Event Report - 2002 January, Tanida-sensei Seminar in League City
This is an edited version of the event report sent 2002 February 10 to Clear Lake Iaido and the-dojo list.
Background: Tanida-sensei, an 8thdan in MJER from Japan, was in Houston on business the last week of January, and we were very fortunate that he had time on the weekend (Jan. 26-27) to meet with us to practice Iaido. We were also very fortunate that our sensei, John Ray, and a number of his other students in Denton, Dallas, Baton Rouge, and Nacogdoches were able to come as well.
After two weeks of preparing house and dojo, the much awaited day finally arrived. I left that afternoon to pick up Tanida- Sensei from his hotel on the other side of Houston, while Joe went to the dojo to open it up for early arrivals. The trip up was OK, but the return trip took much longer due to a bottle neck at an overpass. By the time we got there several folks were already dressed and on the mat, and shortly later the Budobus (Jack's new car) arrived with the rest of the folks from Denton. Others participating in the practice that night were: Brad Williams, Jimmy Crow, Scott Dubose, Susan Burke, Jack Bieler, Neil Melancon, Doug Wylie, Will Schutt, Yury Maravin, and John Ray-Sensei. That night I was very surprised to find a large box full of wonderfully silk-screened T-shirts in all sizes, and different colors & weights with the Clear Lake web site, MJER Iaido kanji, and iai illustrations on the front and back,-- all courtesy of Jimmy Crow (thanks Jimmy!). After briefly visiting with friends we hadn't seen in a while, we all got changed and on the mat. That night he worked with us a long time on the Seiza and Batto Ho sets. Through out the seminar he stressed over and over that this is a martial art, and doing the kata without intent, without an enemy in mind, is not Iaido,-- it's just Japanese dancing. Unfortunately I did not have time to set the camera up before we started, so the only footage I got from Saturday was a little of the one-on-one practice at the end between Tanida-Sensei and Scott & Jimmy (the two newest students), and the group photo. Thanks to Scott's wife (I'm sorry that I have forgotten her name) we got some additional camera shots of the group. After practice we all went out to eat at a local Mexican restaurant that was open late. We had a good time visiting and enjoying great food. During the dinner Neil and Doug presented Tanida-Sensei with a sampler of Louisiana food, and afterwards took him back to his hotel (they reported he slept soundly during the trip), while the folks who were staying at my house followed me home. After getting a cheery fire going, we relaxed, talked, and got everyone situated with respect to sleeping arrangements.The next morning I arose early to start making breakfast for everyone. Doug helped out by making the coffee while I fixed the bacon, eggs, waffles, and oatmeal. The first pot did not pass muster (they blamed the Texas water or air or something), but the second pot was deemed a success. In addition, John beat the eggs that I cooked, David made hash browns (hash blues?) using purple potatoes (to go with the blue corn waffles), Neil fixed the toast, and Susan helped me to dish out the eggs. With the food on hand plus that brought by guests we were well prepared if we had to undergo a long siege. After a leisurely meal we jumped up and got ready to go. Joe got Tanida-Sensei and brought him to the dojo. This time I made sure the camera was positioned and ready. As a result I got a lot of great footage from the Sunday practice, however I missed getting Seiza yet again due to forgetting to change the tape during a break, but I did get Batto Ho, Toho, Okuiai, and Tate Hiza. We started the Sunday practice with the presentation of certificates to those present who passed their test in December (see 2001 December, Shodan Shiken & Greg Huff Seminar in Denton for a description of that event), those being: Joe (shodan), myself (shodan), Will (shodan), Yuri (shodan), Jack (sandan), and Susan (yondan). After the awardees had put their certificates safely away off the mat, we commenced with stretching, and opening reishiki before quickly reviewing Seiza and Batto Ho. Next he worked with us on Okuiai, and Toho before splitting up the class. About half the class was released to do free practice, while he worked with the rest on Tate Hiza. I was very surprised to be invited by John-Sensei to join this group. I had never done these katas before, and wasn't expecting to start learning them for at least another year. It was fun doing something so completely new, and yet very familiar,-- I also now know why it's called 'torture kneeza'. After a while the free practice group stopped what they were doing to watch us. All good things must come to an end, and at three we had to stop and bow out. Just before everyone left I presented him with a gift bag of presents that Susan had helped to wrap. It contained an ISS golf shirt, a NASA cap, one of Jimmy's sweat shirts, and a card that had been signed by all. After all had left the dojo I reluctantly parted company with our guests who had to return home, then I took Tanida-Sensei to Space Center Houston for a tour of NASA. Joe met us there, and we all went on the tram tour of buildings 9 (Shuttle & Station mockups) and 5 (training simulators, including the motion base), then visited the other exhibits, the mockups, and the gift store in the visitor center before it closed at seven. Joe went home, and I took him back to the hotel and reluctantly bade him farewell. It was a wonderful event, and I hope we do again soon.
Photos