Kendo...

The South African Kendo Federation (SAKF) will be hosting their Annual Kendo Workshop this weekend (28-29 April) at the Japanese School in Emerentia, JHB, South Africa. Ishimaru sensei, 7th Dan, will once again be the main sensei to host the seminar. It's a pretty intensive workshop that involves 2 days of gruelling Kendo training!

The last time I went to this workshop was in in 2005, the first time ever for me! I remember getting ready to do some some keiko (sparring) with someone and Ishimaru sensei watching on from the side. Then, on my initial attack, screaming as loudly as I possibly could, my foot got stuck in my hakama (Japanese skirt like apparel) and I went first flying into the air, then tumbling down into the hard wooden floor! When I got up, I say Ishimaru sensei laughing away! So much for first impressions! Up until that point, I think I was pretty credible and looked pretty good in my Kendo gear, however, doing my version of Goth-gone-crazy head-bang, and seeing the sensei all slit-eyed from laughter, made me realise that, hey, we're all human still and one must never forget that humbleness is the root of all good!

So, I'm looking forward to this year's seminar. This time, I'm going to make sure that my hakama is pulled up beyond my knees so as to expose my sexy, hairy calf muscles and ensure I don't do my impersonation of that Goth ever again.