Bonzuko

A couple days ago, I reported some of the fun goings-on at the second BQC black-belt test. That was about the first part of the day–the Go-Gyo seminar and free response for us testers.

The second half of the proceedings consisted of a four-directional, elemental, wish-fulfilling ritual and demonstrations by all the black belts present, over at beautiful Flatirons Park. The highlight video of said demos is right here: Black Belt Demos 8/23/09. The funny thing to remember when viewing this is: the grass was so wet, our footsteps squished. This is why I went barefoot (which is the way I tested for my first black belt, interestingly enough). There was even a strange floating section of grass, which was so strange and funny to step on, it was a brief distraction.

After we changed into our shiny (er, dusty) new black belts, we all congregated in the park’s shelter for Mexican food and congratulations. Oh, why dusty, you ask? Once a To Shin Do practitioner joins the Black Belt Club, they buy your black belt and hang it on a rack up on the wall. So it absorbs energy, sweat, and collects dust until they take it down finally to give it to you.

Then, the kids went over to the playground and played “Groundies” while the adults hobnobbed. Thanks for the lollipop, Kim!

After, a few of us went out to have a celebratory drink. When I got home, a ceremonial gift of good cold sake, a new sake box, and lucky bamboo were waiting for me, to cap the celebration and honoring of a new phase in my training.

Thanks to everyone who came, saw, photographed, and celebrated with us. It was an event to remember.   ~Jenn