September 2010 Events

Before I get into the events for September, last month we had a referee seminar in Columbus, hosted by our regional federation. The referee seminars are a great opportunity to attend the training of the tournament referees. Even if you are not high enough in rank to judge, there is plenty of opportunity to participate in mock matches which give the referees a chance to tune their eyes for real Kendo tournament matches.

We also gave a demonstration of Iaido and Kendo to the Adult Program at the Kenton County Library on August 28th. We were well received and had fun talking with the people afterwards.

Coming up in September on the 11th, there will be a joint practice held in Indianapolis IN. It is hosted by our region. It will run from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm. After practice everyone will get together for dinner at a local restaurant.

The following weekend September 17,18,19, there will a seminar in Cleveland. Friday evening will be an open practice. Saturday morning there will be Iaido practice. Saturday afternoon is a referee seminar. Sunday there will be a youth and student Kendo tournament for up to age 18. The weekend is hosted by the Greater Northeast United States Kendo Federation. The guest head instructor will be Shozo Kato Sensei. He is an 8th Dan in Kendo and 7th Dan in Iaido. It's not often you get to spar with someone that high in rank, not to mention Kato Sensei is one of the highest ranking Kendo instructors in the US.

Finally, another event on the 11th, there will be a seminar hosted by Aikido of Cincinnati. Carl Long is a high ranking Iaido instructor with the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido school of Iaido. He is very knowledgeable and very approachable when you have questions. If you would like to participate, contact Dick McKeever at Aikido of Cincinnati (513)984-0047 or (513)1976 or me. If you would like to watch a session, please contact me so I can get permission for you to watch but not participate.