Barstaple Iaido 2010

[David G]

Body and mind aching, feet sore but a good weekend!

Congratulations to 1-Cut (sandan), Gareth and Dale (nidan) on a successful grading.

Big thanks to Andy, Aurelien and Lucy for your knowledge and patience with an old dog learning new tricks. (Especially the highlighted bit!!!)

[Peter West]

Congratulations indeed to those who passed. Some were showing potential but inconsistency in technique in seitei will always mark down sandan plus. What is known and understood should be consistent.
Depth of practice is the biggest issue at 4th dan + I think. Not amount of practice (repetitions) but depth of practice (exploring and understanding).

So, congratulations also to those who, despite not reaching the mark this time, are progressing well in the right direction.

[1 cut 1 kill]

thank you , i want to thank the instructors for a really good saturday, I would also like to thank every member of rsk for their help, commitment and honesty over the last three years.

[Andy_Watson]

Congratulations indeed to those who passed. Some were showing potential but inconsistency in technique in seitei will always mark down sandan plus. What is known and understood should be consistent.
Depth of practice is the biggest issue at 4th dan + I think. Not amount of practice (repetitions) but depth of practice (exploring and understanding).

So, congratulations also to those who, despite not reaching the mark this time, are progressing well in the right direction.

Well said Peter. I had similar thoughts about the 2nd dan+ gradings. A lot of people trying to cut very hard at the expense of all the technical criteria necessary for Seitei. I'm sure Jock sensei was waving the ZNKR manual around on Saturday and Sunday and yet people seem to think that they know better. It seemed such a simple way of failing the grading for some people:
- Cut with as much power as you can muster even if it means wedging the sword between your buttocks
- Gurn your face with as much anger and determination as you can
- Stare at a spot about 1m in front of you on the floor until the floorboards catch fire
- Lift your shoulders up to your forehead and poke someone in the ear with the kissaki
- Disregard all technical requirements for the grading

It really shouldn't be so difficult, candidates aren't being asked to beat the other candidates by exuding more speed and power, you just have to do the techniques more or less correctly i.e. pay some token acknowledgement to the rules of Seitei.

[David G]

Just realised the thread title is barstaple not Barnstaple. Although considering how much alcohol was consumed it may just be a Freudian slip!

[AndrewA]

A great weekend, even if I do get carsick on long trips it was well worth it. Thank you to all the Sensei who took part and for all the advice given over the weekend, made me realise a few bad habbits that have creeped in. Well done to everyone over the weekend regardless if you passed or not, I am sure everyone gave it their all.

[Maro]

Considering the locale, I hope you all put a bit of Wurzel into your Kiai!

[Kaa]

It seemed such a simple way of failing the grading for some people:
- Cut with as much power as you can muster even if it means wedging the sword between your buttocks
- Gurn your face with as much anger and determination as you can
- Stare at a spot about 1m in front of you on the floor until the floorboards catch fire
- Lift your shoulders up to your forehead and poke someone in the ear with the kissaki
- Disregard all technical requirements for the grading

made me smile, yes, that is spot on noob troop.

Have to frame it and pin it up at the refrigerator as an early and eternal reminder of what not to do.