And so I have been to two shiai. Two matches. Have participated in neither of course. Wouldnt have even if I had been allowed. We practice on Mondays and Thursdays, and I am so so so not good at this. In fact this picture here was taken in the practice room about twenty minutes after I somehow got the bow knocked out of my hands and the arrow, having nicked me in the side of the face, ended up about five feet in front of me.

This last shiai was a biggun. People from six schools I think, came to our little arena. I somehow got corralled into keeping the score sheets, but thats ok. Some of the kyudo people were absolutely amazing. If I practiced more, I would be better. However, my sensei has told me I should not practice alone, because Im still a bit dangerous. After the bow-dropping incident I'm inclined to believe.

They say Im advancing and that I should be able to participate in the matches soon. Dont know how I feel about that... I feel that as a gaijin I am held to different standards than everyone else, and people will think "well, we cant expect her to be any good." But of course... I want to do well. hmm. Time will tell of course.