Samurai Miyamoto Musashi
“To win any battle, you must fight as if you are already dead.” - Miyamoto Musashi.
Looking out from my window seat as the rising sun peeked over the clouds, I had to marvel at my predicament. Here I was on the first flight to Oahu, having not slept, sheepishly heading for my impending doom. Imaginations of David and Goliath, and Daniel in the Lion's Den filled my mind as I gazed across the orange expanse.
The disparity was perhaps an oversight, most likely because of my age - 60. Nevertheless, event programs had been printed, brackets set, and match pairings were ready to go. A week prior I learned that I was not entered in the Seinenbu (kyu or no rank adult) Division as I had thought. Instead I was slated in the Masters Division of the 2018 Aiea Taiheiji Kendo Tournament.
My round-robin bracket had me fighting, in back-to-back matches, Garrett Matsumoto (age 50) - 5th dan head sensei of Kenshikan dojo, followed by Jon Shishido (age 50) - 6th dan head sensei of Meikyokan dojo. To say these are mismatches would be an understatement. Each of these renown yudansha have about 40 years of kendo experience, while I have 4. I'm overweight and not in the best shape. Both should easily defeat me 2-0.
Savoring the last sips of my in-flight coffee as the sunrise furthered its bloom, a paradoxical notion dawned over me. As the undisputed underdog I had absolutely nothing to lose, and with an odd clarity I felt completely free.
Before I knew it I was squared off in kamae with Matsumoto sensei. He scored twice in a New York minute. Quick work by the TEAM HAWAII qualifier who just returned from international competition at the 17th World Kendo Championships.
Moments later I was facing Shishido sensei. He kept a tight kamae posture, void of the parry tactics used by aggressive kenshi. He scored with a "kote" or wrist-strike early on. Shortly thereafter the still-photo shown here (in blue) was taken. Ippon was not awarded, however, a sharp capture of the bamboo bending kote.
video begins here www.flickr.com/photos/inter-island_helicopters/49961741701
From the ancient teachings of Sun Tzu - Art of War we learn that "All warfare is based on deception. If you are far from an enemy, make him believe you are near. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent... Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.”
Mid-way into the match Shishido sensei must have realized that I wasn't in his league. He pressed forward with a newfound fervor, probing with his shinai. I noticed that he seemed to be neglecting his side and was potentially open for a "do" (body-strike). Like Rock-Paper-Scissors or Jan-Ken-Po(n), I knew precisely what I intended to throw...
Peering through his iron grill I recall vividly the white of his right eye. I tip-toed in retreat, and through my lying iris conveyed that I am weak spirit, walking dead, and wide open for a "men" strike to the head. As a last-ditch bait offering I dropped my hands a tad lower. On cue my opponent launched forward with a textbook "Men!".
The high-pitched clash of bamboo slats resounds clearly in the video clip, followed by an even louder thwack! My upward block and counter slash across his bogu armor felt perfect. Extending my follow through and kiai, I ran across the court. Turning back, I looked at the referee for confirmation of my home run blast.
In hindsight I knew better than to turn back around without covering my "men", and especially not to look first for a flag. No surprise that Shishido sensei was waiting to capitalize on the rookie mistake.
One of the perplexing things said about kendo tournaments is that a lot of seemingly picture perfect "do" strikes don't get scored. In the Master's Division final eventual champion Garrett Matsumoto hit Shishido sensei with a shattering gyaku-do (reverse-do) that wowed the crowd but left the judges unfazed. Likewise, my Spartacus moment might have been technically flawed, but it sure sounded good.
Afterwards Braxton Fukutomi, head sensei of Aiea Taiheiji dojo and kendo champion phenomenon extraordinaire, complimented my "men-kaeshi-do" strike with the widest of smiles. Priceless. Lose the battle, win the war.
Samurai Miyamoto Musashi
“To win any battle, you must fight as if you are already dead.” - Miyamoto Musashi.
Looking out from my window seat as the rising sun peeked over the clouds, I had to marvel at my predicament. Here I was on the first flight to Oahu, having not slept, sheepishly heading for my impending doom. Imaginations of David and Goliath, and Daniel in the Lion's Den filled my mind as I gazed across the orange expanse.
The disparity was perhaps an oversight, most likely because of my age - 60. Nevertheless, event programs had been printed, brackets set, and match pairings were ready to go. A week prior I learned that I was not entered in the Seinenbu (kyu or no rank adult) Division as I had thought. Instead I was slated in the Masters Division of the 2018 Aiea Taiheiji Kendo Tournament.
My round-robin bracket had me fighting, in back-to-back matches, Garrett Matsumoto (age 50) - 5th dan head sensei of Kenshikan dojo, followed by Jon Shishido (age 50) - 6th dan head sensei of Meikyokan dojo. To say these are mismatches would be an understatement. Each of these renown yudansha have about 40 years of kendo experience, while I have 4. I'm overweight and not in the best shape. Both should easily defeat me 2-0.
Savoring the last sips of my in-flight coffee as the sunrise furthered its bloom, a paradoxical notion dawned over me. As the undisputed underdog I had absolutely nothing to lose, and with an odd clarity I felt completely free.
Before I knew it I was squared off in kamae with Matsumoto sensei. He scored twice in a New York minute. Quick work by the TEAM HAWAII qualifier who just returned from international competition at the 17th World Kendo Championships.
Moments later I was facing Shishido sensei. He kept a tight kamae posture, void of the parry tactics used by aggressive kenshi. He scored with a "kote" or wrist-strike early on. Shortly thereafter the still-photo shown here (in blue) was taken. Ippon was not awarded, however, a sharp capture of the bamboo bending kote.
video begins here www.flickr.com/photos/inter-island_helicopters/49961741701
From the ancient teachings of Sun Tzu - Art of War we learn that "All warfare is based on deception. If you are far from an enemy, make him believe you are near. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent... Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.”
Mid-way into the match Shishido sensei must have realized that I wasn't in his league. He pressed forward with a newfound fervor, probing with his shinai. I noticed that he seemed to be neglecting his side and was potentially open for a "do" (body-strike). Like Rock-Paper-Scissors or Jan-Ken-Po(n), I knew precisely what I intended to throw...
Peering through his iron grill I recall vividly the white of his right eye. I tip-toed in retreat, and through my lying iris conveyed that I am weak spirit, walking dead, and wide open for a "men" strike to the head. As a last-ditch bait offering I dropped my hands a tad lower. On cue my opponent launched forward with a textbook "Men!".
The high-pitched clash of bamboo slats resounds clearly in the video clip, followed by an even louder thwack! My upward block and counter slash across his bogu armor felt perfect. Extending my follow through and kiai, I ran across the court. Turning back, I looked at the referee for confirmation of my home run blast.
In hindsight I knew better than to turn back around without covering my "men", and especially not to look first for a flag. No surprise that Shishido sensei was waiting to capitalize on the rookie mistake.
One of the perplexing things said about kendo tournaments is that a lot of seemingly picture perfect "do" strikes don't get scored. In the Master's Division final eventual champion Garrett Matsumoto hit Shishido sensei with a shattering gyaku-do (reverse-do) that wowed the crowd but left the judges unfazed. Likewise, my Spartacus moment might have been technically flawed, but it sure sounded good.
Afterwards Braxton Fukutomi, head sensei of Aiea Taiheiji dojo and kendo champion phenomenon extraordinaire, complimented my "men-kaeshi-do" strike with the widest of smiles. Priceless. Lose the battle, win the war.