The Tsutomu Ito Cup: The Symbol of the Storm:
Planning a regional Taikai is a mountain of work -- Hosting the Taikai, is another mountain of work. Having several of the highest ranking Sensei from around our nation flying in for your Taikai is immeasurable pressure. Taking your YonDan exam at the end of all this -- is close to insanity.
I believe in metaphor and cycles in nature.
This event was over a year in the planning and 3 years of continuous practice, and it all came down to last weekend. I type this hours after its conclusion on the same day.
Our weekend started with a snowstorm. This snowstorm began at around 10m of Friday. Full Overcast, Hazy low clouds - that absorbed the foothills completely.
This storm caused our high-ranking sensei to instantly modify their flights to get in on time. Scrap all arranged transportation plans for sensei coverage -- Engage emergency mode - As I was rushing to the airport to pick up a 7.Dan from an alternate immediate flight late at night -- I ran into the entire interstate closed down to a single lane...queue the queue. More and more sensei’s flights were delayed etc.
I knew this storm was not going to shut down the airport, all would be OK.
All the sensei made it in “on time” but not “as planned” all our planning was thrown away and we moved by cellphone messaging-- Move forward.
Our Dojo is only a small group of about 6-10 people. All of whom worked very hard. I had to MC the whole gig -- ya, no pressure there!
Our team usually places within the Taikai, but this year we were knocked out in the quarter-finals. We lost a tie-match, based on the other team having more “wins”. It was frustrating, but we moved on and finished what we planned --
Meanwhile the storm continued - Gray, light snow.overcast..33 degrees (no freezing, just a mountain “rain” --frozen in the air, hits the ground and turns into water.
Tournament All Day Saturday-- Amazing Competition!
Winners were selected, awards granted -- Celebration dinner for 130 people held and Sensei honored with custom made Bokuto Tsuba. When the dinner bill came all I had to say is “Well...there is a number you don’t see too often...” we will say it was well into the 4 digits.
Celebration Dinner over - YonDan Exam to follow the next AM, but the sensei want to celebrate more -- know when to hand off to your kohai and make your leave.... (I had a test this morning)
I woke up, with a bit of nervousness, anticipation and started thinking way too much --I looked outside and saw the snow, I instantly relaxed - took this photo and wrote: A beautiful light snow for my Yondan exam this morning. A lot of people don't like snow- I love it. It quiets the world, nothing is as quiet as a snowfall in the forest- I will take this as my mental preparation - - a quiet mind--
I got dressed and headed out. First in line for registration, well before any sensei were in the building. I never practice in front of the Sensei prior to a Shinsa. One sensei mentioned to me long ago, to never practice in a Shinsa. That is what the dojo is for -- Shinsa is a presentation of your skills, don’t let them see all of your flaws over and over before you test.
I went in, and prepped my Sonkyo distances, finding landmarks I need to hit on the floor to have a perfect sonkyo for a perfect maai in both Keiko and one for Kata- Find the line, mark, electrical socket - whatever. Find it, use it -- Preparation.
YONDAN TEST: Before my turn, every time I went into anxiety, I closed my eyes and imagined the snow outside. Relaxed --
4.Dan Shinsa - PASS 5/6 Judges
Our Dojo had 100% pass rate for all students, including two YonDan We 3 Yondan passed out of a group of 20.
Successful Seminar with TEAM USA Sensei, Two National Champions
Successful Team Taikai with 140 People.
Godogeiko with National Champion = Total Destruction of any Ego I may had. A wonderfully fun smack down upon myself-- thank you sir, may I have another! He completely obliterated me.
Still snowing as we are wrapping up Godogeiko.
-- 4pm Sensei transported to the airport.
-- 5pm -- Storm ends - Sunshine breaks through for the first time in 3 days.
Now tell me that wasn’t symbolic.