Jedi Academies

[tonyc]

So where exactly is this place?

[GeneChing]

[GeneChing]

I’m honored to be a Guest Panelist on the Terra Prime Light Armory 7 Forms Symposium this Independence Day Saturday July 4th 2020 2PM EDT. For details, visit my blog.



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Jedi-Academies
Gene-Goes-Ronin

[GeneChing]

[GeneChing]

[GeneChing]

High-tech 'sassen' duels are an active otaku's dream

Part fencing, part kendo and part freestyle swordfighting, sassen combines multiple disciplines into an undeniably engaging package. | OWEN ZIEGLER
BY OWEN ZIEGLER
STAFF WRITER

Mar 25, 2023

It’s an otherwise normal October night in the Akihabara district in Tokyo as tourists and locals alike plod along the glowing neon streets. Young women in maid outfits beckon half-heartedly to men ambling in and out of ramen shops, PC parts suppliers and anime retailers.

Several floors above? It’s fight after fight to the death.

Figuratively speaking, of course — combatants grasp not steel katanas but carbon fiber batons laden with accelerometers and other sensors, all wrapped in foam to soften the inevitable blows. They swing not to maim or kill but for points, though there’s still a palpable, primal aggression in the air when two competitors face off.

From more than 2,000 entrants competing at satellite preliminaries across the country, a few dozen had won the right to come to Akihabara for the tournament finals of “sassen” and to vie for a ¥100,000 ($767) prize — a decent purse but somehow less motivating than the energy in the air I sensed that day.


From more than 2,000 entrants, only a few dozen advanced to Sassen’s national finals in Akihabara in October. | OWEN ZIEGLER
A mix of traditional kendo, modern fencing and freestyle sports chanbara (a multidisciplinary combat sport that simulates historical Japanese melee combat), sassen can be difficult to define. First begun in 2016, the sport still has a nascent community, the technology underpinning it isn’t without its occasional hiccups, and the name itself is a created word combining inspiration from satsuzen, a Japanese word meaning “wind-breaking” or “dashing” speed, plus techniques used by famed Sengoku Period (1482-1573) swordsman Miyamoto Musashi.

That all might be secondary to a much more salient point, one that snaps into focus as soon as you brandish your electronic sword and stand across a likewise armed opponent: sassen scratches an otaku-shaped itch like few other pursuits.

Rules of war
The basic rules of sassen are simple — the first to score two hits anywhere except their opponent’s head in a 60-second match wins. But pick up a “sassen-to” (the company’s native nomenclature for its high-tech swords) and you quickly learn that this is no simple game of high-tech tag.

For one, competitors are discouraged from swinging wildly. A dedicated official keeps track of the five total swings per match allotted to each contestant. Once those are used up, all you can do is evade your opponent until time runs out. The illuminated batons are also configured so only one section registers as the cutting portion of the would-be blade. Swinging wildly at your opponent may land a hit, but if contact is only with the deadened section of the baton, the embedded sensors won’t register a successful strike. Forget where your edge really is and the decisive blow you think you’ve landed might be the opening your rival is waiting for.


Strength is less important in a sassen duel than speed, positioning and accuracy. | OWEN ZIEGLER
“Each baton is only about 300 grams and 65 centimeters long,” says Seita Sukisaki, chief technical and financial officer at Sassen, who spearheaded the Bluetooth-supported technology underpinning the equipment. “But the carbon sleeve inside has about ¥200,000 (about $1,520) worth of electronics.”

All that alone would be a solid foundation for thrilling duels reminiscent of bygone warriors, but sassen goes one step further: If a combatant lands a successful blow (signaled by a slashing sound played over the PA system), the other has an infinitesimal window, no more than a few tenths of a second, to land a counterstrike. If both combatants effectively cut each other down in the same breath, the two strikes cancel each other out, a sharp ringing sound blares instead of a slash and the breathless match continues.

Over the course of the afternoon, this game mechanic shows itself time and again to be a defining element of sassen. If one competitor outmatches another on footspeed, the other times a lifesaving counterblow instead. Conversely, if an overcommitment to an opening attack leaves a competitor defenseless, presence of mind and a quick wrist keeps them alive for one more moment and one more swing.

“Sassen is meant to be a martial art but one where there’s no real threat of injury or harm,” says Ryoma Motomura, creator of sassen and founder of parent company Satsuzen, who also served as emcee, play-by-play commentator and instant replay judge for close calls during the October competition. “I come from a family of karate-ka (karate athletes), so I know how difficult training and participating in traditional martial arts can be. Sassen, on the other hand, is for everyone — young and old, veterans and newcomers.”


Sassen founder Ryuma Motomura serves as emcee, play-by-play commentator and instant replay judge for some sassen sessions. | OWEN ZIEGLER
Suffering a blow from one of the batons doesn’t feel good, per se, but anyone who managed to walk away from a swiftly thrown dodgeball back in elementary school gym class can also bounce back from even the stiffest of strikes during a sassen match. According to Motomura, sassen is also priced much more invitingly for newcomers than other traditional martial arts. A beginner’s kendo set might run around ¥20,000 to ¥30,000, but one-off trial passes for drop-in sassen sessions go for around ¥1,000 to ¥2,000 with nothing other than your own athletic clothing required.

“Sassen’s soul is a martial art,” says Motomura. “But it’s a much more modern approach — and that’s to do with more than just the technology.”

Triumph and defeat
Astride the blue and black mats, two swordsmen bounce around each other on the balls of their feet. One might feint with their baton to the left; the other might shift his momentum to the right. A swing and a miss draws a few gasps from the modest crowd watching the tournament’s championship match — and when Rikitake Yuto manages to slip his opponent’s attack and counter with his own strike over the top, his half dozen friends explode into cheers.

With six straight wins to advance through the bracket, Yuto, a 20-year-old student and fencer at western Tokyo’s Chuo University, has emerged ahead of the more than 2,000 competitors that originally entered the full tournament.

“It’s my first time at sassen, but it feels great to win,” Yuto tells me, adding that a fellow fencing teammate (who had bowed out of the tournament in an earlier stage) had invited him.

“Kyori machigatta! (I got the distance wrong!)” the vanquished runner-up exclaims, grasping his baton with frustration in both hands above his head.


A sense of camraderie pervades the sassen community despite its relative newness. | OWEN ZIEGLER
For whatever momentary disappointment there was, the mood quickly shifts to something much more communal as Motomura addresses the crowd of competitors and spectators and hands out trophies and awards. Many participants I spoke to emphasize that while the nature of sassen is inherently combative, there are rarely ever heated disputes about who struck who first or whether a particular point should be replayed. Indeed, tournaments like these are still rare for sassen as a whole — many just prefer to drop in and spar with like-minded players in this rented space in Akihabara, outside in a Tokyo park or anywhere else a few rounds might be had.

But what is the champion going to do with the ¥100,000 prize now rightfully his?

“We’re all going out for ramen,” Yuto says — much to the delight of his fencing comrades as they all prepare to spill back out on Akibahara’s lambent streets.

Jedi-Academies
Sassen
Kendo

[GeneChing]

Lights, Sabers, Action: USA Fencing to Welcome Lightfencing as Summer Nationals Demonstration Event
06/28/2023, 10:45AM CDT BY BRYAN WENDELL
From July 5 to July 7, fencers and fans at the Phoenix Convention Center will be treated to an electrifying series of high-tech, high-energy lightfencing matches.



COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Fans of all things Star Wars won’t have to travel to a galaxy far, far away to experience lightfencing. In fact, those attending the 2023 Summer Nationals in Phoenix won’t even have to leave the exhibition hall.

For the first time ever, USA Fencing is thrilled to welcome Terra Prime Lightfencing as a demonstration event at Summer Nationals. From July 5 to July 7, attendees at the Phoenix Convention Center will be treated to an electrifying mix of high-tech, high-energy lightfencing matches.

With a schedule filled with matches, discovery sessions, and Q&A time, there's plenty of opportunity to learn about this exciting sport, watch exhibition bouts and even try your hand at wielding an LED saber! Athletes from Terra Prime will be stationed right at the heart of the action, near Pod G, to ensure no one misses out.

Phil Andrews, CEO of USA Fencing, was among those who had the bright idea to welcome Terra Prime to Summer Nationals and take this opportunity into hyperdrive.

"We are absolutely thrilled to bring Lightfencing to Summer Nationals,” he says. “It's a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate and showcase the sport of fencing in a new and exciting light! I think our fencers will find themselves entertained and pulled in by the fascinating force of this emerging sport."

So, here's what's on the agenda:

Terra Prime Lightfencing
Phoenix Convention Center, main competition hall near Pod G

July 5
11 a.m.: Introduction and demonstration

11:30 a.m.: Lightfencing matches

12:30 p.m.: Q and A (lunch time)

1:30 p.m.: Discovery session for public

2 p.m.: Lightfencing matches

2:30 pm: Q and A

3 p.m.: End of the day's events

July 6
11 a.m.: Lightfencing matches

11:30 a.m.: Discovery session 1

12:30 p.m.: Q and A (lunch time)

1:30 p.m.: Discovery session 2

2 p.m.: Lightfencing matches

2:30 p.m.: Q and A

July 7
11 a.m.: Lightfencing matches

11:30 a.m.: Discovery session 1

12:30 p.m.: Q and A (lunch time)

1:30 p.m.: Discovery session 2

2 p.m.: Lightfencing matches

2:30 p.m.: Q and A

Jedi-Academies
Fencing

[GeneChing]

This is a new showcase event at the Tiger Claw Elite KungFuMagazine.com Championships for May 4, 2024. More info to come...

Jedi-Academies
The May the Fourth LED Saber Championship

[GeneChing]

Lightsaber Dueling Is Officially A Real-World Competitive Sport
BY SEAN MORRISON
PUBLISHED 1 DAY AGO
The perfect sport now exists for those who have always wanted to feel like a Jedi. Here's everything you need to know about lightsaber dueling.



SUMMARY
Lightsaber dueling is now an official competitive sport recognized by the French Fencing Federation.
The sport follows rules similar to traditional fencing but emphasizes wide slashes and sweeping motions, like the moves employed by Jedi in Star Wars.
Lightsaber dueling is growing globally with competitions and schools around the world, including the United States and Europe.

Those with a love for Star Wars can now be a Jedi - or the closest thing to it - in real life, and they can do it competitively via the official sport of lightsaber dueling. Lightsabers have always played a central role in Star Wars, as they are the main weapons of both the Jedi and the Sith. Many viewers of the franchise have imagined using a unique lightsaber type and testing their skills in battle. Luckily, they can now put their dueling skills to the test and see how effective the lightsaber combat forms are for themselves in an official sport.

In 2019, the French Fencing Federation designated lightsaber fencing as an officially recognized competitive sport, according to BBC. Fighters can trade in metal rapiers for plastic sabers that glow in one of the canon lightsaber colors, a move the FFF made in the hopes of drawing in younger competitors and encouraging them to participate in a physical activity. While lightsabers can draw in younger crowds, it also makes the sport interesting for older viewers, as the glowing blades make matches easier to follow. For those who want to see how well they could fight as Jedi Knights, an understanding of the sport is necessary.

How Lightsaber Dueling Works As A Sport



The first Jedi (or Sith) to reach 15 points wins the duel, or whoever has the most points after 3 minutes of play.

According to the full rules set by the Terra Prime Light Armory, lightsaber dueling is very similar to regular fencing, though there are some key differences that make it a more authentic Star Wars experience. Like traditional fencing, points are awarded for blows that land on the opponents' head or body, arms or legs, and hands, in increments of five, three, and one, respectively. The first Jedi (or Sith) to reach 15 points wins the duel, or whoever has the most points after 3 minutes of play.

The key difference is that in lightsaber dueling, points can only be scored if the blade starts pointing behind the attacker. That rule prevents the jabs that are key to traditional fencing, and encourages fighters to use wide slashes and sweeping motions instead, just like the best Jedi duelists. While rules may vary based on organization and location, they generally follow these broad guidelines.

Where Can You Compete In Lightsaber Dueling?
Lightsaber duels in the Star Wars trilogies.

Those who wish to participate in the dueling activities can find locations across the world. France was one of the first countries to recognize it as an official variation of fencing, and the first national championship was held in 2023, according to France 24 English. Lightsaber dueling is also spreading throughout the United States, with organizations such as the Lightspeed Saber League serving as a resource for official and unofficial teams while also sponsoring the formation of new groups across the country. There are also schools, like LudoSport International, that teach lightsaber dueling across the world, including Brazil, Italy, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and more.

Lightsaber dueling seems like a fantastic way to celebrate a franchise as beloved as Star Wars. The sport allows participants to get involved in a physical activity and join an in-person community, while at the same time showing off their impressive weaponry and skills. Until technology is able to replicate a real lightsaber like those seen in Star Wars, lightsaber dueling seems like the best option to feel like a Jedi in real life.

Sources: BBC, Terra Prime Light Armory, France 24 English, Lightspeed Saber League, LudoSport International

We are cooperating with TPLA for our The-May-the-Fourth-LED-Saber-Championship

Jedi-Academies

[GeneChing]

This is poached off the Star Trek vs. Star Wars thread. It really stands on it's own now.

There are more pix if you follow the link. Needs some bumping EDM and I'd play...

‘Star Wars’ fans become Jedi padawans at light saber school
Feb. 21, 2013 | 1:16 p.m.
A group of San Francisco "Star Wars" fans called the Golden Gate Knights meet weekly for a light saber combat choreography class. Jim Collum, foreground, and other students work on their light saber skills. (Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)

If you ever watched “Star Wars” and longed to wield a light saber of your own, you’re not alone, young padawan. A San Francisco “Star Wars” fan has created a combat choreography class for the Jedi and Sith weapon.

The class is the brainchild of Alain Bloch, a 32-year-old software engineer with a lifelong love of George Lucas’ epic space opera.

“There are a lot of really awesome costuming groups in the Bay Area, but there was no one that was doing reenactments of the light saber battles that you find in movies, which I find to be some of the most exciting parts of them,” Bloch told Hero Complex. “So I went around and was actually looking for somebody who could possibly teach me how to do this sort of choreography.”


Golden Gate Knights instructor Alain Block demonstrates a move for his class. (Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)

Bloch found Matthew Carauddo, a fencing instructor and martial artist who works on stage choreography and teaches fencing in the Los Altos area, south of San Francisco. Carauddo was also a self-professed “Star Wars” geek and taught kids light saber choreography to supplement fencing, Bloch said. He trained Bloch, and then the pair founded Golden Gate Knights to bring more padawans into the Jedi order.

Two years later, the class meets weekly, with roughly 25 people (many in costume) slicing, jumping, spinning, parrying and meditating for three hours every Sunday. Classes cost $10 and are open to adults and teenagers accompanied by parents. Bloch refers children to Carauddo, who no longer teaches with Golden Gate Knights and runs his own classes in San Francisco’s South Bay area. For the last few sessions, Bloch said, he’s had to turn people away due to the space constraints of the dance studio where the group meets.

“We have people who have their own light sabers and really want to learn how to use them and look cool flourishing them around,” Bloch said. “We have people who are into film who want to learn how to do some choreography for their film projects. And we have just a lot of people who are interested in fun weekend activities who want to come out and do something interesting. We have a lot of people are into ‘Star Wars,’ or at least curious about ‘Star Wars.’ And we have a lot of people come out on fun dates.”

Part of the appeal, Bloch said, is in the weapon itself. In the “Star Wars” films, the light saber is a sort of laser sword wielded only by members of the Jedi order and their dark counterpart, the Sith. It is, as Obi-Wan Kenobi told Luke Skywalker in “A New Hope,” an “elegant weapon” as well as a symbol.

“The light saber is a very iconic element to ‘Star Wars,’” Bloch said. “It’s the sword. You see that in all sorts of stories and movies — it sort of represents this force of change. And there’s a virtuous element to the light saber; it’s made of light, and only those who are keen to the Force can wield it effectively. Since I was a kid, I wanted a light saber. It would be very symbolic of being a hero, in a sense. So a lot of people come to our class, and they kind of want to live out that childhood or maybe adulthood fantasy of being a Jedi knight, so our class is sort of a dream come true to them.”

The class has grown to the point that it’s self-sustaining, Bloch said, but he’s not going to be quitting his day job anytime soon.

“It’s just something I do on the side,” he said. “Only on the weekends I get to don my Jedi robes and feel the Force.”

For Los Angeles-based “Star Wars” fans who want to learn the ways of the Jedi, Bloch recommends classes held by the Saber Guild, or instructional DVDs (co-created by Carauddo and martial artist Mark Preader) for sale at www.sabercombat.com.

[Lucas]

We should sith storm their temple.

[David Jamieson]

We should sith storm their temple.

No can do. There are only ever 2 sith at a time. Master/student.

Kind of hard to storm anything with2 guys no matter how powerful they can shoot the electric boo boos out their hands.

[GeneChing]

There are more images if you follow the link.

Martial Arts Lightsaber Paintings Slice Through the Dark
BY JAKOB SCHILLER08.07.136:30 AM


In his new Light Painting KATA series, Patrick Rochon makes fluid designs by moving around in a martial arts-inspired dance while holding custom lightsaber flashlights.

“The process is definitely a performance,” says Rochon, who lives in Montreal. “The movement I use is a way for me to express my feelings. I was like, here is my energy translated into an art form.”

Kata is in the title because it’s a Japanese word that refers to the kind of repetitive training or choreography that happens in martial arts.

All the photos are made in a completely dark room. Rochon says he moves, often to music, until he thinks he’s finished. Each exposure is between one and five minutes, and he usually has to do several takes before he’s satisfied. Occasionally, he only needs one.

“Sometimes I get into a different state of mind, and before I look at the camera, I know it’s going to be good,” he says.

[MasterKiller]

No can do. There are only ever 2 sith at a time. Master/student.

Kind of hard to storm anything with2 guys no matter how powerful they can shoot the electric boo boos out their hands.

Actually, there are periods during which Sith armies number in the tens of thousands. Count Dooku himself only agreed to join Sidious because he was promised he would be allowed to create his own standing Sith army to police the galaxy, as he felt the Jedi had become incompetent.

[GeneChing]

Meanwhile, check this out: Best Fencing Event Teaser Ever ! Fencing World Championships 2013 - Budapest