Demonstrations for the public is a very important event. This is the opportunity to show people the best of what we do. A time for them to ask questions and clear up misunderstandings they might have about the Japanese sword. Also a good vehicle for gaining potential students.
In Florida, Elder Sensei is constantly having to shuttle around the state to give demos at various dojos and gatherings. For the demonstrator, these can be pretty stressful events. You are under a fair amount of pressure. As any cutter knows, if you are going to screw up, it is when someone is watching. I, along with Sang, had the opportunity to assist Elder Sensei once with a demo at the dojo for the karate guys. Elder Sensei gave a good presentation of both the right and wrong way to cut, I ran around spiking tatami and picking up messy bits, whild Sang sat in seiza "looking Japanese". All in all a good demo. We fulfilled the two Toyama Ryu Demo Requirements... don't bring blood and don't embarrass yourself.
Since moving to the Great White North, I have had the opportunity to give several demos. The first two alone, then later with my students. I gave my first demo for the dojo that was allowing me to start my class there. Toyama was very different from the sword style taught there, but they seemed somewhat impressed. None signed up for the class though...
The second demo was with the dojo at one of the local YMCA's. I got to follow three-foot tall kids in judo gi throwing each other all around the floor (cute as hell!), the other sword class and a pretty good show from the kendo guys. I found it was interesting doing a cutting demo with the sound of bouncing basketballs behind you and people staring from the windows of the exercise rooms.
The nest two demos were interesting because of the locations and the developing dojo situation. The first was the Dragon Festival at Lake Phalen. Outside, beautiful day, lots of Asian booths and displays and food. The other sword class did their demo first. The audience got the chance to see them hit each other with boken, perform inexplicable sword moves while their sensei demonstrated how to drop a sword during noto. Pretty hard act to follow. But we did.
The next one was similar. Japanese Lantern Lighting Festival at Como Park where they have a beautiful Japanese garden and tea house. Once again got to follow the other sword class. This time the audience got to watch them hit each other with boken, perform inexplicable sword moves, set themselves on fire and cut erect cucumbers with their swords. Once again a hard act to follow. But I did. Both times I was thanked by some audience members for the simple act of telling them what I was doing. A good note for all doing demos. Don't just try to amaze them with your skills. They don't know what you are doing. Give a little narration. They appreciate it.
Knowing of my always being open to the chance to enlighten the public about our art, Bryan, one of my students, presented me with the opportunity to do a demo for the Department of Asian Languages and Literature at the University of Minnesota. Sounded pretty cool. Things were arranged. So I set out with Bryan and Aria to awe the Asian Department. We got there. Seems it was a "cabaret" night. Hmmm. And awards were to be given to the top three Performances! We were act number 7 of the 10 to be given that night. The room was your typical college gathering hole. Dark, low ceilings, a stage, microphone, speakers and wires all over the place. The piano was moved just enougn to give us room. People sitting at tables cafe style sipping various soft drinks from cans.
First up was an Iaido student from the Japanese program. Did basic Muso Shinden Ryu. He was followed by a Korean Pop Song and a Hmong Poem. Then a good showing of Chinese Tai Ji set to music, a Hmong Song and a jam group of Indian Music. Finally us. We set up while the Indian musicians unplug and move their instruments and the announcer welcomes us. I begin as always by giving a little history of the art, how it came about and the main guys, uh Senseis, involved. You can't understand how much personal discipline I had to use to control the urge to grab that microphine and lean against the piano. Anyway, we made it short and sweet. Aria demonstrated the eight cuts and she and Bryan did the first 4 kata. I finished it off with your typical kesa-kesa-gyku kessa-suihei on a tatami, demonstrating all the various angles other than 45 you can get with a sword cut. We bowed to thunderous applause, cleaned up our mess, grabbed a couple cans of pop (that's what they call soft drinks up here) and went to watch the rest of the show. The night was finished off with a Chinese Song and the Japanese Bon Festival Dance. And I thought we were pressed for space! All in all a successful evening. Even got a lead or two for potential students. The Asian Department was grateful for our participation. We didn't win any awards but Bryan and Aria got a tee-shirt out of the deal.
Basically I feel it is important for us to take every opportunity to present to the public what we do. Yes, some situations may seem a bit strange, but what better way to celebrate a wedding, birth, divorce, High Holy Day festival or any theatrical gathering than with a little tameshigiri! Just as long as you don't bring blood and embarrass yourself.
Robert Steele
Open Forum
