Iaido Competition: Take a Look Around
When we talk about the value of Iaido taikai, advocates point to the pressure of being judged in a win/lose situation, while detractors argue that competition conflicts with the individual nature of the practice.
However, what cannot be debated is the amount of energy and effort it takes to host these events, and if you really pay attention, there are lessons to be learned beyond the hantei decision.
Let’s try turning that internal mindfulness outwards and see what we can find.
#1 Watching the shinpan (judges) can help you improve your discernment of what is good Iai
While ZNKR seitei (standards) manual provides technical guidance on what is acceptable, Iaido is about so much more. How do you quantify depth of practice? How do you compare whether a practitioner has an opponent?
As the tournament progresses, you begin to see patterns of success and failure. You can start painting a picture of what makes good Iai. While it’s helpful to confirm your assumptions, it is even more beneficial to figure out why your preferred competitor fails to advance.
Competition is one of the only times you are allowed to chat with your fellow practitioners. Ask others what they liked or disliked about a performance. Ask them what their own Sensei focus on in class to get an idea of what the different judges might be looking for.
This is when you can really get to know what others in the community within the context of an Iaido event, and not just over drinks. Take advantage of this opportunity!
#2 Watching the back court staff can help you improve your time management, coordination, and communication skills
Competitors have enough to worry about. The pressures of competition are as much mental as they are physical, and individuals don’t need additional stress of knowing when and where they need to be for their match. A well-trained and vigilant back court staff can be the difference between a good and bad competition experience.
Gathering too many competitors at one time clogs up the space, while calling them too late will cause delays that ripple through the whole day. As the competition progresses, the brackets also start getting messy. They are no longer pre-built, but emerge as shiai are completed. Sometimes competitors have to go immediately back on for their next match.
Back court managers need to adapt quickly, understand the capabilities and needs of the time-keepers, score-keepers, and ushers, while making sure competitors know what’s ahead.
Observe and participate. Developing these skills can make you more effective in your personal and professional life.
#3 Watching the awards ceremony can help you learn about people and community
Watch the winners. I’m often impressed by winners at all levels in Iaido competition when they receive their awards. There is a humble confidence about them that says “I earned this through hard work”
Watch the crowd. Equally impressive are the participants who celebrate the achievements of their peers, take pride in their dojo’s accomplishments, and appreciate the experience of challenging themselves.
Watch the organizers and volunteers. Do you see bags under their eyes? Do you see a clear release of tension in their bodies? Take time to acknowledge the immense effort it takes to host these events.
the PURPOSE of Kendo
In the final verse of the Purpose of Kendo “…to promote peace and prosperity among all peoples” , we see the goal of turning our internal practice into external actions.
It’s never too early to observe, learn, and imitate.
(Patrick will be competing in the 5-Dan division)