The Omachi Kendo Seminar
Two of our former members, Ryan and Crystal, as well as our favorite exchange student, Ayumi, recently had the pleasure of attending the Omachi Kendo Seminar held by Chiba Sensei in Japan. Here is a first hand description of the events:
Crystal, Ayu and I were invited by Kimura Sensei (who Dave and the MKC
introduced us to back in October 2002, Thank you!) to The Omachi Kendo Dojo
for a kendo seminar with Chiba Sensei, thats right CHIBA Sensei from Tokyo!
(sorry I still have an adrenaline rush... hee hee). Anyway, We took around 7
trains and 10 hours to get there but it was well worth it.
Thursday night we arrived and were picked up by Kimura Sensei. He took us to
his Mother's home where we would be staying... (Dave you have been there so
you know what it is like) His mother is SO NICE!!! and she didn't stop
feeding us the whole time we were there! At 6:30 there was a get together
and we were introduced to Chiba sensei, Hana sensei from tokyo and most of
the higher-ups in the Omachi club. After a few speeches the eating and
Drinking began... and oh boy was there drinking!! lets leave it at this....
Your glass is never empty for like 6 hours and the Sensei can drink the
most... but you guys already know that (sorry its my first time to
experience this type of thing so I am very excited)!
On Friday, About 20 Kendoka including Chiba Sensei and us gathered for Chiba
sensei's Kata seminar. We practiced Kata for 4 hours and went over all of
them. I personally got to do #'s 1, 3, 6, 7 and all 3 with the short bokken
with Chiba Sensei. At 3:30pm we did Keiko practice. Everyone played with
Chiba sensei and Both Crystal and I got to play with Kimura Sensei as well.
Crystal hit Chiba Sensei's KOTE! So Chiba Sensei kept doing men push men,
kote push men untill he pushed her out of the dojo door! then he laughed and
helped her back in.... He didn't do anythin like that with anyone else....
After the Keiko we went to an old traditional Japanese hotel on a lake where
I went to the onsen bath with Chiba Sensei and he taught me how to use
it.... he laughed when I said " AAAGGGHHH Sugoi atsui de-sho-ne!!" at the
Heat of the onsen! At dinner Kimura sensei sat us right across the table
from Chiba Sensei. and both of them talked to us all night! Chiba sensei
said that our kendo is really good and offered us a drink of the whiskey
that only he and the other 7th dan sensei were drinking.
Finally, we had to leave with Kimura Sensei. And then we slept and woke up
and rode on another 7 trains for 10 hours to come home. It was well worth
it. The kendo was such a high level and we learned so much from all of the
Sensei there. We are very priviledged to have practiced with them when
Crystal and I are only Shodans and Ayu a Nikkyu.
I have attached a picture of us at the dojo the day of the seminar.
Cheers,
Ryan
Here are the two pictures that were sent to me, taken at the seminar.
Ayumi, Ryan, Chiba Sensei, and Crystal
If you have any questions please contact: hfxkendo@hotmail.com