April 12th
Sunday - Day 9
A good night sleep, albeit I awoke around 3 p.m for a pit stop. I actually enjoy the semi awake feeling in the wee hours of late. Can’t say why but it might be something to do with taking control of my dreams or thoughts. Have to ponder this later.
I drove to the Airport and found Tony waiting and in jolly mood. We drove back to the van for breakfast and talked about the upcoming birth of their daughter (yes, they found out) and the day ahead.
Glenda drove us to the venue around 8.30 p.m. while she headed to the craft market ……. Tony immediately felt good at seeing old friends as he hasn’t attended National Kendo events for a number of years. A text from Andrea reassured us that she was fine and not in labour, despite a moment of angst when the mobile rang. We practiced our Kata a couple of times and generally felt good about it. Kata is a series of attack and defence routines between two persons, 10 in all but only seven are performed at the Nationals. It’s like syncronised swimming in the sense that you must “feel” your partner’s every move, the connection being vital.
“But before we do”, there was the Veterans’ Individuals. We “veterans” are over 40 years, the title a matter of much concern and angst. Veteran and vintage cars are ancient. Shouldn’t it be “Masters”? No, this conflicts with the Japanese concept of grandiose achievement. No one has come up with an acceptable name but regardless the competition is made up of Kendo Ka who have been at it for a number of years, with a few holding lofty ranks of 5th and 6th Dan.
I was placed in a pool of four competitors, not the usual three. One was Kevin Humphreys from Queensland who appoached me down a corridor with an open doorway between us. “Be afraid, Oliver, be very afraid!” This was a great parody of a T.V. commercial but as he passed through the doorway his shinai hit both sides of the door frame and fell to the floor. I broke up competely as did he, the moment of bravado lost by the lack of judgement of his surrounds. (Hell, Kevin is a surgeon by profession!).
“But before we do”, there was the Veterans’ Individuals. We “veterans” are over 40 years, the title a matter of much concern and angst. Veteran and vintage cars are ancient. Shouldn’t it be “Masters”? No, this conflicts with the Japanese concept of grandiose achievement. No one has come up with an acceptable name but regardless the competition is made up of Kendo Ka who have been at it for a number of years, with a few holding lofty ranks of 5th and 6th Dan.
I was placed in a pool of four competitors, not the usual three. One was Kevin Humphreys from Queensland who appoached me down a corridor with an open doorway between us. “Be afraid, Oliver, be very afraid!” This was a great parody of a T.V. commercial but as he passed through the doorway his shinai hit both sides of the door frame and fell to the floor. I broke up competely as did he, the moment of bravado lost by the lack of judgement of his surrounds. (Hell, Kevin is a surgeon by profession!).
My first fight was against Kevin and it was spirited. I won 1-nil which was a pity. Next was Ron Bennett which went 2- nil. Unfortunately Brian Brestovac from W.A. fought both and won 2-1 and 2-1 respectively. That gave him a 4 point score to my 3, the points against him not being considered. This put me out even though I hadn’t lost a fight. Yes, I was a tad miffed. Brian went on to come third.
Next was Kata and with some advice from Andrew Lam, last year’s winner, we were feeling confident. We emerged victors against Tasmania and Western Australia and found ourselves facing Queensland in the final.
The tension began to build, the atmosphere was electric….OKAY. On the second kata, I did a strike to Tony’s wrist which he evaded and struck down on mine. Perfect distance and timing. The next move was for me to lower my sword and initiate a mutual move back from each other. Same as every other time we’d performed it together over the last 20 years. So why then did Tony suddenly step forward and raise his sword into the jodan (upper) posture???? Tony!! What are you doing???
Later Tony explained that it, the move, was from an old koryu (old style of Swordsmanship) that he was studying. Regardless, no one had ever seen anyone do anything like it in the number two kata in the 34 years of Australian Kendo Championships! We lost. I can handle that, but poor Tony may never get over, or be allowed to get over his distraction. I was laughing about it straight away, missing the National title didn’t really matter. Every time someone asked how we went there was an uncomfortable silence until we both laughed or Tony admitted, “I stuffed up big time”.
Yano Sensei, one of the three judges came over to us and looked at Tony and began to say,” you know the reason…”
“Yes, I know”, replied Tony, haulting him in his tracks, “The second kata”.
“Okay”, he said and walked away. I detected a slight grin at the corner of his mouth, very much Yano’s sense of humour.
The tension began to build, the atmosphere was electric….OKAY. On the second kata, I did a strike to Tony’s wrist which he evaded and struck down on mine. Perfect distance and timing. The next move was for me to lower my sword and initiate a mutual move back from each other. Same as every other time we’d performed it together over the last 20 years. So why then did Tony suddenly step forward and raise his sword into the jodan (upper) posture???? Tony!! What are you doing???
Later Tony explained that it, the move, was from an old koryu (old style of Swordsmanship) that he was studying. Regardless, no one had ever seen anyone do anything like it in the number two kata in the 34 years of Australian Kendo Championships! We lost. I can handle that, but poor Tony may never get over, or be allowed to get over his distraction. I was laughing about it straight away, missing the National title didn’t really matter. Every time someone asked how we went there was an uncomfortable silence until we both laughed or Tony admitted, “I stuffed up big time”.Yano Sensei, one of the three judges came over to us and looked at Tony and began to say,” you know the reason…”
“Yes, I know”, replied Tony, haulting him in his tracks, “The second kata”.
“Okay”, he said and walked away. I detected a slight grin at the corner of his mouth, very much Yano’s sense of humour.
Without labouring the point, I don’t care about the outcome. The cameraderie between Tony and I is solid and it will become a source of jibe and stirring which we can appreciate. The medal for
second place was okay.
Glenda picked us up at 4.15 p.m. and we drove Tony, still apologising to the Airport. We returned to the van and enjoyed noodles for tea and some wine and things. A nice feeling and the usual relief to have another tournament out of the way, If such a stress, why do we commit ourselves?
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