Austin 2005 Bamboo Festival

We've been performing at the Texas Bamboo Society Festival for a number of years. Bamboo ("Take") is a remarkable species of grass, and it can be used for anything from food and building material to both weapons and fiber for clothing. The annual festival is held at the beautiful Taniguchi Gardens in Zilker park.

My students were nice enough to join me on a typically hot day in August.

Here, Sam Sempai allows me to perform "Take Ori" (breaking the bamboo").

This technique locks the wrist painfully, and my henka (variation) is to also strike the sternum.

Sam Sempai allows me to perform a variation of Gyaku Waza (wrist reversal techniques).

The most fun part is when we get to cut bamboo with swords. This is known as "Take Giri". Left, Montana Sempai whistles through a bamboo stalk.

Here, Matt san cuts a tatami floor mat using a Kesa Giri (shoulder to hip cut).

Matt san favors the Shoto (short sword) and is very talented in the Iaijutsu arts (Art of drawing and cutting with a single motion).

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