Post by Mega Zenjirou Yoshi on Aug 9, 2014 23:31:19 GMT -5
It really is true that you just can't fit everything you want to do into one Pennsic. Still, We are completely satisfied with our first experience, and I think it has convinced my lady that this is a hobby we can share with the whole family.
All in all it was a humbling and educational experience. Though I didn't get to as many activities and classes as I would have liked, I did get a lot squeezed in.
This year was really a sort of scouting mission for us. First Pennsic for my lady and I, and her fourth event, actually her first event lasting more than a day. Fortunately, she had a blast, and is in agreement that playing SCA is something we can eventually make a family affair.
On the downside I didn't get to fight at all, though I attended several martial classes. Sir Bedevere's Katana for SCA class was probably the one which spoke to me most on my current level. His Grace Paul of Bellatrix's two-sword class was a close second. Ii-Sensei's kenjutsu class was perhaps a bit beyond me, though I stepped in part way. Ii-Sensei if you are ever kind enough to repeat the class, I promise to be an attentive student in all the sessions. A class on historical German polearm techniques was also way beyond my meager skill set, though I hope I learned a few tidbits I can eventually use.
Ishiyama-dono's class on suikan was also very eye-opening. Yet another sewing project is added to my list, and I now grok why he values the Kure red book, despite it's known dubious text. This class provided a great example of something I experienced many times in classes: early in the class Ishiyama-dono was describing various bits of the ensemble he had on, and dropped some tidbits about tabi which really cleared up some misconceptions I had about them.
I also sat in on classes by Solveig-Sensei on Japanese cooking, religion, and tea ceremony, which were delightful. With the help of her name book, I also submitted a new Sca name, and was pleased to hear the consulting heralds singing her praises at Herald's Point.
The real highlight, sadly, was Effingham-Sensei and Date-dono's memorial. It was really nice to meet so many SCA- Nihonjin in person, despite the unfortunate circumstances. Hopefully, such a gathering was something both of those lords would find a suitable remembrance
.
All in all, the experience reinforced the notion of the SCA as an educational organization. Shifting my focus to Nippon has in ways made me experience this game as newbie again, despite having played, off and on, for over 30 years. I have so much yet to learn, and am extremely excited by that fact.
All in all it was a humbling and educational experience. Though I didn't get to as many activities and classes as I would have liked, I did get a lot squeezed in.
This year was really a sort of scouting mission for us. First Pennsic for my lady and I, and her fourth event, actually her first event lasting more than a day. Fortunately, she had a blast, and is in agreement that playing SCA is something we can eventually make a family affair.
On the downside I didn't get to fight at all, though I attended several martial classes. Sir Bedevere's Katana for SCA class was probably the one which spoke to me most on my current level. His Grace Paul of Bellatrix's two-sword class was a close second. Ii-Sensei's kenjutsu class was perhaps a bit beyond me, though I stepped in part way. Ii-Sensei if you are ever kind enough to repeat the class, I promise to be an attentive student in all the sessions. A class on historical German polearm techniques was also way beyond my meager skill set, though I hope I learned a few tidbits I can eventually use.
Ishiyama-dono's class on suikan was also very eye-opening. Yet another sewing project is added to my list, and I now grok why he values the Kure red book, despite it's known dubious text. This class provided a great example of something I experienced many times in classes: early in the class Ishiyama-dono was describing various bits of the ensemble he had on, and dropped some tidbits about tabi which really cleared up some misconceptions I had about them.
I also sat in on classes by Solveig-Sensei on Japanese cooking, religion, and tea ceremony, which were delightful. With the help of her name book, I also submitted a new Sca name, and was pleased to hear the consulting heralds singing her praises at Herald's Point.
The real highlight, sadly, was Effingham-Sensei and Date-dono's memorial. It was really nice to meet so many SCA- Nihonjin in person, despite the unfortunate circumstances. Hopefully, such a gathering was something both of those lords would find a suitable remembrance
.
All in all, the experience reinforced the notion of the SCA as an educational organization. Shifting my focus to Nippon has in ways made me experience this game as newbie again, despite having played, off and on, for over 30 years. I have so much yet to learn, and am extremely excited by that fact.
. Mega-dono, banzai! See you next year!