From the monthly archives:

October 2009

Photos from UT’s Invitational Team Kendo Tournament

by Austin Otaku on October 26, 2009

Bamboo Blade - Kendo

This weekend, the University of Texas Kendo Association and the Austin Kendo Doshikai hosted the 8th Longhorn Invitational Team Kendo Taikai here in Austin. Teams from around the U.S. and Mexico were represented.

I have to say, this was the coolest event I have had the chance to attend since moving to Austin, despite the crappy parking at UT ($10 event parking) and the fact that there weren’t a lot of seats for spectators. The event cost for guests was free. So you can’t beat that.

Here are some photos from the event:

Longhorn Invitational Team Kendo Taikai Poster Maruyama Kendo Supply
Kendo Match Action - 1 Kendo Match Action - 2
Kendo Match Action - 3 The 8th Longhorn Invitational Team Kendo Taikai
Longhorn Kendo Taikai Participants Gear up Longhorn Invitational Kendo Match Schedule
Longhorn Kendo Taikai Participants Kendo Match Action Shot

If you didn’t get a chance to attend this year’s taikai, keep your calendar open for next year. Generally, the tournament occurs on the second or third week of October.

{ 0 comments }

Standing Meditation – The Art of Kyudo in Austin

by Austin Otaku on October 26, 2009

Kyudo

Saturday morning was clear and crisp; perfect for getting outside and enjoying an Austin-style Fall day. So I decided to head down to the Austin Shambhala Meditation Center to watch the Austin Kyudo Group practicing the traditional art of Japanese archery.

Led by Craig Thompson, the group meets regularly at the Shambhala Center (located on the southwest corner of S. 5th St and Milton St.), usually on Saturday mornings at 9:00am.

Austin Shambhala Meditation Center Sign Austin Shambhala Center Gate
Buddha Statue at Shambhala Center Tibetan Prayer Flags at the Austin Shambhala Center
Side Entrance at Shambhala Center Buddha Under Tree at Shambhala Center
Craig and Students Practice Kyudo

Craig Thompson, Kyudo Instructor

If you’re interested in either attending a kyudo class or just visiting the Austin Shambhala Meditation Center, here’s a map:


View Larger Map

Be sure to contact Craig before you attend, so he can be prepared for you. His e-mail address is TomCraig at aol dot com.

{ 0 comments }

So, you’re in Austin, and you think there’s nothing for you to do this weekend? Oh, you know I can’t just leave you in the dark. There is plenty to keep you busy. … In fact, I have a feeling I’m going to be quite exhausted by Sunday evening.

Friday, October 23rd

  • UT Austin Anime Club – 7:30pm – Starting 3o minutes later than normal, the UT Anime Club will be showing the following episodes:
    • To Aru Majutsu no Index #9
    • Toradora! #9
    • Nodame Cantabile, Paris Chapter #9
    • (Break:  Tokkyuu Tanaka 3-go #7)
    • Legend of Galactic Heroes #63
    • Revolutionary Girl Utena #9
    • Spice and Wolf II #8
    • Zan Sayonara Zetsubou-sensei #9
    • Zettai Karen Children #30
  • Austin Anime Meetup Group – 7pm – Austin’s coolest anime meetup group will be having a meetup downtown at one of its member’s home. Currently, the meetup is full, but there is waiting list if you want to get on it.

Saturday, October 24th

  • Austin Kyudo Club – I’ll bet you didn’t know there was a kyudo (traditional Japanese archery) club in Austin. Well, there is, and they’ll be meeting at the Austin Shambala Meditation Center at 9am on Saturday. If you’re interested, let me know, and I’ll give you the e-mail address of the coordinator.
  • Arcade UFO’s Tekken 6 and Soul Calibur 4 Video Game Tournament12pm - $2 to attend/$10 to compete – Ready to kick some ass? Test your might against some of Austin’s best video gamers at Austin’s only coin-operated Japanese video game arcade. Bring your own PS3 or PS4 controller or just use the machine’s built-in controls.

Tekken and Soul Calibre Tournament

Sunday, October 25th

Here’s the tournament PDF document.

So, as you can see, there’s plenty to keep you busy this weekend if you’re willing to get off your couch. I should be at most of these events, so feel free to introduce yourself and get your picture taken.

{ 3 comments }

Jpop CDJapan


City of Austin Trembles at News of Austin Otaku Using a Knife … Again!

October 18, 2009
Austin Otaku

Following up its successful Sushi Workshop in July, the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin will present sushi chef Jorge from Kenichi for an advanced sushi workshop on Sunday, October 25th at the Triangle Clubhouse (4700 Guadalupe St.) from 1:30pm to 3:30pm. This workshop will allow attendees of the previous workshop to build on their sushi-making [...]

2 comments Read the full article →

San Antonio Museum to Honor Miyazaki with Film Festival & Lecture

October 17, 2009
Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind

The San Antonio Museum of Art continues its celebration of Japanese culture next month with a film festival series and lecture that honors the early work of critically-acclaimed anime writer/director Hayao Miyazaki.
From the official press release:
“Miyazaki’s feature-length films follow legendary characters, often based on mythology or graphic novels, who experience childhood adventure and questions of [...]

3 comments Read the full article →
Jpop CDJapan


Japanese Woodblock Prints Coming to San Antonio Museum of Art

October 13, 2009
Taiso Yoshitoshi Exhibit

If you don’t mind driving a couple of hours south on I-35, the San Antonio Museum of Art will debut one of its four seasonal rotations of the Ukiyo-e or woodblock prints of Tsukioka (Taiso) Yoshitoshi (1839-1892) on November 3rd. The exhibit is called “Seasons of Beauty: Yoshitoshi’s Thirty-Two Aspects of Life,” and it will [...]

1 comment Read the full article →

Kazuhito Yamashita: Classical Guitar Virtuoso

October 11, 2009
Austin Otaku

I know this post is off-topic, but I had to share my impressions of Kazuhito Yamashita’s performance last night here in Austin, which I attended with the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin. Before I begin, I guess I should apologize for not having any pictures or video from that performance, but the organizers of the [...]

0 comments Read the full article →


Manga-ka Konohana Sakuya to Visit Austin

October 7, 2009
Austin Otaku

There have been some rumors lately of a possible visit to the Austin area by manga-ka (manga artists) Konohana Sakuya, which is the working alias of Kouhei Nishino and Tsugumi Nishino. And if these rumors are true, the Japan-America Society of Greater Austin will be hosting them at their monthly cultural salon … possibly on [...]

4 comments Read the full article →

Upcoming Event: Kazuhito Yamashita in Concert

October 7, 2009
Austin Otaku

I apologize for the short notice on this, but Kazuhito Yamashita, world-renowned and Japan’s most celebrated classical guitarist will be performing this weekend here in Austin. Here are the details:
International Concert Series
Proudly Presents
Saturday, October 10th, 2009 at 8PM
Northwest Hills United Methodist Church
7050 Village Center Drive
Tickets $35-$60
512-300-ACGS or AustinClassicalGuitar.org
Yamashita rose to international prominence when he performed [...]

0 comments Read the full article →