New Dojo

Lia told me recently that I haven't write anything here in a long time.

That's true!

So what happened lately at the Kendo club? So much.... First we moved out to a bigger Dojo in Panmure. Everyone helped, it was very nice. First, cleaning and then painting, painting, painting and a bit of cleaning, painting, some sort of cleaning as well and also..... painting! Once the cleaning and painting was kind of complete, the floor has been layered down: such a nice floor, all springy springy.

So time came to practice and try our new dojo/painted walls/cleaned and springy floor. It is a bit of a change. Funnily enough, the more space we have and the more we seem to need, haha. We could easily practice in the previous dojo, not caring about space and now, we always bump into each other for some reason. Foot work is easier now and Fumukomi doesn't hurt so much on this new floor. Trainings are starting at 7pm now, beginners and intermediates at the same time. Usually, both warm up together and then the class is splitted between beginners and intermediates. It is convenient for time as it can be difficult for people coming from the city to get to the new dojo which is in Panmure.

Let's move on to the grading. Many people graded, actually, most of the kendoists that evening graded, to their expectations or not, but it happened. If my memory is good, everyone who attempted shodan was successful. Two or three of us succeded why Ikyu and so on with Nikyu, Sankyu, etc...
There was two juges board and it all went quite quickly. Congratulations to everyone, that was a great evening.

Finally, we are now geting ready to host the first event in our new Dojo: Nationals 2008. It is exciting and many people will be there helping. As most of you probably know already, the nationals are open to New Zealand residents only, which puts quite a few AKC's members out of the competition. I am looking forward to it, I'll be helping at the board, a bit of pressure and a lot of excitment. It will be concluded, of course, by a meal with everyone in the evening.

Soon, I will write an article about my personal kendo practice, the mind practice. Here is a preview of it:

Ken to wa kokoro nari
Kokoro tadashi kariba sono ken tadashi
Kokoro tadashi karazariba
Sono ken mata tadashi karazu
Ken o monoban tu suru monowa subekaraku
Sono kokoro o manabe

The sword (fist) and the mind are one.
When the mind is right, the sword (fist) is right.
When the mind is not right, the sword (fist) is also not right.
To study the art of kendo, one must first study his mind.

I will also try to get pictures from the new Dojo's construction from Graham sensei, I think he has many.
Take care everyone....

Kendo dinner

Saturday 8th December, there was a dinner for the Auckland Kendo club's members. It was open to members and friends as well. I didn't take that many pictures but I hope the ones down here will offer a nice overview.

Video shiai

Oh! And here is a video. Sorry, I don't remember who was fighting:

Shiai at the AKC

On satuday 8th December, there was a friendly shiai in the Auckland Kendo club including members of the AKC and members of Jason's Dojo. Here are some pictures:

Soul Calibur

i ching

well, i know you guys are fans of any kinds of kendo practice or spritual books..and some funny animation as well.. lol:P
this book "i ching" may be somewhat unfamiliar to u, but i should recommend.
why's that? well it condenses very helpful info about the oriental philosophy!
i can hear ollie may blame at me" moana not theory, practicality!!" but this is not just only that. there you can find not only the you and your family..environment, world, universe/ how to make harmony, and progress with wise mind set and action shots in order. we have bad time-this time let us how to fold/ if you persist going stright forward, you overconsume your valuable qi which means energy.
this book is a kind of my life bible, but not only me, even the gentleman who first establish the Confucius had regret that he couldn't read this book more at the time he's dying.-one episode of, he'd read the book too many times, so the leather thread which binding had broken three times.

you may find this book pathfinder bookshop in city or internet or library..

Grading

On monday 29th of October took place the last grading of the year for the Auckland Kendo Club. It was quite intense and everyone did a very good job. Many of us graded and for those who didn't, next time will be better, it was not out of work but maybe not enought experience or just not the right day, who knows...

Let's start thinking about the next grading know and practice, practice, practice...