KAMINARIKAN News Digest — Q2 2023

We performed at the anniversary Iaijutsu Taikai, marking thirty years of the International Union of Martial Arts. We demonstrated Tendo-ryu naginatajutsu and the shikake-oji from atarashi naginata. Daria Litunenko performed as naginata, Maxim Ryzhov as tachi, and Daria Belova performed the shikake-odji with Max. The organisers were generous with gifts, and we had the pleasure of greeting Arkady Dolin, one of Russia's most respected Japanologists.

Andrew travelled to Almaty for a three-day seminar led by Pavel Volodarsky (kendo rokudan), President of the Israel Kendo and Budo Federation. The training was intense — some participants could not continue after the first day. With the majority being mudansha, the focus was on endurance and explosive techniques. Andrew brought back useful exercises for our kohai. An isshu-jiai (kendo versus naginata) match was also performed, with Andrew facing Pavel sensei. The hospitality of the local people and the cuisine left a lasting impression.

We fielded two full teams — women's and men's — for the first time in the club's four-year history. The tournament was held over two days at different venues. Five of our women competed, with Dasha Belova receiving the Fighting Spirit award in the individual competition. While results were modest, the experience was invaluable. More teamwork and training lie ahead.

Dasha Belova and Alex Alekseev both took bronze at the III Open Championship of Mendeleev University. Dasha also received a special award from Ladies Kendo Moscow. A successful outing for our kohai!

Andrew attended the White Nights Martial Arts Festival in St Petersburg, though the trip was short — only the Saturday session was possible due to travel constraints. The festival featured individual competitions from 4th kyu to 3rd dan, an Enbu Taikai for yondan and above, tachi-kiri, kenjutsu seminars and a refereeing seminar led by A.Solodovnikov. A new competition format, similar to the Kyoto Taikai, was introduced — two matches of sanbon-shobu without hasoku. Andrew finally had the opportunity for keiko with Andrey Kusurgashev, and kakari-geiko with Kusurgashev and Solodovnikov proved particularly productive. He also trained with Daria Litunenko's club on Petrogradskaya for two hours of naginata keiko and Tendo-ryu.

We welcomed guests from St Petersburg — Marina Shchekoturova and Alexander Myasoedov (both yondan) from the Shiten club. They joined our Monday keiko, shared their techniques, and learned a few of ours. A reminder that wherever you go, if there is a kendo dojo, you will be warmly received.