Despite what should be an insanely busy schedule starting September, I've committed myself and anyone else in the club (or outside of it!) to volunteer once again at the Calgary InterFaith Foodbank.
This will happen once again, the second Tuesday of every month from September to June.
I'll be sure to contact club members before each night to see who might join me.
I'm glad I've set this up again because I have always felt really positive after volunteering.
Hope you might join us and share in that hope.
Chris
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Reflections on our 4th Annual Summer Seminar
The family resemblances among the martial arts of Japan continues to remind me of the importance of lineage.
We would not be able to experience this genealogy among the arts we practice quite so directly, I think, without there having been those who have gone before us and on down the line, attempting to keep the schools alive. I say this with goodwill, for there are those who abuse and misunderstand lineage and also those who disparage its worth.
The consistency of fundamentals between schools like the Kage, Muso Shinden, Hyoho Niten Ichi and seitei jo (SMR) are a testament to the importance of lineage. Of course, the goodwill I speak of includes headmasters who chose their successors wisely, believing that the fundamentals of the arts would continue to be transmitted.
Our weekend seminar drove the above idea home for me, in part thanks to Taylor sensei's thoughts about lineage and proficiency, thoughts I believe are largely grounded in a view of the arts as utilitarian, as proficient, as pragmatic: they need to kill. Lineage as transmission requires the transmitters to have understanding and proficiency, however far that can be tested without actually engaging in the acts of violence they have been based upon. It is too simple to debunk lineage as a homily to one's abilities or lack thereof, exclusively. So, when Yamamoto sensei tells me about the time Mitsuzuka sensei came to him, after three years of training together six and sometimes seven nights per week, and told him to leave, to go start his own dojo, because he was ready for this, I believe I have been witness to hearing about an act of inheritance. An inheritance based on the wisdom of Mitsuzuka sensei, perhaps a wisdom developed through his relationship with Danzaki and Hakudo. This is the goodwill I carry in talking about lineage. When the day comes for me to tell my students to get lost, it will be because I believe I've got some insight into their preparedness to carry on the fundamentals of Muso Shinden we have been given from Yamamoto sensei. That's important, I think. And this wouldn't happen if I didn't believe the youth around me were going to surpass me.
Moving on...
A student made a comment very similar to a comment I made many years ago when I first moved to Japan. I understand that comment now, in both contexts. The comment, then and now, was to the effect that our visiting instructors gave so much detail, so much in depth instruction, that it surpassed what we were typically used to. Hmmm. Yes, this is why the young need the old, and why we must all embrace being beginners. And we must also, at the same time, not forget the depth of instruction we have already received, and are yet to receive. Visiting instructors open the flood gates usually, because of the limited time they have with us. They also give understanding that the home instructor will take this information and decide how best to bring that to students, case by case. There is also care and caution needed, and I have been very guilty of this over the years, to not forget the reasons already explained in detail, for the things we do. How we hold information and express it in the arts is one of the most difficult tasks there is, I believe. I struggle with this all the time! I try to whyle away on new information. Dwell on it, roll it around, think about it, remembers what came before, compare, assimilate, throw away. In short, do what Foucault and Kant and many other great minds have asked us to do as we live in the world 'Dare to know!' So, years ago when I unintentionally disparaged my first sensei while training in a dojo in Japan, I did not consider that I was there because of him, and that I was being told what I was being told because of him. Today, I can still do a pretty solid front kick, and that's because of him.
I'm deeply grateful for the patience and persuasion of those around me. Without doubt, Taylor sensei and Watkin sensei are living treasures of martial being. We are honoured and privileged to have them with us every year. We continue to grow because of them. And while we grow we must continue to think for ourselves, as they would expect of us. They are where they are because of such thinking. Thankfully, lineage has brought us all full circle, I believe. The fundamentals are there - they are the same - and so we continue to polish ourselves on the same stones, sometimes guided by different hands.
I look forward to our training in September and bringing into the fold of our lives that which has been shared with us this past weekend.
Chris
We would not be able to experience this genealogy among the arts we practice quite so directly, I think, without there having been those who have gone before us and on down the line, attempting to keep the schools alive. I say this with goodwill, for there are those who abuse and misunderstand lineage and also those who disparage its worth.
The consistency of fundamentals between schools like the Kage, Muso Shinden, Hyoho Niten Ichi and seitei jo (SMR) are a testament to the importance of lineage. Of course, the goodwill I speak of includes headmasters who chose their successors wisely, believing that the fundamentals of the arts would continue to be transmitted.
Our weekend seminar drove the above idea home for me, in part thanks to Taylor sensei's thoughts about lineage and proficiency, thoughts I believe are largely grounded in a view of the arts as utilitarian, as proficient, as pragmatic: they need to kill. Lineage as transmission requires the transmitters to have understanding and proficiency, however far that can be tested without actually engaging in the acts of violence they have been based upon. It is too simple to debunk lineage as a homily to one's abilities or lack thereof, exclusively. So, when Yamamoto sensei tells me about the time Mitsuzuka sensei came to him, after three years of training together six and sometimes seven nights per week, and told him to leave, to go start his own dojo, because he was ready for this, I believe I have been witness to hearing about an act of inheritance. An inheritance based on the wisdom of Mitsuzuka sensei, perhaps a wisdom developed through his relationship with Danzaki and Hakudo. This is the goodwill I carry in talking about lineage. When the day comes for me to tell my students to get lost, it will be because I believe I've got some insight into their preparedness to carry on the fundamentals of Muso Shinden we have been given from Yamamoto sensei. That's important, I think. And this wouldn't happen if I didn't believe the youth around me were going to surpass me.
Moving on...
A student made a comment very similar to a comment I made many years ago when I first moved to Japan. I understand that comment now, in both contexts. The comment, then and now, was to the effect that our visiting instructors gave so much detail, so much in depth instruction, that it surpassed what we were typically used to. Hmmm. Yes, this is why the young need the old, and why we must all embrace being beginners. And we must also, at the same time, not forget the depth of instruction we have already received, and are yet to receive. Visiting instructors open the flood gates usually, because of the limited time they have with us. They also give understanding that the home instructor will take this information and decide how best to bring that to students, case by case. There is also care and caution needed, and I have been very guilty of this over the years, to not forget the reasons already explained in detail, for the things we do. How we hold information and express it in the arts is one of the most difficult tasks there is, I believe. I struggle with this all the time! I try to whyle away on new information. Dwell on it, roll it around, think about it, remembers what came before, compare, assimilate, throw away. In short, do what Foucault and Kant and many other great minds have asked us to do as we live in the world 'Dare to know!' So, years ago when I unintentionally disparaged my first sensei while training in a dojo in Japan, I did not consider that I was there because of him, and that I was being told what I was being told because of him. Today, I can still do a pretty solid front kick, and that's because of him.
I'm deeply grateful for the patience and persuasion of those around me. Without doubt, Taylor sensei and Watkin sensei are living treasures of martial being. We are honoured and privileged to have them with us every year. We continue to grow because of them. And while we grow we must continue to think for ourselves, as they would expect of us. They are where they are because of such thinking. Thankfully, lineage has brought us all full circle, I believe. The fundamentals are there - they are the same - and so we continue to polish ourselves on the same stones, sometimes guided by different hands.
I look forward to our training in September and bringing into the fold of our lives that which has been shared with us this past weekend.
Chris
Monday, August 2, 2010
Pictures!
Notice the changes?
A mini-slideshow and a link to public folders with lots of pictures of us over the years.
Enjoy!
Chris
A mini-slideshow and a link to public folders with lots of pictures of us over the years.
Enjoy!
Chris
Friday, July 23, 2010
Introduction to Iaido Article
Rhona-Mae, former student of ours, recently published an online article about Iaido:
http://martialarts.suite101.com/article.cfm/iaido---the-art-of-traditional-japanese-swordmanship
Check it out!
Well done Rhona-Mae!
Chris
http://martialarts.suite101.com/article.cfm/iaido---the-art-of-traditional-japanese-swordmanship
Check it out!
Well done Rhona-Mae!
Chris
Friday, June 18, 2010
Summer schedule
July and August
Thursdays
6-9 pm: all arts
September - June 2011
Thursdays 6 - 9 pm
Saturdays 8 - 11 am
Thursdays
6-9 pm: all arts
September - June 2011
Thursdays 6 - 9 pm
Saturdays 8 - 11 am
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Grading: Coveting, Pride and Perseverence
Kim Taylor sensei sent me this link very shortly after I recently failed my first attempt at fifth dan in iaido.
http://social-issues.org/community/node/255
It is interesting and worth reflecting on.
It is also brief, and in its briefness runs the risk of simplifying what it is to persevere with iaido, versus persevering with standardization and gradings. I believe that the two, although complexly connected, do not need to be in order for one to persevere with iaido.
Persevering in iaido does not require one to grade.
My dear friend, Nobushima san, has been practicing Iaido in the Koganei Iaido Group in Tokyo, Japan for more than twenty years. Our sensei is Yamamoto, Shotaro and his sensei was Mitsuzuka, Takeshi, and so forth goes our lineage. This lineage is quite direct to some of the more infamous sources of modern swordsmanship, including the standardized forms of the All Japan Kendo Federation. Training with Yamamoto sensei is an experience close to the primary sources of modern iaido. Despite 20 years of training close to this source, Nobushima san has never graded. He is opposed to gradings. He is also an excellent technician in iaido, and his knowledge of the sword and Japanese culture and history, continues to amaze me to this day. I always learn something new from our ongoing correspondence. I suggest that Nobushima san defines perseverence in iaido. I suggest that he surpasses it in his steadfast position on standardization and gradings and unswerving loyalty to Yamamoto sensei and his teachings.
I will not grade again in iaido until I find the humility to fully submit to the wishes of the Canadian sensei. My grading failure was a failure of pride, I believe. Technically, I believe I was at a fifth dan level for Canadian Iai. Also, my contribution to Iaido in the CKF, in the local region of Calgary through our club events, volunteering, summer seminars, and article writing is appropriate, I believe. But I fail on giving up fully to the Canadian and visiting sensei. I respect them deeply. I listen to them when they advise, but I do not submit fully. I do not submit fully because there are fundamentals of iai I have been given by Yamamoto sensei that I will not give up. And there are variations on a theme that should not require change for the sake of interpretation. I am not in the state of mind to be a mini-version of the iai of other sensei. I once did that when I travelled across Japan visiting various dojo. When I returned to my dojo in Tokyo and began practicing iaido in front of Yamamoto sensei he asked me where I had learned what I was doing. I told him where I had picked up various tips and interpretations of the seitei iai. This was the only time I saw him angry. He told me that I did not understand the heart of budo. This painful experience which happened beyond my wanting and doing, beyond my expectation, revealed that there is a knowledge about budo practice which precedes a standardized set, which I think can sometimes get lost in the striving to do what everyone else is doing.
So I covet what has been given to me, what I worked for while I lived in Japan (1996-2000). I treasure my lineage and the fundamentals within that lineage. It is more important to me than the yearly shifts in standardized iaido that come about once a year to Canada. I am passionate about iaido and I persevere in Iaido and I give to my students what has been given to me.
But this course is a fine balance between doing what is best for my students to progess in gradings, and sustain what Yamamoto sensei has given me. Last year while visiting he implored me to grade for the sake of my students. So I did. And I submitted to the weekend interpretations given us by the president of the iaido division of the ZNKR. I did my best to submit, despite not wanting to, despite not liking the idea that I was performing variations on themes, variations that arise every year with every new and ongoing interpretation. No wonder I failed.
Now, we must connect with the Canadian sensei more if we wish to progress in the CKF. We will. I will do this for my students, and for my iaido. As for grading in iaido for another attempt at 5th dan - I may - and I also may not. I'm not ready to fully submit as is necessarily required within standardization. Until I am, my responsibility is to balance this standard with my learning from Yamamoto sensei. Perhaps I will ultimately end up on a similar path to Nobushima san. Taylor sensei was right when he told me that my issue is not with sensei but with the idea of a standardized set. Perhaps in the near future I will share my concerns with standardization. For now, being like Nobushima san would be to persevere in iaido, and this is what I have done for 15 years, and hope to do for life, whether or not I grade.
Most would agree that Iaido is a means of self-understanding. I would like to think that this post reflects an ongoing commitment to that arduous, ongoing, ceaseless, often troubling task.
Chris
http://social-issues.org/community/node/255
It is interesting and worth reflecting on.
It is also brief, and in its briefness runs the risk of simplifying what it is to persevere with iaido, versus persevering with standardization and gradings. I believe that the two, although complexly connected, do not need to be in order for one to persevere with iaido.
Persevering in iaido does not require one to grade.
My dear friend, Nobushima san, has been practicing Iaido in the Koganei Iaido Group in Tokyo, Japan for more than twenty years. Our sensei is Yamamoto, Shotaro and his sensei was Mitsuzuka, Takeshi, and so forth goes our lineage. This lineage is quite direct to some of the more infamous sources of modern swordsmanship, including the standardized forms of the All Japan Kendo Federation. Training with Yamamoto sensei is an experience close to the primary sources of modern iaido. Despite 20 years of training close to this source, Nobushima san has never graded. He is opposed to gradings. He is also an excellent technician in iaido, and his knowledge of the sword and Japanese culture and history, continues to amaze me to this day. I always learn something new from our ongoing correspondence. I suggest that Nobushima san defines perseverence in iaido. I suggest that he surpasses it in his steadfast position on standardization and gradings and unswerving loyalty to Yamamoto sensei and his teachings.
I will not grade again in iaido until I find the humility to fully submit to the wishes of the Canadian sensei. My grading failure was a failure of pride, I believe. Technically, I believe I was at a fifth dan level for Canadian Iai. Also, my contribution to Iaido in the CKF, in the local region of Calgary through our club events, volunteering, summer seminars, and article writing is appropriate, I believe. But I fail on giving up fully to the Canadian and visiting sensei. I respect them deeply. I listen to them when they advise, but I do not submit fully. I do not submit fully because there are fundamentals of iai I have been given by Yamamoto sensei that I will not give up. And there are variations on a theme that should not require change for the sake of interpretation. I am not in the state of mind to be a mini-version of the iai of other sensei. I once did that when I travelled across Japan visiting various dojo. When I returned to my dojo in Tokyo and began practicing iaido in front of Yamamoto sensei he asked me where I had learned what I was doing. I told him where I had picked up various tips and interpretations of the seitei iai. This was the only time I saw him angry. He told me that I did not understand the heart of budo. This painful experience which happened beyond my wanting and doing, beyond my expectation, revealed that there is a knowledge about budo practice which precedes a standardized set, which I think can sometimes get lost in the striving to do what everyone else is doing.
So I covet what has been given to me, what I worked for while I lived in Japan (1996-2000). I treasure my lineage and the fundamentals within that lineage. It is more important to me than the yearly shifts in standardized iaido that come about once a year to Canada. I am passionate about iaido and I persevere in Iaido and I give to my students what has been given to me.
But this course is a fine balance between doing what is best for my students to progess in gradings, and sustain what Yamamoto sensei has given me. Last year while visiting he implored me to grade for the sake of my students. So I did. And I submitted to the weekend interpretations given us by the president of the iaido division of the ZNKR. I did my best to submit, despite not wanting to, despite not liking the idea that I was performing variations on themes, variations that arise every year with every new and ongoing interpretation. No wonder I failed.
Now, we must connect with the Canadian sensei more if we wish to progress in the CKF. We will. I will do this for my students, and for my iaido. As for grading in iaido for another attempt at 5th dan - I may - and I also may not. I'm not ready to fully submit as is necessarily required within standardization. Until I am, my responsibility is to balance this standard with my learning from Yamamoto sensei. Perhaps I will ultimately end up on a similar path to Nobushima san. Taylor sensei was right when he told me that my issue is not with sensei but with the idea of a standardized set. Perhaps in the near future I will share my concerns with standardization. For now, being like Nobushima san would be to persevere in iaido, and this is what I have done for 15 years, and hope to do for life, whether or not I grade.
Most would agree that Iaido is a means of self-understanding. I would like to think that this post reflects an ongoing commitment to that arduous, ongoing, ceaseless, often troubling task.
Chris
Saturday, May 8, 2010
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