Shinsakai Update
Well, Saturday was the shinsakai. I tested for Shodan and passed. Yay!
Look at the wear on that iaito! I REALLY need a new one. I was waiting until I got Shodan so maybe now I can finally put in the order.
I learned when I tested for Ikkyu that the test is a formality for ranking (sort of a capstone experience) rather than the determinant of whether or not we deserve to move up in rank.
We get recommended for testing. It gets discussed at the honbu dojo and then at the Headmaster's dojo in Japan. I think that a video of our performance (taken some time near the time of the recommendation) gets passed around with the recommendations. Some time before the test (if everyone agrees that you are performing at the recommended level) the menkyo (sp?) gets drawn up by Soke Sensei and is ready for delivery at the end of the shinsakai. I assume that if you TOTALLY screwed up the test, you wouldn't get the certificate but I haven't heard of it ever happening here in Michigan.
So, I knew that if I was being allowed to test, all the powers that be thought I was performing at the Shodan level, that I deserved to test and that I could pass the test.
Sympathetic nervous system didn't believe it though. The week before the test was the worst with my getting little pangs of worry in my stomach every time I thought about the test. Speaking of which, I want to thank slobbit for encouraging me, distracting me, and providing me with good testing and pre-testing advice. I actually DID remember to slow down and I'm pretty sure I breathed a couple times during the test itself ;-)
As usual - this is when my sympathetic nervous system starts kicking my ass:
I did cheat a little this time and take a Xanax an hour before the test which helped. My prescription is such a low dose that it doesn't eliminate the anxiety but it does tone it down a bit. My heart wasn't trying to beat its way out of my chest this time like it did when I tested for Ikkyu.
Later that night, D. said he was a little worried when I walked up to the line to test. He said that it looked like I was going to puke. Thanks a bunch D. Something else for me to worry about before the next test, :-P
I guess the test went well. I can never really tell because I don't remember most of it. I just do it. I know that I successfully avoided making some of the mistakes that plague me during the test. However, some of the feedback provided to me by the senior students later that night suggested that I am still screwing up some of the things I have been trying fix such as levering up when going from gedan to chudan during the Jodan Zanshen sequence.
Oh well, that will be one of the first things I'll try to fix.
After testing there was hundreds of cuts and then the traditional cold soba noodle lunch at the honbu dojo.
Then there was the lecture period, followed by enbu practice, followed by kenshibu practice.
I love whole day classes. I really do!
After that was tamishigiri and the picnic at the honbu dojo. After last year, a new rule was instituted for this year - No Drinking before test cutting!
So AFTER the test cutting there was drinking and food, and more drinking and conversation, and more drinking and music.
Proper conduct dictates that students don't get more intoxicated than their instructor but our instructors set the bar pretty high.
It was great fun though. At one point, I was sitting in the backyard looking at the sunlight shining through the trees, listening to Y. Sensei play blues on his acoustic guitar, and hearing the murmuring of good friends talking, laughing, and enjoying themselves. I really felt comfortable, at home, and part of a good group of trustworthy, kind, intelligent people. I am really lucky to have found this dojo and to have been accepted by its members.
About a bazillion kampai's later, the Alexanians kicked everyone out and those of us from the SE Michigan dojo moved to our hotel room for more partying.
Guess what? Even with all the drinking there was no drama, no fights, no sickness and only one broken glass. Instead there was conversation, laughing, and picture taking (only one picture of which I am going to show you). Some people even waxed eloquent with Jim giving us an elaborate humorous poem as he prepared to drive back home.
All in all, I had a wonderful time (if you couldn't tell) and am looking forward to the next all school get together.
I also find myself wonderfully motivated. I am actually sorry we won't have class this Wednesday.
Look at the wear on that iaito! I REALLY need a new one. I was waiting until I got Shodan so maybe now I can finally put in the order.
I learned when I tested for Ikkyu that the test is a formality for ranking (sort of a capstone experience) rather than the determinant of whether or not we deserve to move up in rank.
We get recommended for testing. It gets discussed at the honbu dojo and then at the Headmaster's dojo in Japan. I think that a video of our performance (taken some time near the time of the recommendation) gets passed around with the recommendations. Some time before the test (if everyone agrees that you are performing at the recommended level) the menkyo (sp?) gets drawn up by Soke Sensei and is ready for delivery at the end of the shinsakai. I assume that if you TOTALLY screwed up the test, you wouldn't get the certificate but I haven't heard of it ever happening here in Michigan.
So, I knew that if I was being allowed to test, all the powers that be thought I was performing at the Shodan level, that I deserved to test and that I could pass the test.
Sympathetic nervous system didn't believe it though. The week before the test was the worst with my getting little pangs of worry in my stomach every time I thought about the test. Speaking of which, I want to thank slobbit for encouraging me, distracting me, and providing me with good testing and pre-testing advice. I actually DID remember to slow down and I'm pretty sure I breathed a couple times during the test itself ;-)
As usual - this is when my sympathetic nervous system starts kicking my ass:
I did cheat a little this time and take a Xanax an hour before the test which helped. My prescription is such a low dose that it doesn't eliminate the anxiety but it does tone it down a bit. My heart wasn't trying to beat its way out of my chest this time like it did when I tested for Ikkyu.
Later that night, D. said he was a little worried when I walked up to the line to test. He said that it looked like I was going to puke. Thanks a bunch D. Something else for me to worry about before the next test, :-P
I guess the test went well. I can never really tell because I don't remember most of it. I just do it. I know that I successfully avoided making some of the mistakes that plague me during the test. However, some of the feedback provided to me by the senior students later that night suggested that I am still screwing up some of the things I have been trying fix such as levering up when going from gedan to chudan during the Jodan Zanshen sequence.
Oh well, that will be one of the first things I'll try to fix.
After testing there was hundreds of cuts and then the traditional cold soba noodle lunch at the honbu dojo.
Then there was the lecture period, followed by enbu practice, followed by kenshibu practice.
I love whole day classes. I really do!
After that was tamishigiri and the picnic at the honbu dojo. After last year, a new rule was instituted for this year - No Drinking before test cutting!
So AFTER the test cutting there was drinking and food, and more drinking and conversation, and more drinking and music.
Proper conduct dictates that students don't get more intoxicated than their instructor but our instructors set the bar pretty high.
It was great fun though. At one point, I was sitting in the backyard looking at the sunlight shining through the trees, listening to Y. Sensei play blues on his acoustic guitar, and hearing the murmuring of good friends talking, laughing, and enjoying themselves. I really felt comfortable, at home, and part of a good group of trustworthy, kind, intelligent people. I am really lucky to have found this dojo and to have been accepted by its members.
About a bazillion kampai's later, the Alexanians kicked everyone out and those of us from the SE Michigan dojo moved to our hotel room for more partying.
Guess what? Even with all the drinking there was no drama, no fights, no sickness and only one broken glass. Instead there was conversation, laughing, and picture taking (only one picture of which I am going to show you). Some people even waxed eloquent with Jim giving us an elaborate humorous poem as he prepared to drive back home.
All in all, I had a wonderful time (if you couldn't tell) and am looking forward to the next all school get together.
I also find myself wonderfully motivated. I am actually sorry we won't have class this Wednesday.