So (does anyone else notice I start all my posts like this? weird…), Alexandria, VA found itself host to a slew of swordsman from around the northeast yesterday at the fifth annual Swordfest 2008. This is the third consecutive Swordfest which I’ve taken part in, and it’s always a nice chance to get to see everyone from the widely diverse practitioner’s community. Everyone who demonstrated was really interesting, and the people who come are always just so nice.

We (and by we I mean I) got up at around 4 am to drive into the city to pick up two of my seniors and make a beeline for Virginia. We got there at a reasonable time before the event started, so breakfast was had and everyone got set up. Our group’s demo wasn’t until later that day, so none of us really bothered to get changed right away. The festivities were begun by the Nakamura Ryu led by Dave Drawdy sensei, and they went through their demonstration. It was a bit more refined than last year, and it was clear that they put a good deal of effort into everything they had this year. Always a great group of guys.

They were followed by the Northern Virginia Academy of Fencing, led by instructor Bill Grandy. Bill and his group made a really interesting presentation last year, as well as being the first non-Asian sword group to demonstrate. Just like Drawdy sensei’s group, it was clear that their historical European swordsmanship demo had a lot of effort put into it, and had a much more refined feel than last year’s which, while informative, didn’t seem to have a lot of preparation time. Again, it was an absolute pleasure to see them again.

A lot of other groups made their presentations, but I really don’t have the space here to really talk about all of them. You’re all certainly welcome to check out SwordFest 2008 – Sword Forum International to see for yourself. Our own demo went well, which was nice, and the Owari Yagyu guys had a really interesting demonstration this year; it’s always a nice treat to get to compare and contrast with our cousins.

Notable moments:

  • The Jikishinkage guys brought a log. Yes, a fucking log. It had its handle shaved down a bit and was about 2 feet long. They are the only guys I know who could train with something like that instead of a regular wooden sword and not surprise anyone.
  • I got thunked on the head pretty nicely during juudachi, the third technique in our run-through of the kuka. My partner who was feeding the technique forgot which one we were supposed to be doing, and since I was supposed to follow her, that didn’t end well. Good thing she doesn’t hit very hard. We maintained good zanshin though, so no big deal. She still feels horrible about it though, so I intend to ride the guilt trip for a while.
  • The kyuudo (traditional Japanese archery) dude thought I was a woman, and tried to cover his embarrassment by explaining to me how his art emphasizes becoming in touch with one’s own “feminine side”. Sorry buddy, you’re just digging your own hole deeper here.
  • No cactus award winners this year, but one group came close and another instructor gets the “pompous ass that nobody liked” award.
  • The head of the Owari Yagyu group introduced them as “the Owari Yagyu Shinkage Ryu, the main branch,” with a glance in our direction. Several loud and muffled coughs followed shortly from our end of the seats. They all, however, seemed to be great guys, so no hard feelings there.

I also finally got to try tameshigiri (test cutting) with my new sword and sucked. I have seriously been spoiled these past few years, only test cutting with long and heavy blades that have been designed for competition cutting. My new sword does not meet any of those specifications, so it was pretty hard. I have a lot of work to do this summer.

*Update* Pictures from the event have now been put online.  Check them out here.