Episode 0.3 - Iaido
September 5
The first day of school had gone well, all things considered. Yes, Japan was coming out of their summer vacation, but unlike back home, it was their second trimester, not the start of the year. There was a slight skewing of the classes. In some ways, Sunset and the girls were behind and had to catch up. Thankfully, they had been as prepared as possible and the school was used to this hiccup for the exchange students.
While they were the only exchange students, they were not the only new students. Across the globe, summer vacation was a time where families could easily move locations for jobs and other reasons. Two other students in Sunset’s and Rarity’s classroom were new to the school.
With their final class finished, Rarity waved goodbye to Sunset and was gone before Sunset was finished packing up her stuff. Rarity was headed off to her first school club meeting, while Sunset was going to the Iaido club. Sunset would be at Iaido on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Since they were not all in the same classrooms, they had decided to individually pursue the clubs of their interest, to get the most out of their experience. They were treating the clubs more like an elective class at the end of the day. Dash’s volleyball club also made it impossible for them all to join the same club. They knew they would still have plenty of time to see each other outside of school. To help with that, they had decided to meet every morning before school started for fifteen to thirty minutes. This morning they had snapped a group selfie in their uniforms in front of the school, and posted it to their social media account. They also discussed what clubs they had joined.
Clubs were split into two categories: sports and culture. Not every club met each day. For the sports clubs, there was a difference between a recreational club and one that actively competed. Recreational clubs met two or three times a week, while the competition ones met between four and six days a week for practices; depending on tournament schedules. Volleyball was the dominant team sport at the school for both boys and girls and during the second trimester was when several big volleyball tournaments happened. The football club at the school was not a big competitor. That was why Dash was playing volleyball. Dash was doing something with the club Monday through Saturday. The school’s non-competing volleyball club was co-ed and only met on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. They would sometimes do practice matches against the competing clubs, both boys’ and girls’ teams.
Applejack was also in a sports club. She was taking Judo and she was not alone. Twilight was joining her in learning the traditional Japanese martial art. That club met on Monday, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie learned this morning that they had joined the same clubs, but for different reasons. Since the culture clubs they had joined only met once or twice a week, many of the students joined other culture clubs that met on their off days. Eighty percent of the members were in all three clubs because of similar interests and the timing. They often identified one club as their “primary” club which they took slightly more seriously than the other two clubs. Mondays and Wednesdays they would be at the calligraphy club, Tuesdays and Fridays was Japanese tea ceremony, and Thursdays was Ikebana, the art of flower arrangement.
Japanese calligraphy focused on the Kanji characters of Japanese writing, but it was not like English calligraphy. Calligraphy in Japan was not restricted to small fancy letters. Exhibitions included the artful writing of some very large words. Fluttershy’s main focus was the calligraphy club, although she looked forward to the tea ceremony club.
The tea ceremony club was more than just tea. Tea in Japan had huge cultural significance. There was a traditional way to do tea that included a complex ceremony, but the club focused on many other aspects of Japanese high-society culture learned through the club and tea. Pinkie had joined because a part of the tea ceremony included traditional sweets. Rarity had joined to get a deeper understanding of the historical culture that had shaped modern Japan.
Flower arrangement, Ikebana, had its own deep roots in Japan’s culture going back to the Heian period, the eighth to twelfth centuries. It had started for floral offerings made at Buddhist altars and later expanded to have a special place in the home for an arrangement. The club also was the only club to meet just on Thursdays. Half of the members of the flower arranging club did not do calligraphy or tea ceremony, but were there because their main club did not meet on Thursdays and they wanted another club on their file. Which was most likely why it was on Thursdays, as a bulk of club schedules did not meet on Thursdays, so that students could add it to their resumes.
Applejack and Twilight were considering joining now that they knew the others were in it. Sunset was also entertaining the idea as well because Thursdays were the one day the Iaido club did not meet after school, but as much as it would be fun to see her friends, she was unsure if flower arranging was her speed, no matter how traditional it might be or how unique the opportunity.
Many schools in Japan did not have locker rooms. Students would change, if they needed to, in classrooms before their club, or athletes would wear their clothes under their uniform. Fortunately, their school had recently renovated a first-floor corner to serve as locker rooms. They were little more than a place to change and neatly store the student’s uniform. The space was cramped, packing in as many lockers as possible. Lockers were three high with just enough height to fit the jacket on a hanger. Their skirts were shorter than the jackets and easily fit, but the boys would have to neatly fold their pants over hangers to make their slacks fit.
Sunset had been instructed to meet Miss Kato in the locker room for help with the Iaido uniform that she would be borrowing. Miss Kato was a junior and had been a practitioner of Iaido for two years. Sunset caught sight of Twilight and Applejack in their white judo gis. Miss Kato was easy to spot in the locker rooms. Sunset’s locker was by where Miss Kato was. She was in a black uniform, but with a dark gold obi belt under the hakama
Sunset walked up to her. Miss Kato smiled at her as she approached. Sunset bowed first. Miss Kato bowed back, but not as low, because for the purpose of the Iaido club, Miss Kato was the senior rank and it was unbecoming.
“It is a pleasure to have you joining us, Miss Shimmer,” Miss Kato said.
“Thank you,” Sunset replied. “It is an honor to be included.”
“We have never had an exchange student join us,” Miss Kato added. “Everyone is excited. Which locker is yours?”
“86,” Sunset said, pointing to the locker with her thumb.
“They did put you close to us,” Miss Kato said. “There are eight girls in the Iaido club, and they all are assigned lockers between 80 and 95. They are starting without us because they knew it would take time to get you dressed, but we shouldn’t tarry. The upcoming competition has us all on edge.”
Sunset had to be careful with the school uniform as she got undressed. It had to stay as perfect as possible. She had enough, but the school was strict about some of the tinier details. A wrong crease could cause embarrassment. A sloppy uniform would land disciplinary actions. Presentation was everything and the goal was to teach the students the importance of first impressions and lasting impressions. Right or wrong, you were judged by how you looked.
Out of her school clothes and into a sports bra, white tank-top, and white shorts, Sunset was ready for the black Iaido uniform. First was the white underlayer known as the Juban, which looked like the white judo gis Applejack and Twilight had worn, only not as thick. The left side went over the right and was secured by a thin cotton wrap. Over that was Uwagi, or upper shirt, which was, again, left side over right. It looked like a kimono top, but there were differences in the sleeves and it was only about half as long. Over it all to ensure it stayed properly in place was the obi sash. Sunset’s was a dark blue obi with the same white weave pattern that Miss Kato’s gold obi had. The hakama, pleated trousers that almost looked like a skirt, were put on last. They went over the obi and were tied on the waist, one knot in the back and the other at the front.
“There,” Miss Kato said. “That does it for the practice attire. There are a few other things done for competitions.”
“I hope someone will be able to help me tomorrow,” Sunset remarked. “The knots are going to take a few times to learn.”
“It won’t be me, but someone will,” Miss Kato assured her. She picked something up and handed them to Sunset. “I forgot the tabis. We are not allowed to walk barefoot through the halls, so we wear these or the uwabaki, but everything is done barefoot, so we tend to use the tabis as they are more comfortable than the uwabakis are without socks.”
Sunset slipped the traditional split-toed footwear on and followed Miss Kato out into the hall and to one of the first-floor classrooms. The chairs and desks had been pushed to the walls and Mister Shinmi was sitting off to the side watching the others. There were only four boys, compared to the seven girls, all in the same black uniforms except for the obi under the hakama, however, Mister Sugieda, as head of the club, was dressed in a striped grey hakama and dark blue uwagi.
Sunset followed Miss Kato’s lead, setting her backpack along the wall with everyone else’s and then patiently waiting by the door as Mister Sugieda led the others through their current activity. When they stopped and he could be addressed, Sunset and Miss Kato bowed to Mister Sugieda.
Mister Sugieda’s bow was only a slight tip. “Welcome, Miss Shimmer. As we have not formally met, I am Mister Sugieda and I lead this club. We are honored by your presence and choice to join us while you undergo the foreign exchange program.”
“The honor is mine,” Sunset replied.
“I must ensure the others are ready for the upcoming tournament,” Mister Sugieda said. “We only have five weeks to prepare and not everyone was able to practice over the summer. Five weeks isn’t as much time as it might seem, not when the tiniest details are being judged. Shinmi sensei has advised me to focus on the tournament, otherwise, I would gladly begin instructing you. He will instruct you over where you are right now so that neither of our practices collide.”
“Thank you,” Sunset said, bowing.
Miss Kato rushed over to the others and Mister Shinmi stood up. Sunset realized that over his dress pants and shirt, he was wearing an obi. It looked out of place, but his confidence dispelled that notion. He slipped a sheathed sword through the obi and grabbed something before walking over to her.
“Take this,” he said as he respectfully extended a solid wooden sword to Sunset. “Everyone starts Iaido using a wooden sword until they have earned the right to move to a blunted sword. Safety is important as you learn the fundamentals.”
Sunset respectfully took it from him with both hands.
“The right hand is very important,” Mister Shinmi said. “It is what draws the sword and at times is the only hand on the sword. It must be complete, firm, but not overly tight. You are not trying to hold onto it for dear life, but if you were to meet resistance, it shouldn’t move as you make the cut. The grip needs to be loose enough to flex and transition the sword.
“Today, and all week, we will focus on the basic mechanics. Master these, and the rest will come easier. Proper grip and swing are our focus. Then we can move to drawing and sheathing the blade, which is the start and finish of all forms. It will be a slow start, and may not be exciting, but it will pay off after a few weeks.
“This is an ancient art, dating back to the Sixteenth century. Everything done has a purpose and meaning. Nothing is extra. This is the formalized training of the samurai, for their defense, and typically from the seated position like they would be in their homes. The very beginners don’t have to worry about the seated position. They start standing so they learn to build a firm foundation. The key to remember is that you are just a guide, not the muscle. Let the sword flow. Don’t force it.”
Sunset was shown the correct standing position. The bend in the knees and placement of the feet created a comfortable and stable stance. Then she was taught how each hand was to grip the handle. After some adjustments, she was taught how to make the basic cut. It started with the sword at shoulder height and stayed parallel to the floor. It was a smooth motion that ended with the tip facing forward, not a full swing through, because the next step would start with the sword in that position. Even being a wooden sword with girth in the blade, the action was smooth and powerful as it cut through the air.
Those three basics - grip, stance, and cut - took up the hour they had left. The time flew as Mister Shinmi worked her through everything, making adjustments here and there. Sunset’s muscles were feeling the constant use of an action they were not familiar with. It was not weight training, but it would certainly build strength all through her body and core.
At the end, Sunset bowed to Mister Shinmi. “Thank you, Sensei. It was a great honor to begin learning from you.”
“You are a pleasure to teach,” Mister Shinmi replied as he bowed back. “It was a joy to give you instruction. If you keep a level head and stay this course, without rushing forward, you will have a very good grip on the basics by the end of your time here, as well as an amazing understanding of the honor and respect of the sword, culture of the warrior, and humanity as a whole.”
Sunset was going to help put everything back in place, but Mister Sugieda joined them. He bowed slightly to them in greeting since he was now giving them his full attention. “Miss Shimmer, your form is looking good. Tomorrow, Miss Ishii will assist you with getting dressed, but I do hope it doesn’t take too long for you to not need assistance.”
“The knots will be the hardest part, but I will do my best to learn it as fast as possible,” Sunset assured him. “I know your upcoming competition is more than just a performance. You are defending your honor by a show of your skill. Win or lose, no matter where you rank, all in attendance must know that you possess the highest skill possible.”
“Several of us will be tested for rank as well,” Mister Sugieda added. “But your observation is correct. Let us talk as we walk back to the locker rooms, so that Shinmi sensei can go home.”
Everything had been quickly put back in order with impressive speed. The club members were very efficient. Sunset would make sure she pulled her weight for cleanup as expected, but that was clearly not expected of her today.
Sunset and Mister Sugieda both bowed to Mister Shinmi and bid him farewell until tomorrow. They slipped on their tabi shoes and grabbed their backpacks before leaving.
“Forgive my question,” Sunset said. “But while Mister Shinmi was in western clothes, he made the obi and sword seem so natural, almost like you couldn’t tell him he was wearing the wrong clothes because you were the one wrong.”
Mister Sugieda nodded. “He enjoys a quiet life, but that is why I wanted to let you know something that we all know, but none of us acknowledge. He will let others know he practices and that he was internationally ranked in Kendo for a while, but what he won’t readily admit is his family heritage. Like I said, he enjoys the quiet life, and teaching. He finds it the most valuable use of his time teaching history and social studies to the next generations.
“He comes from a very powerful and influential family, mostly on his mother’s side. Arranged marriages are not sanctioned and the classes were abolished in the Meiji Restoration, but there is a lot of history and tradition that still exists, especially in the elites of Japanese’s society. All I know is that his father’s family was important enough that his mother’s family was satisfied that passing the family business on to his father would be safe and beneficial. That, and both his parents love each other deeply.
“Mister Shinmi is second born, so the company goes to his older brother, and it allows him to focus on the future of Japan in an honorable way. His family is old and while they may not be one of the samurai clans, their name is listed as a samurai surname during the Edo period.
“The sword, to him, is more than an art form or cultural heritage. It is a blood heritage. It is family. It is his right. He has a spiritual connection with the steel of a warrior that spans generations of ancestors. It was their job to protect the people of Japan.
“He keeps to that ancient role now by not only teaching Iaido, but the next generation. Teachers in Japan do not major in education like other places, they major in the subject they will teach. He picked history because if you don’t know your history, you are doomed to repeat it. Outside of the classroom, he was one of my first instructors in Iaido. I started when I was eight, barely old enough to hold a sword, and over that time, I have only gotten a little from him about his life. From what I know, it would have been expected of him by his family to earn higher degrees than a simple baccalaureate, but he is not the kind of man to tout a degree title with his name.”
They stopped in front of the entrances to the locker rooms.
Sunset was sure of what he meant, but wanted to respectfully ensure that she understood him. “I was being taught not just by an important person in society, but by someone who has heritage in the art,” Sunset said.
“Exactly,” Mister Sugieda nodded. “I told you this because I believe that you will make good use of it. I believe that you will learn more than just how to swing a sword in our club this semester and that by quietly understanding his heritage, you will be able to take what he says to heart even more. It is one thing to respect an elder and another to respect a practitioner of the art who has the rank to back up his position, but neither of those means that the lesson being taught is taken to heart. But a practitioner who has the blood connection...that is something our club honors. When he speaks, we listen and learn. It also is why he can pair the obi and sword with western clothing and be so comfortable that he makes it look natural.”
“Thank you,” Sunset said, bowing in thanks.
Mister Sugieda bowed back. “I look forward to being able to teach you in a few weeks, Miss Shimmer. There is something very special about you, beyond being able to qualify to be an exchange student. I look forward to determining for myself what that is.”
Mister Sugieda turned and headed into the boy’s locker room. Sunset watched how he confidently glided with purpose over the floor before he disappeared. She headed inside the women’s locker room to get changed and head home after a successful first day of school.
Iaido Club Members
Boys
1. Sugieda Masazumi
2. Yamamoto Niko
3. Hara Tameichi
4. Okumiya Masatake
Girls
1. Kato Rin
2. Akaza Ryoko
3. Hirose Sana
4. Ishin Sara
5. Torii Aika
6. Watanabe Bashira
7. Natsume Kata
8. Abe Tatsuo
9. Shimmer Sunset