plant in your opponent’s mind the fact that you are attacking and you may get counterattacked easily.

Here again, you need to show ‘realistic acting’. Your Sute-waza or Mise-waza may reach a target even if you didn’t intend it. In that case, of course, you need to make it Ippon, so you need to use your Sute-waza’ or ‘Mise-waza with Ki-ken-tai-no-itchi.

Summary

As you gain experience, you are expected not only to develop your Tokui-waza and favorite techniques, but also to improve the Waza that you are not good at and to become able to deal with people whose type of Kendo is hard for you to fence. For this, as described in ‘Attitudes to Ji-geiko part 2’, continuing to avoid practicing with people who are hard for you to deal with is not a solution. It will remain your weak point. You should try to do Ji-geiko with them more often than with anyone else. Your attempt will fail and you will be struck again and again, but you cannot overcome this unless you keep trying. Learning through being struck is the way of developing Kendo. Of course, it is also important to try new techniques. However, do not try to do too many things in one Ji-geiko, but have appropriate task(s), considering your current ability and referring to your teacher’s teaching and advice.

The next article will discuss learning of tactics for 3~5^th Dan grade holders, and 6^th Dan grade holders and above.

References

The All Japan Kendo Federation (Zennihon Kendo Renmei). (2000) Japanese-English Dictionary of Kendo, Tokyo: Sato-Inshokan Inc.

Okajima, H. (1992) ‘Kosei-teki na Waza-zukuri no Sido-ho (Teaching that aims to develop pupils’ favorite techniques)’, in Zenkoku Kyoiku-Kei Digaku Kendo Renmei (the National Kendo Federation of Universities with Education Faculties). Zemina-ru Gendai Kendo (The Seminar on Modern Kendo), pp. 140-148. Tokyo: Madosya Ltd.

Honda, S. (2004) ‘Attitudes to Ji-geiko Part 1’, BKA News Online Issue #11 April 2004 or visit

http://www.kendo.org.uk/newsevents/newsletter/april04/

Honda, S. (2004) ‘Attitudes to Ji-geiko Part 2’, BKA News Online Issue #12 June 2004 or visit

http://www.kendo.org.uk/newsevents/newsletter/june04/

Gone but not forgotten… Apologies but this short article was missed in the December issue….

Stoke and Premier Cup 2004

If it was Sunday then this must be Stoke and the Premier Cup! The team matches had been interesting but now the critical eye would home in on individual performances. Again a good turn out with a total of 61 entries but the ladies showing was not as strong as it has been in previous years.

The competition got underway and ran smoothly through the opening rounds. There were some rather precise and neat displays of those lucky people coming forward on to the shai jo to go into sonkyo for their byes through to the next round. It makes one think surreal thoughts about a “Best Bye” award.

Mean while those that fought their way through were really warming up and again it was hard to know which court to look at as various fighters got to grips. Tim Purcell, the local boy from Kagamishin put every bit of himself into his 3 contests fully deserving his fighting spirit, especially with his new kiai. The final again saw Darren Cutting of Northumbria in another nail biting final show down but this time with Stuart “Gibbo” Gibson.

Just teasing…it definitely wasn’t this one……….

The 3^rd European Championships Jodo Stockholm 2004

The squad members and referees arrived on Sunday the 7^th of November

Monday morning the seminar started at 8.00 am, the Japanese delegation composed of

Shoichiro Iano Jodo Hanshi 8-Dan,

Shigenori Namitome Jodo Hanshi 8-Dan

and Shizufumi Ishido Jodo Kyoshi 8-Dan

who made sure that during the training all participants and referees alike were aware of the points and requirements needed for the Taikai.

It was a good session, which I am sure made every participant in the mood for the next day.

Unfortunately the French Team and referees could not make it in time, their absence was met with a bit of a surprise to say the least.

That same evening a meeting took place for all Squad Managers and officials from the European Kendo Federation at the office of the Swedish Budo Association, We all checked the modalities for the competitions, pools, correct names of the competitors and the code of dressing with the new system of showing the country flag and name of the players clearly visible on a zekken, and different points on the choreography of the events ahead, the meeting was, and always is to make sure that everyone plays his part correctly for the smooth running of the competitions, last point at the meeting was checking that all national Anthems for each country were ready to be played for all the gold medallists at the closing ceremony. I reply “ I forgot my tape” they all looked at me, and then replied “ How do you know you going to win anyway!” and I replied “Just checking!!”

The meeting ended on that note.

The next day the refereeing seminar started at 8.00am

I was then informed by an official member of the European Kendo Federation that I was chosen to be a referee and I would not be able to coach or advise the British Team in any way, I handed down info and instructions to Greg, then with everyone’s support I made my way in to the world of refereeing.

After a short break the Taikai for the individuals were

well underway, All participants entered the sports hall carrying their national flags, lining up for the beginning.

The Taikai started in good spirit. Three courts were used and four referees for each court were appointed. In the first break I was informed that our competitors were winning and nobody was out of the competition.

I continued to referee up to the end of the semi-finals,

I was pleased to find out that by now 4 of our members were in the finals

Andy Watson, Alan Nash, Peter Gibbens and Steve Boyes

Biting nails and exciting fights were under way and with great satisfaction

I could see the imminent victories unfold before my eyes

The National Anthem sounded three times, the closing ceremony and final Sensei and Officials speech concluded a successful day for the British Team , we made it back to the Hotel for a good celebration.

And the results were as follows

Peter Gibbens GOLD

Andy Watson GOLD

Alan Nash GOLD

Steve Boyes SILVER

Gavin Threipland BRONZE

Keith Rose BRONZE

Gareth Mason FIGHTING SPIRIT

The next day, we started at 8.30am for the continuation of the Taikai as Team Country competition and

our team was Peter Gibbens as Sempo, Andy Watson as Fukusho and Steve Boyes as Taisho

The refereeing was made so we could not referee our own country, which was fair for all.

The last fight was between Great Britain and Germany.

The Cup and medals were given to our team and while looking up with pride running high

The British National Anthem was playing once again and I could not forget the last words spoken at the management meeting, which put a smile on my face.

The Taikai concluded with the exit of all the teams carrying back the Countries flags and exiting the Dojo, another good day for our Squad.

CONGRATULATIONS !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you to all the team members that helped by performing, with good skills and also the Tachi side of the competition, without them it could have proved much more difficult to win.

“ It takes two to Jodo ”.

In the afternoon the gradings were on the way. The members of our association passed including Chris Buxton who passed his 6^th Dan with a good performance.

By now the Squad members made me an offer I could not refuse and re-named my position of Squad Manager, “ Who am I to argue anyway “

WELL DONE EVERYONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AND THANK YOU TO ALL THE MEMBERS INVOLVED IN THIS EVENT AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT SUPPORTED THE SQUAD THROUGHOUT THE 2004 SQUAD TRAINING AND THE 3^rd JODO EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP IN STOCKHOLM.

And a very special thanks to the “Barista” at the Hotel that kept my glass full at all times.

Yours Sincerely

(re-named)

THE SQUAD FATHER

Vito Tattoli

Darlington Seminar Report - 20^th & 21^st November 2004

...and other non-lucid thoughts

Contrary to tradition, I will not start this report with the words “It was a cold morning up in the frozen north” because I would guess that there are more interesting points of Darlington other than the fact it is cold. Like the curry houses for example.

Anyway, one cold and damp November morning saw us assembled once again at the Larchfield Sport Centre for this year’s Northern Iaido and Jodo Seminar. I will once again grab the opportunity to publicize once more the UK’s recent success at the European championships and that many of the medallists were there at the seminar to glitter and shine and pretend that seiza on a frozen floor doesn’t hurt.

Senor’ing this year were sensei’s Jock Hopson, Chris Buxton (the new shining jodo 6^th dan), Greg Drewe and Keith Rose. The popularity of this seminar has increased in the last few years and in a similar manner to Watchet, this year had to split to two venues. The poor lost jodoka had to traipse down the road to a local school where they could at least get the benefit of having windows in the dojo. Chris Buxton headed the jodo seminar and this year we focused on... you guessed it - basics. This was a reflection of the sort of seminars that the Japanese hold at the European events more recently, the importance being that once basic tandoku dosa techniques are “mastered” and become part of the natural muscle memory then they easily and correctly drop into the kata when the exponent has other distractions to think about i.e. not having his head caved in.

We followed the basic practice with kata practice going through any clarifications to the kata now that the ZNKR jodo manual has been formalized. We spent the rest of the day practicing the kata allowing grading practice for those grading on the Sunday. It did strike me during the training about how little “basics” practice we do. Even with the best intentions, paired hiki otoshi and gyakute uchi (harai) practice, a must-have bit of practice for jodo, seems to have all but disappeared from regular practice in the last few years. Squad training with Vito and Linda was the last time I remember doing any. This is such a critical part of training I wondered where it had gone. I worry that one of the effects of having a range of Japanese jodo teachers come over and teach their own particular taste of jodo (hikiotoshi being something in particular which changes with taste) is that exponents are no longer sure about what is the “right” way they should be doing a technique. Unfortunately the ZNKR jodo manual, while being extremely detailed and specific, does not give much explanation to the feeling of techniques and allows for variations in taste and style. Ah well.

Many of us met up for drinks at the Art Centre, as is traditional, but I don’t remember at any point Chris Buxton receiving a long-term joint injury, Alan Nash opening up his stomach with an under-the-bed screw (questions on a postcard please), or any internal surfaces of the hotel having inspection hatches installed on them. It must have been a quiet night.

I went to join the Iaido group the next day so can’t comment on the jodo AM practice but I’m sure it involved bits of wood hitting bits of wood (or forearm tendons). The Iaido session continued on from the previous day’s plan of highlighting the important parts of the seitei kata for gradings and once again making reference to the ZNKR manual (the Iaido one this time of course although I will pay the grading fees for anyone who tries to do their Iai grading with a jo).

BKA Iaido Safety Instruction 1.1.a - when performing ochiburi ensure you have plenty of space around you and that your hand is not too far forwards of your head...

I would at this point like to pay homage to Nobu Onishi Iaido yondan who did some inspiring demonstrations at the seminar. Nobu has been in the UK (as well as the rest of Europe) for a few months during a university study break. He won the All Japan University Iaido Championships at the age of 20 and has trained under many prestigious teachers such as sensei’s Shinada, Morita, Yamazaki (recently in Europe for the championships) and Oshita. While in the UK he trained at, amongst others, Eishinkan and Seishinkan and has been something of an inspiration for me. His style is very energetic and it is quite easy to see where he is placing his effort and he is very “emulateable” (I just made that word up!). I was most impressed when he turned up to support, well, lots of countries at the Europeans but even as a spectator he wore a suit and tie. Suburashii bugeisha da na!

The afternoon saw the jodo grading first which went well other than some of us having to chip the ice off the examining panel. A call of thanks to those who volunteered to provide tachi partnership for those grading and without partners. It does make good grading practice though, doesn’t it? The Iaido followed with a good turn out. Well done to all that passed. For those who didn’t - keep it up!

As an aside, during the seminar Jock asked a few mu/shodan grades if they would be interested in coming to squad training and being part of the squad. The common perception might have been that squad training was by invite only but I would like to emphasize that it is open to all comers. Notwithstanding whether you get picked for the squad/team or not, it is a good, cheap, few hours practice with high grades overseeing and will give attendees the chance to see what everyone else is doing. Furthermore, some of the old war horses will soon be disappearing from the potentials list either through being graded up or having too high grades to be in the 3-man teams. It would be great to see some new blood coming through (in the metaphorical sense).

My final random thought train takes me to the subject of the ZNKR manuals. It might be thought that we are being too reliant on these at seminars but I would like to comment that the national seminars are only reflecting what is happening at the European events where high-grade Japanese teachers are coming across. This in itself is a reflection of what is happening in Japan. Adherence to a technical standard is the call of the day and seems to be a strong factor in competitions as well.

Thanks to the teaching faculty who had to sit motionless through the gradings. A final thanks to Ian Applegarth for once again organizing a brilliant seminar. Even with the five-hour journey up to Darlington, it is always a pleasure and never a chore.

Andy Watson

Seishinkan Dojo, Ealing.

4th National Kendo Referees Seminar

Kashi no ki kenyu kai was pleased to host a five-hour kendo practice led by Howell, Budden and Honda sensei. There was an opportunity to cross swords with the British Men’s Team Captain, the previous Men’s Team Captain, the current British Champion as well other 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th dan members. So why weren’t you there?

Ok we are lucky enough to have high level practice nearly every week now with squad training, high grade sessions, Taikai, seminars, events and instructor visits so people can’t attend every event, something has to give. I also personally think it’s a mistake to call it a referee’s seminar because it isn’t just for people getting ready to grade or who are refereeing at the next Taikai. A much better name would be “Shiai day”. Everyone can come and everyone learns. The Kyu grades present got lots of opportunities to get used to the Shiai-jo, learn the calls and etiquette as well as why some strikes score and some don’t. Of course there were some good matches as well and keiko.

I’ve only been able to attend three of the four referees seminars but each one has been informative and enjoyable. I could have memorized the rulebook but I’m not really up to that yet so getting involved in these events and hearing and taking part in the discussions is a much more reasonable way to learn. The tuition was good as always and the small turnout means lots of individual attention.

What did we cover? Well it did exactly as it said on the tin so I won’t make a list for you. I did pick up a few interesting things such as the basic kamae against nito, the reasons for which sword should go in which hand and when nito players should be given hansoku for their kodachi technique as well as other more orthodox situations. If I hadn’t been injured I could have also had an excellent hours scrapping at the end. I did learn a lot by watching though and it stopped me being Gibbo fodder for once.

Kendo has many aspects, Shiai is a key part and refereeing puts people in a stronger position to compete. Can you really be successful in the long term without understanding what you can and can’t do and what can and can’t be done to you? Understanding datotsu is very important for all kendoka.

Well that leads me on to…

Honda Sensei visited Kashi no ki kenyu kai on 28^th November. The three-hour lesson was broken up into three sessions with the final session being Ji-geiko.

Again there’s no point listing the lesson content except to say that we worked on suburi, kihon and uchi komi geiko with kime as the main focus. What turns a hit into a cut? What goes between the hit and zanshin? How do you let the referees or the grading panel know that you know how to cut? If you want to know turn up. If you haven’t practiced with Mr. Honda yet you are really missing out. His sessions are excellent for kendoka of all experience levels. First timers and veterans seem to go away with a buzz and plenty to think about. The lesson finished with Sunday lunch at the Snooty Fox.

Thanks to all the visitors and the sensei for two successful sessions.

Rob Wix

Kashi no ki kenyukai

European Iaido and Jodo Championships

Stockholm 8^th-13^th November 2004

It was a cold and early start when some of the English Iai and Jodo squad members/referees and team managers met at Heathrow airport to start our journey to Stockholm for the European Jodo and Iaido Taikai

Expectations were high amongst the squad thanks to the input of our squad managers and coaches at all the training sessions we had attended throughout the year. We knew however that the competition would be tough with some excellent opponents lined up against us.

Right from the start we found the Swedish hospitality very good and the organisation absolutely fantastic as we were welcomed by Leif Sunje, president of the Kendo section of the Swedish Budo Association at the hotel, who presented us with a delegation pack and an umbrella!!! His weather forecasting skills were obviously much better than some of the pros in the UK.

The first day saw a general Jodo practice with input from the Japanese delegation on correct technique and Taikai points which everyone found to be clear and concise and of great benefit to all the countries. This year’s official ZNKR delegation consisted of

· Namitome Sensei 8^th dan Hanshi Jodo 8^th dan Kyoshi Iaido

· Yano Sensei 8^th dan Hanshi Jodo 7^th dan Kyoshi Iaido

· Yamazaki sensei 8^th dan Hanshi Iaido.

· Ishido Sensei 8^th dan Kyoshi Jodo 8^th dan Kyoshi Iaido

We relaxed that evening with a few beers, only a few as you needed a second mortgage to cover the cost of drink out there.

The individual competition started the next day at 8am, I didn’t know there was an 8am. We lost our squad manager straight away on refereeing duties, leaving myself in charge of the squad. This happened in the Iaido as well, I guess practice makes perfect.

Luckily with both the Iai and Jodo team they did not need any help it was more a case of “Cry havoc and unleash the dogs of war”. We started off well getting all our competitors through the pool stages. It was in the knockout rounds the wheels started coming of our war chariot. First with Gareth Mason being ousted by Payen from France then Rick Roberts falling to Ebermayr from Germany.

This left Peter Gibbens, Gavin Murray Threipland, Andy Watson, Steve Boyes, Keith Rose and myself in with a chance at grabbing a medal. Peter went on to win the Gold convincingly, Gavin took Bronze although we believe he should have taken the Silver, then Andy and Steve fought it out for Gold and Silver. These two have been battling each other for years with honours being traded about 50/50 - Andy won. Keith Rose took bronze and I took the Gold after finishing off both of the French entries who were looking good over the course of the day, I have to give credit to Keith Rose for partnering me throughout the day and keeping me on my toes with the speed of his cutting.

The third day and another early start this time the Jodo team event, our team this year consisted of Peter Gibbens, Steve Boyes and Andy Watson and you don’t get much better than these 3 for taikai’s. In their knockout matches they only dropped one flag in each bout that’s 8 out of 9 flags going to us against some very tough opposition. The full results are listed below.

Jodo Individuals

Mudan

1 Payen FR

2 Forssell Stahre SE

3 Hweiddi M JO

3 Bjarta SE

F.S. Mason GB

F.S. Hweidi B JO

Shodan

1 Gibbens GB

2 Arefiev RU

3 Wolny PL

3 Kitkowski PL

F.S. Malhas JO

F.S. Depetris IT

Nidan

1 Menon IT

2 Steffen FR

3 Ebermayr DE

3 Trembloy BE

F.S. Ribourdouille BE

F.S. Niklaus CH

Sandan

1 Groos NL

2 Machoczek DE

3 Klein DE

3 Threipland GB

F.S. Douez FR

F.S. Georges FR

Yondan

1 Watson GB

2 Boyes GB

3 Schmitz DE

3 Billaudeau FR

F.S. Tropschug DE

F.S. Zeegers NL

Godan

1 Nash GB

2 Champeimont FR

3 Rose GB

3 Lamotte FR

F.S. Scheibroek NL

F.S. Heuvelmans NL

Jodo Team

1 Great Britain

2 Germany

3 Austria

3 France

F.S. Arefiev RU

F.S. Menon IT

Many people took gradings after the team event but I would like to congratulate Chris Buxton on passing his 6^th dan Jodo, partnered by Rene Amersfoort. Many thanks have to go to Vito and Linda Tattoli our squad managers for all the support and work they put into this team, also thanks to the supporters namely the wives, girlfriends and English Jodoka who turned up. The full results can be viewed on the Swedish web site follow this link to get there. http://www.ec2004.se/ec.index.asp

Next up on the agenda was the Iaido seminar followed by the individual Taikai and then the team event. Once again the Swedish organizing coped well with the new influx of people from 15 different countries, they even had the local university supplying a team of trained chiropractors which quite a few of us took the liberty of getting injuries sorted out all for free.

As previously stated I ended up taking the roll of squad coach as well as my position as squad captain when Chris Buxton was taken away for referee duties.

The English team was made up of

John Clift Mudan

Wayne Edgar Shodan

Mike Kelly Shodan

Scott Halls Nidan

Peter Gibbens Nidan

Lee Mountain Sandan

Graham Turner Sandan

Gavin M-Threipland Yondan

Andy Watson Yondan

Val Hodges Godan

Alan Nash Godan

Greg Drewe Rokudan

Chris Buxton Rokudan

And the 3 people for the team event

Scott Halls

Gavin Murray Threipland

Andy Watson.

Once again we started of well getting most of our players through the pool rounds, with the exception of both Sandan’s and Val Hodges in the Godan group, such is the level that we are competing at now in the European’s that to get as many through as we did was no mean feat.

Once into the knock out stages we started losing a few more people leaving the medal tally at.

Mudan

1 Manigrasso FR

2 Prib DE

3 Wojtasik PL

3 Cha SE

F.S. Dahl FI

F.S. Clift GB

Shodan

1 Gross NL

2 Gomy FR

3 Stolwijk NL

3 Olsson SE

F.S. Derra DE

F.S. Gruber AT

Nidan

1 Ta FR

2 Strom SE

3 Halls GB

3 Borrias GB

F.S. Bjuhr Escalante SE

F.S. Leung FR

Sandan

1 Sunje SE

2 Debacq FR

3 Bischoff DE

3 Losson FR

F.S. Aris NL

F.S. Arefiev RU

Yondan

1 Andy Watson GB

2 Lindgren SE

3 Gavin Murray Threipland GB

3 Cengizalp FR

F.S. Defraeye BE

F.S. Casamassima IT

Godan

1 Schiebroek NL

2Menegatti IT

3 Alan Nash GB

3 Lund SE

F.S. Kabariti JO

F.S. Malm SE

The team event was spectacular to watch with a lot of matches going to the last fight and once the pool system was finished a lot of the stronger teams started falling by the wayside England took out Belgium and Netherlands on their route to the final to meet Sweden after they had polished off Italy and Jordan.

Sweden drew first blood in the final winning 2 flags to 1 next up Andy Watson winning 3 flags to 0. Leaving Gavin to go out last against the person who beat him in the individual competition, Andy was showing some nerves now thinking that Gavin was worried about his opponent as when they bowed to each other at the start Andy thought he heard Gavin say something about losing to him. He need not have worried as what Gavin said was “Oh good, revenge!” Gavin then went out in the last fight with a blistering performance, only to have a little trouble with his sageo on the final reiho, nearly pulling the kurigata of his saya. Luckily the flags went 2 to him and 1 to the Swede giving the UK the Team Gold again.

There was a special award of a shinken up for grabs at the end of the team event, this was decided by the Japanese delegation and went to our very own Andy Watson.

Final round up was

Iai Team

1 Great Britain

2 Sweden

3 Italy

3 Netherlands

F.S: Menegatti IT

F.S: S.Kabarati JO

Sponsor Shinpancho Special Award Watson, GB

Right nearly done only one final competition to report on and that is the Hayashizake Goodwill Cup. This was a chance for the 6^th dans to show there stuff we had two entries Chris Buxton and Greg Drewe, unfortunately Greg went out in the early stages, but had competed with a heavy cold, Chris went on to take a bronze medal and the final results looking like this.

1 Demuynck BE

2 Momiyama SE

3 Buxton GB

3 Amoruso IT

I will round up by saying thanks to all the British contingent wife’s supporters’ judges and the participants, well done, and a final thank you to the Swedish Budo organisation for holding a well-run event, all the hard work and effort was worth it. See you all in Italy next year.

Alan Nash with English to English translation by Andy Watson

Seishinkan Dojo

TSUNAMI DOJO

Watchet Kendo Seminar 21st May 2005

With Grading: 1^st Kyu to 3rd Dan: 22nd May 2005

Website: www.tsunamidojo.co.uk

e-mail: info@tsunamidojos.co.uk

Home tel:01984631114

Mobile no:07786936456

Dear colleagues

This years Watchet Kendo Seminar will be held at:

Danesfield school Williton Somerset, TA4 4SW.

On the weekend of the 21st & 22nd May 2005

GRADING

Please remember that grading applications must be submitted to the BKA grading officer 2 months before

Grading cheques made payable to:

BKA account No. 3123 5204 & send with the grading applications to the grading officer.

Please bring your BKA Licence & membership card to the seminar.

Fees:

Saturday only =£20:00

Saturday & Sunday = £30:00

Sunday = £10.00

Seminar Cheques made payable to: BKA. Account No 3123 5204

Send with the booking form to:

Mr A G ROWE.

23 REED CLOSE

WATCHET

SOMERSET.

TA24 OEE.

Timetable and booking information

SATURDAY

Doors open at 09:00 am for prompt start at 10;00 am

LUNCH 1-2 PM - practice ends at 16;00 hrs (4:00pm)

SUNDAY

Doors open at 09:00 am for prompt start at 10:00 am

LUNCH 1-2 pm Grading from 2pm.

ON BOTH DAYS THE BUILDING MUST BE CLEARED BY 17:00 [5pm]

Thank you

Best Regards

Adrian Rowe - Tsunami dojo

ACCOMODATION ADDRESSES: B&B

STD CODE (01984)

TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE

01643 702624

Blue anchor hotel, Bue anchor, Minehead TA24 6JP ( 640239 )

Dragon house hotel, Blbrook, Minehead TA24 6HQ (640215)

Green bay, Wshford, Watchet TA23 ONN (640303)

Hall farm guesthouse, 5 station road, Sogumber TA4 3TQ (656321)

Hilltop, 46a Brendon road, Watchet, TA23 OHX (631791)

Raleghs cross-inn hotel, Brendon hill, Exmoor, TA23 OLN (640303)

West Somerset hotel, 17 Swain Street, Watchet, TA23 OAB (634434)

The Georgian house, swain street Watchet, TA23 OAD (639279)

Ratcliffe house B&B, harbour road, Watchet, TA23 OAQ (634246)

Rose cottage, 2 esplanade lane, Watchet, TA23 OAH (633634)

Severn house, Market Street, Watchet, TA23 OAN (633922)

Seyburns, 14 market street, Watchet, (631208)

Snailholt, St.decumans lane, Watchet, (634427)

The green, 25 west street, Watchet, TA23 OBQ, (633313)

Hartnells, 28 long street, Williton, (634777)

Wyndham house, 4-sea view terrace, Watchet, TA23 ODF (631881)

The langbury, Bue anchor, Minehead, TA24 6LB (01643, 821375)

TOURIST CARAVAN & CAMPING SITES

Haven holidays, doniford bay Holiday Park, Watchet TA23 OTJ (01984, 632423)

TO PREVENT APPLICATIONS FROM BEING RETURNED PLEASE MAKE

ALL CHEQUES PAYABLE TO: the BKA.

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YOUR ADDRESS; ----------------------------------------------

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PLEASE CIRCLE

SATURDAY ONLY £20

SATURDAY & SUNDAY £30

SUNDAY £10

Under 18 years old: half price

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INTERNATIONAL KENDO ENBU TAIKAI

Edinburgh Scotland

July 1^st – 3^rd 2005

IKET will consist of: -

Friday 1^st July: Kendo Seminar.

Saturday 2^nd July: Kendo Enbu Taikai and Demonstrations.

Sunday morning of 3^rd July: Ji-Geiko with Sensei[s].

Accommodation will be set at Edinburgh University.

Single rooms with Shared Facilities.

Venue: Pleasance Sports Centre at the University.

Costs.

There are various prices involved.

1. Application to Seminar and Enbu Taikai.

2. Accommodation with Breakfast and 3 courses Dinner.

3. Accommodation with Breakfast only.

4. Ticket to Sayonara Party.

Accommodation Nights.	30^th June Thursday.	1^st July Friday	2^nd July Saturday	3^rd July Sunday	Number Required	Total Cost. £.
Bed & Breakfast only. @ £33 per/p/n.
Bed & Breakfast with Dinner @ £43 per/p/n
Seminar and Enbu Taikai @ £35 per/p	------------	Ok	Ok	Ok
Sayonara Party @ £18 per/p	_______	_______	Ok	_______

Please make Cheques or Cash transfers Payable to: - The British Kendo Association.

Account No. 31235204 Bank sort code 60-15-08

National Westminster Bank plc. Grey Street, Newcastle upon Tyne. NE99 1PY

Name of Country________________________________

Signed by President [Not required if BKA member]___________________________

Signature___________________(Print)_________________

Send all forms to:

Gillian Riddoch
30/1 Morrison St,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8BJ

Participants

Booking Form Edinburgh University.

Accommodation

Details.	Grade	Age	M/F	30/6	1/7	2/7	3/7	Party £15	Seminar/Taiki £50
Full Name
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Full Name

Address

Tel: No.

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Full Name

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Tel.No

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Full Name
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Send all forms to:

Gillian Riddoch
30/1 Morrison St,
Edinburgh,
EH3 8BJ

The 20^th KODOKAN International KENDO Seminar

Friday 19th to Sunday 21^st August 2005

Supported by The BRITISH KENDO ASSOCIATION

____________________________________________.

With

MASATAKE SUMI 8^th DAN, HANSHI,

Assisted by Junichi Tashiro 8^th Dan Kyoshi and Morio Kumamoto 7th Dan Kyoshi

With Junpei Matsumoto 7^th Dan Nagao Sensei 7^th Dan Enomoto sensei 7^th Dan

This Years Seminar will take place at our Dojo in the Princess Marina Sports Centre, Rickmansworth. Herts.

All location details are on our website: www.pabudden.com/kodokan

The official Check in is from 9am on Friday.

This seminar is fully residential ONLY: Inc. Accommodation/ Light lunch/ Evening Meal, Friday & Saturday (plus Breakfast) and Breakfast/ Lunch on Sunday.

All single room accommodation.

NO External visits or attendance will be permitted

PRICE £200.00.

As in previous seminars, there will be a practice on Thursday evening 11^th September and bed & Breakfast are available, prices as indicated on the application form.

Places are limited to seventy, so please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

On Thursday the 18^th there will be a special senior grade practice for one day only, for 4^th Dan and above and Dojo leaders even if their grade is less than 4^th Dan.

Times: from 9am until 12pm and 2pm until 5pm. The cost for this practice will be £35 per person inc.lunch and you do not have to be participating in the rest of the Seminar, to attend. [But you do need to apply, please use the application form]

On Sunday the 21^st August, there will be a Dan examination

1^st Dan to 5^th Dan. This grading is open to participants of the seminar only,

No external candidates will be accepted. Full details from the BKA grading officer: Mr Keith Dawick

This seminar takes place only once a year, so don’t miss it!

I am as always, indebted for the continuing support of Sumi Sensei in this the 20^th Seminar. Don’t forget: SEVENTY PLACES ONLY. Please apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Best regards. Paul BUDDEN

APPLICATION FORM for the 20th KODOKAN International Open KENDO Seminar: 19^th to 21^st August 2005

Please reserve (No of places at £200).................

Payment enclosed. (Please circle) Full. £200. Deposit. £50.

Balance due: £ 50 by 25^th April. £50 by 25^th June. £50 by 25^th July.

NAME………………………………………………………..[m/f]…….

ADDRESS…………………………………………………………………

………………………..Tel No…………………e-mail…………………...

GRADE……………AGE…………NO.YEARS PRACTICE……………

PHYSICAL CONDITION OR SPECIAL NEEDS (No funnies please).

……………………………………………………………………………..

DIETRY NEEDS…………………………………………………………..

I do/not require evening meal on Thursday 18^th @ £10

Bed &Breakfast Thursday night [arrival time........…..]

and Friday morning @ £22 [please delete or indicate total] £……….

I wish to attend the special senior practice on Thursday the 18^th @ £35 Inc lunch. [Yes/no]

Please add all of the amounts to your final payment total here. £…….....

Send this form with your payment ASAP. Cheques payable to:

KODOKAN Kendo Dojo. C/O Paul BUDDEN. No 1 Bayman Cottages, Lye Green Road, Chesham, Bucks. HP5 3NQ.

Maps and itinerary will be sent out on receipt of your final payment.

Refunds for cancellation [in full less admin charges] will only be made if notification is given before the 31^st July 2005

Attendance is at the organiser’s discretion.

Last Words

We would like to have the ability to communicate via email with every single BKA dojo. The contact doesn’t need to the dojo leader or secretary, though this is preferable - any member of your dojo could be a point of contact. This will greatly assist in distributing information. Please email your dojo contact information to Webmaster.

Also, if dojo could check their contact information on http://www.kendo.org.uk/ and make sure any email addresses are valid that would help us greatly.

* Any dojo that are hosting events are more than welcome to send out documentation with the newsletter. The newsletter comes out every 2^nd month. See the contact Submission Guidelines / Contact Details at the top of the newsletter.

* Reminder: National Phone Line - 01494 581503. This is for information only and has a recorded message. This is to generate a written response to enquiries received from other than the web site [Combat magazine/ libraries and other sources] together with information leaflet and a Dojo list. We would appreciate if you would circulate this number, wherever you may feel the need for people to contact the Association who may not have Internet access.

Please help our web presence by 1. If you have a dojo website that is not listed on the website please supply it to us: 2. Adding a link to http://www.kendo.org.uk/ to your website; 3. If you already have a link please ensure that it points to the correct URL: 4. If you have a BKA dojo listing please remove it ASAP - you are displaying wrong information.

* Visit the BKA website - http://www.kendo.org.uk/

Thanks for your time and best regards from the News Online team.

Data Protection Act 1998 The Association reserves the right to [a] hold your membership record - name, address, telephone /fax number and e-mail address [if any] and Kendo, Iaido or Jodo interests notified to the Association by you, on computer as part of the Association’s membership list, [b] to distribute that list among Association members, and[c] to disclose your name and address to the Association’s printer/distributor to permit the distribution of the ‘ BKA News Online’ by them by means of computer generated address labels, along with any loose advertising material the Association or it’s editor may wish to include with a particular issue of the publication. Members who object to this may register their objection in writing to the Association’s Secretary and their names and data will then be removed from the computer record and lists for the future. Your consent to these procedures will be presumed unless you object.