The Way (or Path) of the Bow demonstrated at 2011 Swordfest by Kyudo Kai - Bill Reid Sensei

May 4, 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). Embu (demonstrations) are on Saturday 14 May 2011. This year we are also providing training Friday May 13th and Sunday May 15th for nominal fees ($10.00 to $20.00).

Sensei Reid's study and practice of Kyudo is an elegant, ceremonial, non-combative method of shooting the traditional Japanese bow and arrow. Kyudo requires, and therefore develops, a balanced body that works in concert with a peaceful mind.

Kyudo, literally "the Way (or Path) of the Bow," is a path that takes a lifetime to travel. Early progress in the basic forms of Kyudo soon give way to deeper insights into specific details. Each successive insight leads the student to a greater appreciation of the depth, subtlety and sincerity of the Kyudo experience. One of Japan's oldest and purest martial arts, today Kyudo is practiced by men and women throughout the world.

Because the practice of Kyudo involves little in the way of hard physical activity, spirit is extremely important. When the spirit is weak the shooting becomes dull and lifeless. Onuma Sensei taught that if  the spirit is strong one will appear like a deep-flowing river, calm on the surface but with tremendous power hidden in the depths. Compare that to someone whose internal spirit is weak. Like a small stream, they may  appear powerful because of all their noise and turbulence, but underneath they are shallow and devoid of any real power.

The Virginia Kyudo Renmei (VKR) is an affiliate organization of the American Kyudo Renmei (AKR). The AKR operates under the auspices and authority of the All Japan Kyudo Federation (Zen Nihon Kyudo Renmei [ZNKR]) and the International Kyudo Federation (Kokusai Kyudo Renmei [IKYF]).

Join the 2011 Swordfest in Alexandria Virginia (15 South Quaker Lane, Alexandria, VA) on the 13th through the 15th of May. 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," there are donation boxes for a) Japan Relief in Aide and b) Virginia Kenshinkai 501 (c) (3). 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   NoVA Budokai Kendo
08:30 pm   09:30 pm   Aratashii 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  NoVA Budokai 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!

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