Thundergodding

It's always a risk. Stepping into combat. During godogeiko I paired up against someone near my age, same size (big), lower rank however.

He came around for a men...and missed. He struck me square upside the head, right above the ear, full contact.

Lights out...

my elbow hit the ground and woke me up, but by then I was rolling forward and tried to tuck my shoulder before I came crashing down.

I laid on my back for about 30 seconds. Trying to get the ringing in my ear to ease. I sat up with help took off my men, went over and sat down a grabbed water.

I watched myself very closely for a week and told my wife to call 911 if I threw up or passed out. I took a week off of Kendo to manage my blood pressure.

I dont believe I have a severe concussion, but damn that sucked.

Shuhari - Protect, Digress, Transcend

My Sensei came back for a visit, to observe my teaching and to talk to us for the first time after we have received YonDan. He said he was very proud of our growth and accomplishments.

He gave his advice for continuing the dojo. He mentioned that at Ito Dojo everyone is welcome. There cannot be any limitations to those that want to learn, we must accept and teach anyone wanting to learn - otherwise we cannot be Ito Dojo.

He mentioned that Ito Tsutomu had this motto, and if we were to call ourselves ITO DOJO, we need to educate anyone wanting to learn. We should be a friend to everyone, and remove ourselves from conflicts. 

He then mentioned Shuhari. 

Shu is to learn the fundamentals, to do as you are told, to obey and follow, to protect the ideas.

Ha is detach from the fundamentals and begin personal growth/path.

Ri is to transcend, leaving the rigid nature in the past and becoming more than what you were taught.

He told us with all of our dojo changes, our promotions and with everything that has occurred, he can now see we are developing HA. He mentioned to us that this was an important stage for our Kendo, as we need to remember our past but not be bound to it.

 It is time to develop our own paths.

As I mentioned previously in past posts, I understand now that the development of my Kendo is no longer just a personal pursuit. I need to elevate and support the Kendo Community and help in the education of individuals I interact with. 

We find our way, being lead, then leading.

I was able to help proctor the 2015 AUSKF Yudansha test yesterday.

I watched very closely the movements, waza etc of the 5.Dans to see where I have to be for my 4.Dan test next year. It was a great opportunity to have a court side seat.

Out of around 50 people testing for the ranks of 5Dan, 6Dan and 7Dan.

Only 6 people passed. 4 of those were 5 Dan, and 2 were 6.Dan. 

One take away I had from the Shinsa, is that many of the 5 Dans (largest group) lacked zanshin. Many just stood and struck, they did not run through, they did not strike with their being. They opened a point, struck the point, and then halted and kiai’d at their opponent. I wondered why? 

Striking THROUGH your opponent is one of the fundamental components to Ki-Ken-Tai-Ichi. I believe this may be why many of them failed, they didn’t commit everything to their strike.

We are meant to strike our point, without regard to our own lives.