As you might imagine, a fair amount of room is needed to swing a sword without hurting yourself or someone else. With the 100 plus people attending, we were arranged into smaller groups of like rank. The majority of us remained in the main gym leaving the others to practice in a smaller not very square dance studio across the hall. Even in smaller groups, it was necessary to alternate practice. Just as well, as the day is quite long, beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 4:30 p.m. I especially like the opportunities to train with different senseis. I often hear the same corrections said differently, and while I still may not be able to change it, I do get a new perspective on an old problem.

The tournament is in an interesting format. The kata is set up similarly to a kumite match, a sort of dueling katas. There is a clearly defined "performance ring" and three judges. The winner of the round moves on to the next round. To begin the competition, you face your "opponent" and perform a rei ho (ritualized bow) at the edge of the competition area. This happens right before you take a seat in the on deck area right behind the ring. When called upon, you stand to face three judges arranged at the head of the ring area. Upon the command of the center judge, you begin your presentation side by side with your opponent. The presentation begins with a bow to the judges and the sword and continues with five kata chosen for the event. Five kata are chosen out of a possible 12 for the mudansha division (more for the higher ranking divisions, which senior senseis reveal that morning). The presentation ends the same way that it began, with bows to the judges and the sword.

The event is also timed (six minutes), and you can be disqualified if the clock runs out before you do. It is all accomplished in complete silence. The judges do not want to hear any sounds not made by the cutting sword or parting of the hakama, and even then, subtlety is the key. They are looking for sword technique, spatial awareness, kime, presence, an ability to translate something of a story through each short kata, and -- that most maddening of all requests -- "natural movement"

I was very lucky in the semi finals when my opponent made a mistake and cost himself the round. I then competed in the final, which Matt Blanchard recorded. We have posted it courtesy of www.matchedit.com Footage is of both the Mudansha Cup (1st kyu and below) and Nakanishi Cup (3rd degree and up). I placed 2nd in the former, and my Sensei Pam Parker won the latter. She is the one dressed in black.

The final day is reserved for those testing and is run much like the previous day tournament. Two by two, we step up to be graded. Most people pass, but enough fail to keep it real. I passed.

I can't wait for next year!