Virginia Kenshinkai 2011 Swordfest presents Northern Virginia Tendokan Aratashii Naginata

May 3, 2011 - PRLog -- Virginia Kenshinkai is pleased to present our Sixth Annual Swordfest and an outstanding opportunity to reach Mixed Art Edged Weaponry, Japanese Community, and East | West Sword Art practitioners and enthusiasts 13–15 May 2011. Swordfest is an annual event held  by the Virginia Kenshinkai at Capital Area Budokai in Alexandria Virginia (Metropolitan Washington Region). This year we are also featuring training on Friday May 13th and Sunday May 15th for nominal fees.

Naginatajutsu fulfills tradition and is practiced by both men and women. It combines the traditional forms - or kata - with actual sparring - perhaps the most famous polearm of Japan. It was used by the buke - the warrior class of Japan - for centuries. It became part of the traditional progression of an ancient battle, surpassing the sword as the weapon of choice for men in large scale combat. Women learned its use to defend the home and castle.

The original characters for the naginata meant 'long sword' because the blade is made in a fashion similar to the tachi and katana, although it has developed its own characteristics over the centuries. Like all polearms, the metal head is attached to a long body of wood - perhaps 2 meters or more in length. Its length added reach and leverage, making it deadly against horsed and armored opponents.

During the peace of the Tokugawa shogunate, it became the traditional weapon of women, and was often part of a samurai daughter's dowry. There are many traditional ryuha that still teach the old naginata kata, using wooden naginata, just as kenjutsu schools might use a bokuto. One of the more famous is Tendo Ryu Naginatajutsu - the Naginata techniques of the Tendo family school.

Tendo Ryu Naginatajutsu grew up alongside of the sword arts of Japan, and was taught under the All Japan Kendo Federation for many years. Using kendo-like equipment, and a bamboo-bladed weapon, tournament matches may be held. This 'new' form is called 'Atarashii Naginata', and has grown large enough to have its own international federation. Atarashii Naginata is rare in North America, with barely 100 ranked practitioners in all of the United States, spread between California, Colorado, Illinois, New York, and the Washington DC metropolitan area - this is worthy of your commitment to come and observe the experts in this rare Mixed Sword Art form.

Join the 2011 Swordfest in Alexandria Virginia (15 South Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA) on the 13th through the 15th of May. Our itinerary is included below. These are "indoor events." Saturday 14 May is FREE - all demonstrations and exhibits take place on Saturday. The rock stars of the Mixed Sword Arts and Edged Weaponry from the East | West will be featured throughout Saturday's demos. Friday 13 May and Sunday 15 May are training sessions and while they are filling up quickly - some seats remain available. Observational seating at reduced fees will be available at the door. So don't miss this, our Sixth Annual event.

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On Saturday 14 May all demonstrations and exhibits are "free." Please reach out to us for a training schedule to ensure your seat at "nominal" rates ($10.00 to $20.00 per hour-long session) for Friday evening 13th of May or Sunday morning 15th of May.

Our basic itinerary is presented for your reference here:

Friday 13 May 2011 – Training Schedule
05:45 pm   06:00 pm   Welcome to 2011 Swordfest Training Session #1
06:00 pm   06:30 pm   Shakuhachi Flute
06:30 pm   07:30 pm   Nakamura Ryu Happo Giri Toho
07:30 pm   08:30 pm   Shin Shin Sekiguchi Ryu Iaido
08:30 pm   09:30 pm   Kendo
08:30 pm   09:30 pm   Naginata
10:00 pm   12:00 am   Washington DC Activities | Sedan Service City Tours

Saturday 14 May 2011 – Exhibitor Schedule
09:15 am   09:30 am   Welcome by Sensei Drawdy
09:30 am   09:50 am   Northern Virginia Budokai, Kendo - Brian Sherry Sensei
09:50 am   10:10 am   Northern Virginia Tendokan, Aratashii Naginata - Fran Vall Sensei
10:10 am   10:30 am   Capital Area Jodokai, Shindo Muso Ryu Jodo - Dan Pearson Sensei
10:30 am   11:00 am   New York Historical Fencing Association - Michael Edelson Lead Instructor
11:00 am   11:30 am   Shin Dojo, Mugai Ryu Meishiha - Rob Rivers Sensei
11:30 am   12:00 pm   Yagyu Shinkage Ryu Hyoho - Paul Manogue Sensei
12:00 pm   12:30 pm   Lunch Break--------------Lunch Break
12:30 pm   12:50 pm   Shakuhachi Flute Playing - Raymond Sosnowski Sensei
12:50 pm   01:20 pm   Virginia Kenshinkai Nakamura Ryu Batto Do - Dave Drawdy Sensei
01:20 pm   01:50 pm   Byakkokan Dojo, Toyama Ryu, USBDF - Sang Kim Sensei
01:50 pm   02:20 pm   NVA Assalto - Steven Reich Lead Instructor
02:30 pm   02:50 pm   Shutokukan Dojo - Meik Skoss Sensei
02:50 pm   03:20 pm   Shin Shin Sekiguchi Ryu - Dan Keupp Sensei
03:20 pm   04:05 pm   Hobyokan Dojo - David Hall Sensei
04:05 pm   04:35 pm   Northern Virginia Kyudo Kai - Bill Reid Sensei

Sunday 15 May 2011 – Training Schedule
06:30 am   07:30 am   Exhibitor Registration and Move-In
07:45 am   08:00 am   Welcome to 2011 Swordfest Training Session #2
09:00 am   10:00 am   New York Historical Fencing Association
09:00 am   10:00 am   Toyama Ryu, US Battodo Federation
10:00 am   11:00 am   Gekken Sparring
10:00 am   11:00 am   NoVA Assalto, Spadone Large Sword
11:00 am   12:00 pm   Sekiguchi Ryu Kenjutsu
11:00 am    12:00 pm   Kendo
12:00 pm   12:15 pm   Closing Thoughts (Ketsumatsu) by Sensei Drawdy
Washington DC Activities | Sedan Service City Tours (late evening)

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About the Virginia Kenshinkai: a 501(c)(3), Virginia Kenshinkai provides student training and education, sponsored trips to international and national venues, and facilitates appreciation of Japanese culture and history centered on Japanese Sword Arts. Invitations are extended to elicit further tradition, participation, education, community awareness and market capabilities. This year we will be accepting donations to aid our friends in Japan in the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami. These are to be remitted to affiliate organizations within Japan to use at their discretion in restoration and renewal.

We appreciate community support and look forward to your participation. Join us in Alexandria for an outstanding 2011 Swordfest. If you have any questions regarding exhibition, training, sponsor, vendor, marketing and literature distribution opportunities - please contact Ms. Donna L. Quesinberry at dp@donnaink.com.

See you 13-15 May!
Visit this link of Holly Morris from Fox 5 news gaining some specialized training:
http://www.myfoxdc.com/dpp/mornings/holly_live/holly-morr...

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