My (Almost) Non-Stop Naginata World Tour
It was through a random conversation on Facebook at the start of this year that prompted my adventures.
“My friends, who knows what Naginata events are taking place this year?” was the question and a simple list began to get pieced together.
It was the enthusiasm of some of my fellow kohai that inspired me to embark on several months of travel and seminar visits that has now taken me half way around the world!
To begin, three of us from the London Dojo decided to visit France in March to the Stage Regional de Picardie de Naginata with our Belgian friends Francois Dermine and Laurence Dumonceau leading. This was the second time I had visited an event in France and it was brilliant to see so many new faces excited to practice Naginata. Throughout the two days we focused on some basic exercises that can be practiced back in our own dojo to help reflexes and muscle-memory, refining our postures and when in bogu resisting the urge to simply strike anything that moved and better spend your energy focusing for the correct opportunity to make a valid strike – lots of fun! My two friends enjoyed themselves as it was their first time visiting another dojo entirely – we all made so many new friends!
The second trip I made, also with two London Dojo friends, was in April to visit Italy where there was a seminar with Mrs. Sumi sensei, Hanshi. Again, this was another first for me having never even visited Italy apart from once a a young child. We were in Turin (Torino) and scheduled a tourist day to see the sights before two days of instruction in the dojo. We were even lucky with the weather and had a super day sight-seeing around the town.
Mrs. Sumi doesn’t disappoint – every practice I have ever had with her is a joy! Even in a large hall filled with students, she is able to give you advice and attention to ensure you understand and develop your Naginata practice.
The Italian Torino dojo were wonderful hosts and I hope that I get the opportunity to visit them again next year!
The very next weekend after Italy, I was off to The Netherlands annual seminar with Narita sensei. Yet more firsts, I had never been to The Netherlands seminar and I had never met Narita Sensei. We were very lucky to be invited to join in on Friday evening practice by Mark Berghaan, and got to meet Narita sensei here. And what an impression she made on us! It is always a privilege to train with a Japanese teacher and Narita sensei demonstrated everything that we wish to achieve in Naginata. Her speed, her fluidity, her precision and her sense of humour were a delight throughout the entire weekend – everyone had a chance to practice with her one-on-one and it’s an experience I shall never forget. Despite a language barrier, the international language of Naginata and her enthusiasm for the art means you really understand her points – and when you demonstrate those points back to her, her smile makes you proud! As well as Narita sensei, she was accompanied by Yamana sensei, whom I also got to practice with over the weekend. Another trip to The Netherlands will surely be on my wish list for next year!
Upon returning to London for regular practice, I took advice from both Rachel sensei and Charlotte sensei and decided upon my next trip – California. Not only would I be visiting their annual taikai and seminar, I would also be testing for Nidan.
I booked flights and accommodation with my husband so we could have our holiday there as well, and began to make plans.
July came and we began our journey. My first time in California and it was brilliant – sunshine, heat and Hollywood!
The day came when I could take my first practice with Helen Nakano sensei and her dojo in Torrance. Rarely have I been so excited and nervous. Everyone I met was wonderful – so kind and welcoming! I finally got the chance to actually meet and practice with Kevin Saxton sensei on this first evening session, and got great advice from the start. It was also great to see a fellow European, Axel Noorman from The Netherlands with his new US dojo, and catch up on some practice with him.
Nakano sensei was very kind to me and my husband, making sure we were ok, telling us about the schedule, and focusing on some special advice for me to work on over the coming days.
The seminar day was a treat from start to finish – I got to meet Kurt and Karen Schmucker sensei-tachi, Cathy Mikuni sensei and so many people from all over America, I instantly felt at home. We were split into groups and began to practice hard. Lots of tips and advice were given to us all!
The next day was the US National championships – all on one day! I wondered how this would be possible with so many people and so many different taikai – Dangai engi and individual matches (men and women) Zen Nihon matches, Yudansha engi, individual and team matches (men and women) and yet, everything just flowed smoothly without any hitches! As I couldn’t take part, I helped to keep score as I had done this previously at the European Championships.
And then the third and final day was the day of the exam. Nerves were high, but I found my grading group and settled in. Before I knew it, I was taking off my bogu and it was over…. Now just to wait for the results. And I passed! Everything I had attended and everyone I had practiced with at London dojo and throughout Europe and America in 2016 had lifted me to a new level. Arigato Gozaimashita!
…And there is still the European Championships to look forward to!