BKA Iaido Bu yearly Report 2007

Executive & Iaido Members

The year 2007 proved to be a year of progress for the Iai fraternity in the BKA, it is heartening to see a steady progress in both numbers of people practising as well as the rise in technical quality of adherents to the discipline here in the UK.

Watchet this year proved to be even more successful in both numbers attending and also quality, proved by the success rate in grade passes on the last day of the seminar, The enthusiasm of the participants at this event was quite infectious for all the instructors who gave their time and experience to this event.

Ishido sensei visited the UK at Easter to hold a much needed Koryu seminar at Stevenage, this event was extremely well attended by all levels of practitioners within the BKA & guests from abroad, where I’m positive, everybody no matter what level of practise gleaned much needed knowledge, to say it was successful is an understatement.

The National Championships were held in the University of Brighton early in July this year with both Jodo and Iai sharing the weekend between them, the number of entrants seemed to have stalled this year albeit still well attended by the enthusiastic. The Bu will continue to preach to the unconvinced that Taikai is an integral part of ones training and it is no different than if the student takes part in a grading, so encouragement and nagging will still continue into 2008 for everybody to participate in this event no matter what level they are.

The Summer seminar in August was an extremely well attended seminar, so popular that the bu had to limit numbers and return approx 50 applicants to the event, provision was made of course for any applicants to still take an exam, the popularity for the seminar was due of course to the attendance of six senior Japanese sensei led by Kishimoto, Ishido & Morita sensei, I certainly didn’t believe the rumour that the good attendance was due to the fact that the sensei were going to be playing a starring roll as part of the cabaret at the sayonara party. To state yet again that the event was successful really is an understatement, the teaching, patience and goodwill exuded by the visiting sensei was might I say awesome.

The European Iaido and Jodo Championships held in Paris was attended as usual by a British contingent whose enthusiasm is to be commended bearing in mind the standard of accommodation offered them, full marks for their grit and determination to do well in what was not ideal circumstances. We didn’t win the team event, which was not due to our lack of talent but a combination of ever rising standards in other European participants, and I must state, some appalling standards in Judging.

Perhaps this is not the forum to air such views but unless something tangible is acted upon by the EKF I envisage discontent followed by a lack of interest by participating nations for this event. The Iaibu will certainly lobby this coming year for an organised European refereeing seminar. (Full results will appear on the Web site)

The Darlington seminar held in November is becoming more and more popular with new separate dojo accommodation now available allowing both Iaido & Jodo ample room to practise. The participation among members for this event is ever growing due to the keenness and organisational skills of Ian Applegarth & Bill Davison. Congratulations are certainly in order for a great weekend. I’m sorry that I personally could not attend this year.

Last but not least I would like on a personal level to thank every member of the Bu who have supported the 2007 events, like any dojo it’s not the dojo leader that make it successful but the members of that dojo with the leaders encouragement & guidance that make it successful, so likewise it’s the same with the bu.

A special thanks must go to Chris Buxton, Greg & Lesley Drewe, for their unstinting work over this past year. Andy Watson of course who’s co-operation between the bu’s made organisation so much easier plus of course Dougie Evans.

My last acknowledgements go of course to all the senior teaching grades for giving up their valuable time to teach, guide, bully and encourage all our members throughout the year to attain their goals.

Vic Cook