Godo Geiko
- Hosted by SCKR (SoCal)
The Spring
Godo Geiko was hosted by the SoCal group and held at Fullerton
Union High School gym, Fullerton, CA
the weekend of May 14-15, 2012.
There were 39 people attending the event, including
14 from the NCKF. We were split into two groups by rank (mudan-nidan and
sandan-up). Yoshiko sensei was chief
instructor, and taught the senior
group, with assistance from Junko
san. Steve sensei taught the junior group, with assistance
from Owaki san. After the opening 2-arrow shooting, we divided into the two
groups for training. At the end of the first day, we practiced tournament timing and held a tournament (no
teams, just individuals). Prizes were awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place for each
of the junior and senior group.
During the
training, the junior group focused
on taihai, shooting technique, and
shitsu recovery. The senior group received excellent
preparation for the US seminar by Yoshiko sensei's instruction
on the basics -- assemble quickly, take care
to look proper when wearing a kimono, always wear zori (not western shoes) when
in kimono attire, follow the lead of the instructor
(if he or she is in seiza, the students should be in seiza). We also were cautioned to be prepared to do shitsu recovery quickly,
and plan to have people ready to assist with re-stringing the bow, returning
the bow, and attending to dropped arrows. We also experienced gensoku timing in mochimato
sharei, which was a good experience in stamina training.
The SoCal
folks with strong bows (20-24kg) helped us with a test of the azuchi and double-net to be used at the 2012 AKR
seminar. The test helped us finalize the decision
to borrow the SoCal styrofoam azuchi,
as it is free standing and will make the best use of the limited space we have at UC Davis. We will cover the face
with a layer of black ethafoam so
the azuchi appearance will be much
improved. Steve sensei, Miho san, and Eric
Ruth all helped by transporting azuchi
pieces, a 50-foot net, a 3-shajo
maku and other essential components
that we will borrow from the SoCal group. Jon will bring up the remaining azuchi pieces
in June.
Also in
planning for the 2012 AKR seminar, a sensei care
committee has been assembled, comprising Japanese speaking women of the NCKF and
SCaKR groups. Theis group met during the Godo Geiko to make plans for the upcoming 2012 AKR seminar.
Respectfully submitted,
Maria
Peterson
NCKF
President
Spring Godo Gieko May 14-15, 2012: From a Junior NCKF Member
Perspective
As a junior member of the NCKF, attending the spring Godo
Gieko (hosted by the SoCal group in Fullerton, CA) was truly an educational and
memorable experience. The Godo Gieko consisted of a tournament and several
learning sessions. Steve sensei, with the help of Owaki-san, took on the
primary role of instructing the junior students. Steven sensei patiently
described and demonstrated the fundamentals for proper taihai, shooting techniques
and shitsu (mistake) recovery.
For taihai, we were taught the correct way to walk, sit,
stand, turn and bow. Special emphasis was placed on proper breathing, posture
and centering of our movements. In terms of shooting techniques, Steve-sensei
focused on the importance of forming a proper tenouchi (arrangement of the left
hand grip of the bow). While we were shooting, Steve-sensei and Owaki-san gave
us one-on-one instructions on how to improve our individual shooting
techniques. Finally, for shitsu recovery, Steve-sensei demonstrated and asked
us to practice a variety of shitsu possibilities (such as dropping an arrow,
bow or breaking a bow string). Steve-sensei reminded us that the three key
points to recovering from shitsu are: to always maintain proper taihai, recover
quickly and yu (bow) to apologize after shitsu.
During the two day seminar, we were encouraged to ask many
questions. We were not just provided answers, but opportunities to have
hands-on experiences that allowed us to comprehend and appreciate each answer.
In addition to Steve-sensei's instructions, at the the end of Sunday, we had a
"question and answer" session where we could ask any kyudo-related
questions to the senior members. With Yoshiko-sensei and Steve-sensei moderating,
this interactive session was not only informative, it also provided a fantastic
opportunity for the junior students to interact and learn from our senpais
regarding the fundamental teachings of kyudo.
The 2012 spring Godo Gieko was a fantastic opportunity for a
junior NCKF member to learn, improve and be a part of this growing kyudo
community in California.
Respectfully submitted,
Jin Tomshine
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