Maru (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
yakalskovich) wrote2009-07-19 06:49 pm
yakalskovich) wrote2009-07-19 06:49 pm
Square-dancing nazguls
There was a Japanese festival by the tea house behind the Art Hall ('Haus der Kunst') today, and the Nazgul's kendo school did demonstrations. I went to take pictures with the Nazgul's Nikon, and after that chip was full up, I took more pictures with my little Casio Exilim, and when that was full up, I went home.-
They had this old master who told the audience what they were going to do. The students are listening raptly.
They look a bit like square-dancing nazguls, you know. From the old animated LotR movie? They totally square-dance in that, with swords, and this reminds me of it. The Nazgul is the one without a nametag, and with all the hair hanging out in the back, by the way.
One politely touches shinai-tips...
... and then there is much shouting and hitting. Here, the Nazgul is hitting her opponent on the head. I was underwhelmed by their kiai, though. Those were very half-hearted, more mewls than roars. Sorry, Nazgul!
The non-demonstrating students standing on the sidelines and watching though their masks do look a bit spooky and nazgul-like, don't they?
Note the passers-by taking pictures from the other side of the creek. I am sure this looks bizarre to outsiders. I have been told so much about it within the last ten months or so by the Nazgul, I don't find anything odd about it. Plus, a long long time ago, when Big Ben was a little watch, I majored in Japanology...
Apart from the kendo demonstration, the festival showed all aspects of Japanese culture as practiced by westerners (ay many Japanese people, as well). From the highest traditional and philosophical angle (zen school and tea ceremony as well as ikebana) through martial arts and cuisine, to pop culture phenomena like manga and cosplay. There were loads of young women in loud costumes, lots of people wearing kimono (westerners and Japanese alike), and quite a number of very gothy people. I was being Gothy as well -- wearing one of my eagle fibulae as a brooch.
They had this old master who told the audience what they were going to do. The students are listening raptly.
They look a bit like square-dancing nazguls, you know. From the old animated LotR movie? They totally square-dance in that, with swords, and this reminds me of it. The Nazgul is the one without a nametag, and with all the hair hanging out in the back, by the way.
One politely touches shinai-tips...
... and then there is much shouting and hitting. Here, the Nazgul is hitting her opponent on the head. I was underwhelmed by their kiai, though. Those were very half-hearted, more mewls than roars. Sorry, Nazgul!
The non-demonstrating students standing on the sidelines and watching though their masks do look a bit spooky and nazgul-like, don't they?
Note the passers-by taking pictures from the other side of the creek. I am sure this looks bizarre to outsiders. I have been told so much about it within the last ten months or so by the Nazgul, I don't find anything odd about it. Plus, a long long time ago, when Big Ben was a little watch, I majored in Japanology...
Apart from the kendo demonstration, the festival showed all aspects of Japanese culture as practiced by westerners (ay many Japanese people, as well). From the highest traditional and philosophical angle (zen school and tea ceremony as well as ikebana) through martial arts and cuisine, to pop culture phenomena like manga and cosplay. There were loads of young women in loud costumes, lots of people wearing kimono (westerners and Japanese alike), and quite a number of very gothy people. I was being Gothy as well -- wearing one of my eagle fibulae as a brooch.