1st Edinburgh International Kendo Enbu Taikai
Edinburgh, July 2nd-4th 2004

The planning for IKET really began in 2003 after the BKA had conducted a review of what had been achieved by the BKA in staging 12WKC in Glasgow.

The proposal was to develop and enhance the profile of the BKA by organising an event above and beyond anything attempted before. It was only realised later on that it also coincided with the 40th anniversary of the BKA-a perfect excuse for a celebration! So the basic 3-day format of Seminar/Enbu Taikai/ Asa-geiko was produced. Paul Budden (BKA Kendo high grade) determined to make this event unlike any other by opening it up to the public on the Saturday of the Enbu itself. How to do this successfully? Perhaps add cultural arts to a martial arts programme? Fine, but this has been done before. What was needed was active participation and demonstration of the accessibility of the Japanese arts. That was when the idea of practical taster workshops was included. Also several of the demonstrations were to be performed by young people to attract kids to attend IKET.

One of the most important factors was who should the invited kendo teachers be? Initially around eight hachidan sensei were invited and indeed Eiga Naoki and Sato Hiromitsu were personally approached and both said “Yes!” Unfortunately due to a set of circumstances beyond everyone?s control not all could make it. Finally the superb line-up of hachidan sensei who attended was:

Sumi Masatake, Chiba Masashi, Okamura Tadanori, Ueigaki Isao, Tashiro Junichi and very special guest Mr H Matsumoto (sandan)

Japanese members at Edinburgh Kendo club know most of these men as superb teachers and legendary fighters but never dreamt that they would receive teaching from a highly respected kendo teacher and author, an All Japan Champion and high ranking members of the ZNKR!

The scene was set and after sensei-geiko on Thursday evening, the seminar began at noon on Friday with Zen Nippon Bokuto Kihon Waza. Devised by Sumi sensei, this features use of the bokuto to learn basic shinai kendo techniques. It really helps when the man responsible for creating this practice is present to teach you. Hanshi can mean “Perfect picture” and that?s what both Sumi sensei and Chiba sensei were all day. Instruction in Kendo no kata was followed by a very special master class on jodan led by Chiba sensei (3 times All Japan Champion). This was enjoyed by all and was a really informative and detailed examination of this style of the art. The day was by no means exhausting in any physical sense but was intended to leave participants with a lot to consider; and as always Sumi sensei emphasised the simplicity of practice to get the basics right.

Kendo players attended from Poland, USA, Switzerland, Sweden, Germany, France, Belgium, and Italy for this first- hopefully annual- event. Witold Nowakowski chided me that while he and others from Poland have been to the UK three times in the last year, I had not visited Poland once. This should be remedied with Edinburgh Kendo Club?s attendance at the Baltic Cup September, 2004.

On the Friday evening at a Civic Reception hosted by Edinburgh City Council and Councillor Ricky Henderson (Sport and Leisure), the sensei along with John Howell and Alain Ducarme (President of the European Kendo Federation), were presented with commemorative silver quaich while the rest of us tucked into a lovely buffet. We were all impressed by the grandeur of our surroundings and the BKA would like to thank Mr Jim Aitken, Director of the Centre for Sport and Exercise at the University of Edinburgh for all his help in co-ordinating this very special occasion.

When Saturday came there was still no real indication whether the Enbu Taikai event would be a success with the public or not. The BKA had been unable to get financial support from any sporting or cultural body and, with limited publicity budget available we were blinded as to the possible attendance. An early morning interview on BBC Radio Scotland provided a great opportunity to promote the event (and the BKA) so accompanied by Sumi sensei and Sotaro Honda acting as interpreter; we headed off to the BBC studios just around the corner form the venue. The interviewer was in Glasgow and we three were crammed into a very small sound studio in Edinburgh. The interviewer (John Beattie former Scotland and British Lions) was very well informed and Sumi sensei was able to express himself well but I really wish Mr Beattie hadn?t asked me the question “Why are there no more judan in kendo?” in front of sensei – you didn?t hear the reply-thank goodness!

The whole event commenced with the leader from each participating group marching in behind the pipes and drums of the City of Edinburgh Pipe Band and welcoming speeches from John Howell and Jim Aitken on behalf of Edinburgh University.

The martial displays were to be interspersed with kyu to nanadan Enbu Taikai. These were matched pairs who fenced for 3 minutes to demonstrate their best kendo to the sensei and an attentive and responsive audience. Although the time was short (you can go to a World Championships for less than 5 minutes of kendo) this was a very special keiko and was really enjoyed by each participant who received a specially designed menjo.

Unfortunately Chiba sensei became injured on Saturday and could not take part in the Kendo No Kata display with Sumi sensei. The previous day the opinion of those at the kata seminar was that never had two kendoka come so close to really doing the deed and that ipponme was truly awesome!

The aikido demonstration was based strongly on the sword with disarms, controls and throws using bokuto and was really a dynamic and non-stop display. Kendo, karate and judo were strongly represented by kids and young people. In particular the karate demonstration was very well orchestrated and presented to the public. A lot of effort went into this display. The kids from Wakaba Kendo Club gave a wonderful demonstration and inspired several of the kids from my own club to take part in their practical workshop later that afternoon. It is not often that you get to meet a kyudan but we were all happy to have George Kerr Sensei (Chairman of the British Judo Association) in attendance. He also extended his hospitality to the sensei next day for which the BKA is very grateful-Kerr sensei has a wonderful Japanese-style flat right in the heart of Edinburgh city centre. Shorinji Kempo is a Japanese martial art that is still relatively unknown and little seen. It is based on kicks and punches, locks and throws-some of which were performed on the hardwood floor! Ouch!

The Consul General of Japan arrived in time for the iaido, jodo and the (long-awaited) kyudo displays. The iaido demonstration was given by Vic Cook sensei and Fay Goodman sensei who performed Muso Shinden Ryu and Jikiden styles. Goodman sensei also performed 4 kata from Koryu, and a further three 3 kata from Setei (AJKF) iai. Each Nanadan performed the kata both sequentially and harmoniously and almost in one mind as they both completed the Enbu with Seitei kata number 11 finishing in the middle, only missing each other one step to the side! Goodman sensei commented on the hospitality she received while visiting Edinburgh and I am very happy that she had such a favourable view of the event from the point of view of a participant. The intention after all, was to create something new and an event with a special feeling. For the jodo, Keith Rose (Doshin Kenyu Kai [Halifax]) and Steve Boyes from Seishinkan in London performed Shindo Muso Ryu – Koryu: 6 omote waza. They were joined by joined by Billy Smart and Hugh Darby from Shonenjiku Iaido Club in Glasgow who added a further 6 AJKF Setei jodo forms. In particular Steve and Keith?s display was very powerful and dynamic with excellent kiai and zanshin throughout. I am sure that the audience appreciated this as they sat silently throughout both of these displays and then showed their appreciation with thunderous applause.

The kyudo was a sensation and although the complex reigi is not often understood the loosing of the arrows from those eight foot bamboo bows, right on target brought gasps from the audience. It?s impossible to say anything about the kendo hachidan Mohan-geiko – you just had to be there.

In the end the venue was packed all day (that?s nearly 500 people) and at one point there were individuals drawing kyudo bows and grappling in the matted area trying out aikido; the ikebana workshop was full to capacity and there was the thud, thud of people beating on Taiko drums; kids and adults gave kendo a try and the Japanese food stall never stopped making all afternoon, Nine Circles armour shop was very popular and the photographic art, bonsai and sword displays were well attended throughout the day. The Japanese cultural arts were by no means “add on” or considered peripheral to the event as a whole. In fact the public voted with their feet and used the programme wisely to select the arts they wanted to see so there was a constant flux between the hall and the main concourse.

The Sayonara Party was the first time all week that everyone could really relax and there are many stories to be told (Steve Plimbley on the dance floor, “Takin?Eit to the bridge!”). Meanwhile Sumi sensei was totally engrossed with the Highland dancing on show and demonstrated that he is also skilled in the art of disco.

Sunday morning commenced with approximately 30 Edinburgh and Wakaba Kids practicing together. When the sensei arrived the format was:

Chiba sensei: Kids and Kyu grades; suburi and tenouchi
Sumi sensei: Shodan to Sandan; issoku-itto-no-mai and shisei
Okamura sensei: Yondan and above; 5 types of seme

Chiba sensei continued to give personal tuition to those who use jodan-no-kamae and after keiko everyone retired to the pub and gave their impressions of the weekend and said their farewells over a pint or two.

I offer my personal thanks to all the participants who make a special effort to come support the event-especially from overseas. There is a review of the whole event being undertaken so that next year?s event will be improved. The format will inevitably be different but just as worthwhile to attend. The feedback from participants whether old or new friends has been incredibly positive and some of their critical analysis on what could have been done better has been taken on board and will be implemented for IKET 2005.

It was Paul Budden had the drive and vision to continue the excellent development of the BKA as a leading national governing body and the event has been a great success and he should be congratulated for all his efforts. I should also like to thank the BKA on behalf of Edinburgh Kendo Club for allowing us to host this first event. We have an incredible range of skills at our club that we didn?t even realise and they were put to great and effective use.

I have many personal memories of IKET 2004: along with the sensei, there was a special presentation of an IKET commemorative jacket to Jaya Irvine (mudan) who travelled alone down to London for the Ladies?ESeminar and only three hours of kendo; John Hepburn was roundly applauded for all his efforts to develop kendo in Scotland over many years, but the highlight of the entire week (for me) was on Wednesday 30th June when Edinburgh Kendo Club hosted a one hour practice with 5 hachidan sensei. There were 23 club members taking part (Bogu only); including other high grades, the queues were only 2 deep!!!! I raced to fence with Sumi sensei and could hardly contain my excitement going into sonkyo and thinking – “They?re here!”

Steve Bishop
Public Relations Officer (Kendo) British Kendo Association
Dojo Leader Edinburgh Kendo Club

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1st International Kendo Enbu Taikai 2004 – PROGRAMME

A Day of Japanese Martial and Cultural Arts to celebrate – The 40th Anniversary of the British Kendo Association

IKET Schedule Saturday 3rd July 04

12.00: Opening ceremony: Pipes and Drums, Edinburgh TaikoTherapy Drummers, Jake Perry and pupils from Beeslack Community High School, Penicuik

12.10: Kendo no kata

12.45: Aikido: William Coyle, Chief Instructor, Derek Clarke Assistant Instructor, Makotokai Aikido Association, Glasgow

13.15: Kendo: Katsuya Masagaki (4th Dan) and members of Wakaba Kendo Club, London

13.45: Karate: Gordon Mathie (5th Dan) and members of Takushoku Karate Club (Dunfermline)

14.30: Judo: George Kerr (9th Dan), President of the British Judo Federation with Andrew Ramage 3rd Dan and Gordon McCathie 2nd Dan, Kenka Judo Club Edinburgh

15.00: Shorinji Kempo: Richard Thomas (Senior Instructor) and Stuart Mason (Club Captain) from Edinburgh Shorinji Kempo Club

15.15: Jodo-The Way of the Stick: Keith Rose (5th Dan) Doshinkenyukai, William Smart 4th Dan Shonenjiku Iaido Club, Glasgow
Iaido-Sword Drawing: Vic Cook (7th Dan Renshi) Shin Bu Kan, Brighton and Fay Goodman (7th Dan Renshi), Masamune Dojo, Birmingham

16.05: Kyudo-Japanese Archery: Liam OBrien: 7th Dan Kyoshi, Ray Dolphin, 6th dan Renshi, Ritsuko Uechi 4th dan UK Kyudo Association

16.30: 8th Dan Mohan-geiko (demonstration fights)
Masatake Sumi 8th Dan Hanshi
Masahi Chiba 8th Dan Hanshi
Isao Ueigaki 8th Dan Kyoshi
Tadanori Okamura 8th Dan Kyoshi
Junichi Tashiro 8th Dan Kyoshi
16.45: Closing Ceremony

Cultural Programme

12.30-13.30: Taiko Drumming Workshop with Jacob Perry

14.00-15.00: Ikebana Seminar and Workshop with Ruth Davies

Bonsai Exhibition: Scottish Bonsai Association (Penicuik)

Sword Display courtesy of Raymond Flockhart (Edinburgh Kendo Club)

Photography and Artwork by Phill Thornton and Tulta Behm (Edinburgh Kendo Club)

Japanese Cuisine by Bonsai http://www.bonsaibarbistro.co.uk

Equipment Shop Nine Circles: http://www.ninecircles.com