Clear Lake Iaido

I drove directly to the Menger Hotel in downtown San Antonio next to the River Walk, and arrived about 4pm. After a few tours of the dealers room and the exhibit area (ikebana & bonsai) I ran into John Ray and a few students from Denton. We retired to the hotel bar to visit until all had arrived (14 total) then wandered the river walk until someone at the head of the group decided to stop at a barbecue place. I wasn't very hungry so I got a barbecue sampler appetizer which turned out to be almost as large a serving as the entrees. After dinner Jack and Mark followed me to Boerne (30 minutes north of San Antonio) to stay at the house. We arrived there at 11pm to find Yuri and Anya waiting in their car for us since they had driven directly to the house. [Background: the weekend I was in Denton I offered to put up anyone who wanted crash space] By the time Mark had helped me to move some furniture out of my van, the beds were assigned, sheets & pillows were distributed and everyone was bedded down it was well after midnight.

The next morning we rose early so we could make the demonstrations that began at 9am. Before the guys left I had them help me move a stone bench into my van. The demos ran from 9 to 2 and included Tameshigiri, Aikido, Jodo, Kyudo, Kenjutsu, Kendo, and at least four different styles of Iaido. I didn't see them all, but did see the Jodo, Kenjutsu, Kyudo, Kendo, and three of the four Iaido demonstrations. Those demonstrating Iaido were a large combined group of Dallas and San Antonio students of Zen ken Renmei Iaido (the Iaido of the All Japan Kendo Federation), John Ray and about 10 of his students from beginner on up, and Darrell Craig and a few of his senior students. After the demos I finished up my shopping. There were more dealers than at the Houston Sword Show selling more diverse wares including fine porcelain & china, clothing, books, videos, and of course swords. Nosyuiaido was there and I spent a lot of time (and money) there shopping and visiting with Rick Polland and Scott Irey. They didn't have a lot of stock so I ended up ordering an iaito which should arrive in about 6 weeks, and when it gets here my other iaito will become a loaner. At another table I bought a wakazashi. Interestingly enough I first saw it at the Houston show but didn't get it then because I knew I would be at this larger one and thought I might find a better one for a better price. Instead I ended up talking the dealer down on his price. I got some other items such as a video of tameshigiri, a book on seppuku by Jack Steward, a Lady Snowblood video (samurai movie), a new sword obi (anyone want my old one?), and other things. All my boarders, except for Jack, left shortly after the demo. I left the show that afternoon to visit my sisters in Boerne and dismantle a dresser and bookcase. While helping me load the pieces of furniture in the van a storm suddenly moved in causing the temperature to plummet. I had been very hot and still that day, now it was windy and cool with lots of rain and some hail. After my sisters left I stayed up reading until 12:30 then concluded he must have decided to stay at the hotel with his Nosyuiaido friends. About 2 or 3am I was woken up by knocking on the door. It was an apologetic Jack. Apparently the service at the restaurant they were at was very slow, and was followed by a long conversation in the hotel lobby.

We got up early (again) to make an open practice session of The River City Iaido Kyokai that started at 9am. At the registration table where I paid the mat fee, they were taking orders for sushi (yay!). I arrived in the middle of warm ups. Kono (don't know the rest of his name) sensei from Seattle was the guest instructor that morning. After warm ups we practiced several katas including Shahatto and a few from the Seitei Gata. He gave instruction on basic principles to the class as a whole and also worked with individuals. He talked with me about iaigoshi (not the sitting posture but the idea of keeping the hips low). His style appears to be a mix of Eishin Ryu and Muso Shinden Ryu (the noto is Eishin, but the chiburi is Muso Shinden). At the end of the iaido class he did a demonstration of the Seitei Gata that was truly inspiring. Then the iaidoka retired to the edge of the floor to watch the kendoka do their thing, and attempt conversation (Kendo practice is loud,-- lots of yelling). Did I mention we were on a hard wood floor (basket ball court)? My insteps hurt more than my knees during practice, but it was the knees that were sore the next day. After kendo class was over we all collected our sushi and retired outside to eat and visit. I drove home tired but happy to have spent a wonderful weekend with others who love the sword.

© 2001       Last Updated: 2001.12.16       Credits