tournament

Photos


Quick dip in the onsen again, then breakfast. Everyone piled onto the bus and we headed over to the sports center. Opening ceremony, speeches, then I and Tanaka-sensei and Naganuma-sensei did some cutting demos.
The tournament started and I was judged the lower division with Naganuma-sensei on C court. Ended fairly quickly, and tore through the rest of the divisions until my division started, on D court. I was third up. Second up Nishihara-san, palm sweaty, droppped his sword. Into his right foot. Blood spread in crimson blobs. I threw in my two tenugui (towels) and grabbed the bandage out of my case. His foot was wrapped, leg tourniquated, and we put him on a tatami mat and carried him out to the front door. Awaiting the ambulance, I ran back to tell everyone what was going on and was told "tournament's still going on, waiting on you!" so I grabbed my sword and stepped onto the floor. Right were he had cut his foot. Most of the blood was already cleaned up, but in my mind I could still see that big crimson blob, like to circles joined, thick and dark. Needless to say my concentration was not exactly on, and I lost 2 to 1.
Interesting, as we were in Yamaguchi and the Yamaguchi folks were doing well. The judged was...interesting. Can't really say it was bad, but obviously there are some ways of doing things that need to be more standardized. For example all the non-Tokyo folks start shiho facing straight forward, which means the second cut is done with the back to the judges. We're taught this is a no-no, which is why we do shiho starting on a 45-degree angle to forward left. Also other little things; arm placement, height of the sword tip after cutting...small details which I'm sure all the sensei will be discussing and normalizing. It was a good learning experience, and I'm glad the Yamaguchi folks did well, as they worked hard to put the tournament together for all of us.
Niina-gosoke was judging the final for 5/6dan (highest division), and he actually raised his flag for Tanaka-sensei's opponent, giving Tanaka-sensei 2nd place. Niina-gosoke's comment was that we all have to refocus on basics, as he's been saying all along: when the foot steps down, the blade must be in cutting position, not still back above your head. This is why he didn't give Tanaka-sensei the flag, and why many of us lost. So it's back to practice!
At least my cutting went ok, and in the team division I tied with Sanno-sensei, so that's my major accomplishment for the day.
After the tournament we said good-bye to the bus and got a ride to the Tanaka Hotel. Checked in and hit the onsen before dinner. Nice hot soak and then a glorious dinner in the room. Hiroko and I were both beat so it was time for sleep.

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