Bamboo and Steel
Omaha Kendo & Iaido Kyokai Blog
 The OKIK was in attendance at the Idaho Iaido Seminar this past weekend. The seminar featured world-class teachers and gave attendees the opportunity to receive excellent instruction in both modern and classical Iaido forms as well as Kendo.
The seminar was hosted by Robert Stroud sensei and the Idaho Kendo Club. Instruction at the seminar was provided by Konno sensei (Seattle), Stroud sensei (Boise), Seto sensei (Seattle), Ichimura sensei (Dallas), Olson sensei (Washington), and Hankins sensei (Salt Lake City). It is often said that Kendo and Iaido are two wheels on the same cart, and this seminar provided a rare opportunity for instruction and competition in both arts. The weekend featured Kendo keiko and post-keiko feedback from senseis and a full-fledged Iaido seminar. Finally, a unique combined Iaido and Kendo tournament capped off the multi-day training. A highlight of the tournament was a thrilling Kendo match between the Atagi Brothers (both instructors at Boise State Uviversity Kendo Club). In addition to the excellent, high-intensity Kendo of senseis Atagi, the match featured a fascinating matchup of nito (two sword style) versus jodan (overhead guard). The OKIK looks forward to the 2019 Boise Iaido Seminar.
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 Charlie’s going-away keiko at OKIK.
 Kinda like dual citizenship! Hidehisa Nishimura of Kumamoto claimed first place at the 65th All Japan Kendo Championship on November 3rd at the Tokyo Bodukan. This video features the final match between Nishimura and Ryoichi Uchimura of Tokyo. This is Nishimura's second time winning the championship at only 28 years old—you can see why in the first video below! For years, Nishimura has idolized Uchimura and has worked hard to develop his own version of Uchimura’s style of kote attack. Nishimura used that very attack to win the match with his long-time hero, Nishimura. Uchimura observed kendo etiquette, and showed little or no emotion, during what must have been a pinnacle moment in his young life. Similarly, Nishimura showed grace and dignity after the match, as the two calmly removed and bound up their gear. At 10:07 in the post-match video below, the announcer says, “they looked for each other and Uchimura looked like he gave Nishimura some sign. It appears that at that Uchimura says to Nishimura, “well done” (よくやった。). This is a good example of the rich subtleties of the Būdō, that are largely hiding in plain sight.” For more info, check out the All Japan Kendo Federation website.
Thanks to everyone who came out to Lauritzen Gardens to participate in our kendo and iaido demonstrations during the Japanese Ambiance Festival on Sunday, October 8th. Members of Kendo & Iaido Kyokai were honored to present their martial arts to more than 100 interested observers at such a rich and educational cultural event. If you weren't able to make it, the Japanese Ambiance Festival is an annual event—so mark your calendar for next year!   
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