Today Hiroko, Lynette and I had an opportunity to assist in a martial arts exhibition at Redding School of Art, a private charter elementary school. I solo performed kneeling iai 1 and 5 and standing iai 3, and the Cutting Pattern 1 drill with Lynette and Hiroko each, and lastly 1 and 2 attack Parry with Hiroko. We performed the demonstration twice through, and the second time I included Western Circle kata’s 1 and 2 after the Parry to give Hiroko time to prepare for some Shotokan kata demonstration.
Tag: event
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Event at Half Moon Bay dojo. Eighteen fighters present and competeing. Logged battles to follow.
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Today was a wood and steel day of combat at the Half Moon Bay dojo. The focus was on one-on-one sparring, though we had several melees, too. I worked on my 13th move some and successfully applied my new one, which I currently call Splinter. Additionally, Gad reviewed my Red Rope requirements with me. There was a correction to my Kata Ni, and the final target on my Jumping Tiger 2 and Mantis was shallow, but otherwise it went fine. He suggested I practice on my own two or three times a week and arrange to meet with him later in January to spar and work more on my 13th move, which I must successfully use three times in combat to meet my requirement. If all goes well, I will test for my Red Rope at the February event. During todays combat, I garnered an additional 40 matches or so, which I will log later.
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Today I journeyed to Half Moon Bay in California for a WCoS event. The day portion of the event began some time in the afternoon, however I arrived close to 4 PM. I decided it would not be worth jumping into armor for just a few one on one matches before everyone stopped for dinner, though I later regretted not getting in those extra few battles. After the break, everyone geared up and we traveled to the Arrata Hay Bale Maze. Arriving near 7 PM, there was no moon though the sky was clear allowing a feeble starlight to barely illuminate once the eyes adjusted. Each fighter was given a glow stick and a tie to attach to their person, primarily for safety. Many simply attached it to the middle of their front, whether high or low, however I strategically attached mine to the left shoulder strap of my armor so that it could be worn externally, or tucked inside.
The first melee was a three-life (30sec res.) free for all with a few minutes to disperse into the maze. It had, of course, changed from the previous year’s incarnation. Once the battle was on, I quickly discovered that most of the fighters had immediately formed teams of two. I however had tucked my glowstick inside my armor and with sword held vertically by my body on the right, was able to move about at the ready without shedding any light to give myself away. This tactic was very successful in surprise, however I found that the glow sticks of my opponents coupled with the dark environment and some visibility issues with my own helmet grill had me misjudging distance. My first two offensive I took out one person, but the other two directly behind then took me at the same time. The second offensive was against a lone fighter and went well. The third I misjudged the distance and the pair took me in response. My last I managed to sneak close in an open space, then held still while my opponent walked right up to me unaware. Unfortunately, I again misjudged distance and only caught the last inch or two and in the ensuing exchange I was ultimately defeated.
The following melee was a two-team event in the central rotundra, then a two-team capture the flag through the maze, and last a general melee back in the rotundra again. The pure darkness continued to be an issue, causing a lack of proper distance gauging and an inability to detect incoming attacks to thence block.
I would very much have liked a couple more rounds of general melee in the maze, perhaps with some non-teaming rules to see how that would pan out, but it was a good night, if perhaps short. -
human haybale maze #2
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human haybale maze
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Castle and glade event
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Mori Sensei, Lindsay and myself arrived in Stanford at the SKA Winter Special Training on Friday shortly after 6pm. We signed in and got changed for the first practice which was scheduled for 7:30pm.
The details of the practices I will not log, but there was a lot of training to be had.
Final practice ended Sunday afternoon around 1:30pm. We gathered ourselves, said our goodbyes, and went back to the house the women had been staying at for showers and final packing, then headed homeward.
It was a full weekend of training, distinctly different from PCKD special practices. It was an interesting experience, but not one that I expect to repeat unless necessary (to obtain 1st rank black belt with SKA, you must attend one special training, I believe). My primary source of dissatisfaction comes from the way some of the practice session are held and how some of the other attendees act and interact. I do not take favorably to the “drill sargent” approach at all, and it was a distinct presence. All in all, I do not regret going, and I am pleased to have surpassed this requirement.
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I have been remiss in my training lately due to a number of excuses, but they’re really only excuses. However, I just returned from the 2nd Annual Pacific Coast Karate-Do Summer Gasshuku. It was an excellent weekend of training, camaraderie and companionship, and it was really good to see old friends again. I believe no matter how many Shotokan schools I train with, my heart will always be with the PCKD group.
Saturday morning after breaking our fast, we all trouped down to the lake shore either on foot or by car. We cleared a section of the beach of objects detrimental to bare feet as best we could and warmed up on our own. Bowing in at 5600 feet elevation with the beautiful lake and granite mountains as the “front” of our “dojo”, we began with medium speed kihon. Rabbitt Sensei took us through all the usual kihon including multi-technique sets, then moved us into kata. The gravelly sands began to heat up as we partnered and started in on footwork and body movement drills, practicing rotating to the outside 90 degrees back or forward, and sliding to the outside. For each motion, after first practicing just the footwork, we would then add counter attacks. By the end of the drills, the sand was reaching blistering temperatures (I swear I got one or two from the heat – they certainly weren’t friction blisters!) and the elevation and workout was likely taking its toll on many, though I didn’t see much outwardly. We bowed out and returned to camp for a much needed lunch break and some afternoon relaxation (in whatever form suited each individual – whether it be a nap, mountain biking, or a refreshing swim).
In the early evening we all reconvened for an informal session at camp. The yudansha were placed in one group with Rabbitt Sensei and the remainder in another with George Sempai. Under George’s tutelage, we learned Junryo Shodan, a form intended to train good footwork and body motion, using a great deal of stance transitions and alternating standard and gyaku technique. Details may follow (I wrote it down, but it’s a long list of technique!).
The evening passed pleasantly with good food and company and everyone did their best to get a reasonably good nights sleep in preparation for the next day of training.
The Sunday breakfasting was a bit slower than the previous day, as I don’t believe anyone escaped at least some minor stiffness from the previous day. I say it just goes to show everyone was making their best effort. Returning to our beach front “training hall”, we again warmed up individually, then after bowing in went through the kata from the previous evening a few times to get the blood flowing and re-enforce the memories. This day’s focus was primarily awareness of your opponent and of how the body moves. We did several add-on drills, including a group elimination circle and one-on-one partner work. Each drill took us closer to Jiyu Kumite, and eventually that was where we ended, trading partners several times. After adequately working each other over, we lined up a final time to bow out, with that beautiful backdrop staring back at us.
It has been an excellent weekend and I look forward to the 3rd Annual event next year.
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Combat Day in Snowy Forested Terrain
It has been a good day. I travelled to Truckee, California for a day of combat in the snow. Though it has been warm, there was yet up to six or so inches of snow on the field, making footing and movement unusual, to say the least. I chose to wear my snowboarding boots for their tread, relatively large surface area, and comfort in snow. This proved to be a wise decision as I heard many comments about cold wet feet from those that had elected to wear their usual leather combat boots. As it was, I found the snow was not an exceptional hinderance, though rapid changes in direction were not feasible.
Our maximum warriors on the field this day numbered nine. There were a total of ten melees, three team scenarios, and I had eight single combat sparring matches. The actual outcomes are transcribed below.
After the main event, I worked with Kaiden Hedge on Cutting Pattern 3, which also will be copied into this journal on the morrow or next day after.
Home now, I count seven bruisings, three on my thighs, one on my ribs, a mark on my forearm, and two mushed fingers. However, nothing is significant import, the worst being a bit of swelling and color on one of the fingers. I expect it all to fade within a few days or so. As I said, it has been a good day.Match Results:
Melee
(9 on 9)Win Loss Kill Notes 1 Gad Taage Leg 2 Taage James Leg Taage Faith Leg Gad Taage Torso 3 Taage Bennet Thorn D/K Taage/Will Head/Leg 4 Hedge Taage Leg 5 Gad Taage Leg 6 David Taage Torso Fallen Warrior 7 Taage Gad Thrust D/K David Head/Thrust 8 Taage ? ? Gad Taage Head *9* Taage Hedge Dagger (Melee Winner) Taage Will Leg Taage Faith Yeild 10 Taage James Leg Tina Taage Torso
1-on-1 Win Loss Kill Notes 1 Taage James Dagger 2 Taage James Thrust 3 Taage James Leg 4 Taage Will Head Modified Lightning 5 Will Taage Head 6 Taage Will Leg 7 Will Taage Torso 8 Taage Will Leg
Scenario Win Loss Kill Type 1 Taage James Barrier Four teams of 2 Gad Taage Head (from behind) “ *2* Taage Will Thrust Two teams of 4 Taage David Leg “ 3 Gad Taage Head Two teams of 4 -
A day of combat was held in Davis, hosted by Mike Mac. In total we had 11 melees, 5 scenario battles, and a number of pit fights and some one-on-one sparring.
It was a good day. In some ways too good. The weather was just right, the ground was level and plain, in short, the conditions were near-optimal. Even as such, as my battle tallies will show, I have much to work on in live sparring. My averages are still relatively dismal considering me degree of training. I intend to go into a new round of intensive training in the art of the Western Circle come mid-spring, with the intent to achieve my next rank, Red Rope, and to ultimately open a new branch of the Western Circle here in my area. We shall see.
Match Results:
1-on-1 Win Lose Kill Notes 1 Ohma Taage Leg
Melee Win Lose Kill Notes 1 – Taage Barrier 2 Mike Mac Taage Leg 3 Kris Taage Head 4 Tina Taage Leg *5* Taage Tina Dagger (Lockup) (Melee Winner) 6 Green Mike Taage Head 7 Taage Nathan Thrust Kris Taage Thrust (Lockup) 8 Taage Ben Head (Back Attack) Mike Mac Taage Leg 9 Brennan Taage Torso 10 Taage Faith Leg Richard Taage Leg 11 Taage Gordon Shoulder Kris Taage Leg
Scenario Win Lose Kill Type 1 Gordon Taage Dagger (Lockup) Two Teams 2 Taage Tina Thrust Two Teams Taage Will Thrust “ ? Taage Leg “ 3 Will Taage Head Two Teams 4 ? Taage Thrust Four Teams of 4 with Innocent 5 – Taage Team Innocent Died Four Teams of 4 with Innocent *6* – – (no death or kill) Fortress Assault (Attacker) 7 Taage Bennet Leg Fortress Assault (Defender) ? Taage Thrust “