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Bill Grandy
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PostPosted: Wed 11 Jul, 2007 10:03 pm    Post subject: SwordFest in Alexandria, VA 7/14/07         Reply with quote

For those of you in the area, there is an event this upcoming Saturday (July 14) called Sword Fest in Alexandria, VA. The event is primarily focused on Japanese sword arts, and will have a number of groups demonstrating their arts. I was asked to do a demo on Liechtenauer's longsword, and will be doing that with my student David Rowe at 9:25am. We also plan on demoing a little bit of Italian rapier as well. Also, Scott Rodell will be there representing Chinese swordsmanship (and his work with historical Chinese swordsmanship is awesome).

For myself, I am very much looking forward to seeing Naginata do practiced!

There will also be some sword vendors there. I don't know if any European-styled wares will be there, but I'm certain there will be plenty of Japanese styled sword. Scott may possibly bring some antique Chinese swords, too.

The website is here:

http://capitalareabudokai.org/swordfest.html

I believe the order of the groups will also be the order in which they will present.

Thought I'd pass the info along for anyone interested.

HistoricalHandcrafts.com
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"For practice is better than artfulness. Your exercise can do well without artfulness, but artfulness is not much good without the exercise.” -anonymous 15th century fencing master, MS 3227a
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Bill Grandy
myArmoury Team


myArmoury Team

Location: Northern VA,USA
Joined: 25 Aug 2003
Reading list: 43 books

Spotlight topics: 2
Posts: 4,194

PostPosted: Sun 15 Jul, 2007 10:10 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

SwordFest was a blast. To meet and see so many highly skilled and dedicated practitioners was nothing short of inspiring. It was in some ways for me a little bit intimidating being the only one there (besides my partner, David Rowe) who was presenting a non-Asian martial art, but not only was everyone there very open to the idea on Western Martial Arts, I had people coming up to me all day long who were not only very excited to know of it's existance, but also who were fascinated to talk shop with me about the long list of similarities between our art forms. In fact, throughout the whole day I was able to clearly understand what was going on with most of the techniques being presented despite coming from a completely different background: I just knew the techniques by different names.

It was also fantastic getting to talk shop with people, and to hang out with everyone afterwards. We all went to one of the practitioners homes afterward to have a big BBQ, and we went through roll after roll of tatami there as well. It was really a great time, and I hope to take part again next year. I have to thank Dave Drawdy for inviting me, and to all of the people who put their sweat and backbones into putting the whole thing together.

HistoricalHandcrafts.com
-Inspired by History, Crafted by Hand


"For practice is better than artfulness. Your exercise can do well without artfulness, but artfulness is not much good without the exercise.” -anonymous 15th century fencing master, MS 3227a
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Nate C.




Location: Palo Alto, CA
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PostPosted: Mon 16 Jul, 2007 11:31 am    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Sounds like it was a fun weekend. Strangely, it's not really that surprising that the forms and styles exhibited were very similar. It seems to me (take that for opinion, nothing more) that there are only so many ways you can do something like swing a sword. It stands to reason that the best/most successful basic techniques would rise to the top no matter where you live.

Cheers,

P.S. Pictures Question Big Grin

Nate C.

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"If you are going to kill the man, at least give him a decent salute." - A. Blansitt

If they ever come up with a Swashbuckling School, I think one of the courses should be Laughing, then Jumping Off Something. --Jack Handy
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Bill Grandy
myArmoury Team


myArmoury Team

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PostPosted: Mon 16 Jul, 2007 9:23 pm    Post subject:         Reply with quote

Nate C. wrote:
Strangely, it's not really that surprising that the forms and styles exhibited were very similar. It seems to me (take that for opinion, nothing more) that there are only so many ways you can do something like swing a sword. It stands to reason that the best/most successful basic techniques would rise to the top no matter where you live.


It's funny, because I know that, and I see it all the time. I see it all the time, and have so for years... and yet I'm still always amazed when I see it. Happy It's just cool stuff.

Quote:
P.S. Pictures Question Big Grin


I don't have any pics myself, but there are some vids on YouTube of the kendo and naginata-do demo.

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=swordfest+2007

HistoricalHandcrafts.com
-Inspired by History, Crafted by Hand


"For practice is better than artfulness. Your exercise can do well without artfulness, but artfulness is not much good without the exercise.” -anonymous 15th century fencing master, MS 3227a
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