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Travel & training in Japan day by day journal
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| gojuryu |
Posted on 15-07-2006 00:57
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Site Administrator
Posts: 885
Joined: 02.04.05
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Well tomorrow I'm returning to Japan for a two week tenure through for training, meetings, seminar and Seiwakai Yondan Shinsa [audition] which I believe I'm not really due to take until November however what the hey.
I thought it would be a good idea to post on a 'once a day' type journal. So many other members have written about what to do, how to go about, where to stay, what to eat, how much cost, yadda yadda so I'll follow this up just before I take off to my final arrival at the Narita Airport for departure.
For those of you that either live there, traveled there or have trained there, you'll chuckle at the thoughts that go through a persons head that stands 193 cm tall, for those of you whom haven't been yet, enjoy.
Edited by gojuryu on 11-09-2006 12:04 |
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| joe_swift_jpn |
Posted on 15-07-2006 18:08
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Newbie
Posts: 22
Joined: 07.05.06
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Howdy. Where in Japan will you be staying? If in Tokyo, stop by the dojo and we can throw each other around for a couple of hours! |
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| xianzhong |
Posted on 16-07-2006 04:37
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Kyu Holder
Posts: 96
Joined: 15.05.05
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awesome JP, good luck and post pictures or video if you can, that would be great... |
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| Gojukaisda |
Posted on 16-07-2006 10:23
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Administrator
Posts: 366
Joined: 17.04.05
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Good training with you last week at Sabater's... Looking forward to your posts on your trip.
Image below:
Hershel Sabater, Brian B [Gojukaisda] and JP Williams [gojuryu] after training in San Jose California 2006.
Edited by gojuryu on 16-08-2006 14:07 |
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| gojuryu |
Posted on 16-07-2006 23:23
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Site Administrator
Posts: 885
Joined: 02.04.05
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Well day one. We arrived here yesterday, Hana from Chicago and Timmy from South Africa met me in the airport. Both forgot their rail pass back home however can have them fedex'ed to Tokyo. We are staying at the regular place, the Kimi Ryokan in Ikebukuro.
Just as we arrive at the Ryokan I realize that I must have had a blonde moment. I left my sports coat / suit jacket in the overhead bin on the Shinkansen [train]. It wouldn't be all that bad except that it is a Burberry Jacket and did cost a pretty penny. I unpack my things and head back over to the train station. Stress and wet I'm directed to go from one location to another before finally I give up and head straight for Koban [police] to speak to them. My limited Japanese is still much better than their limited English and I get the point across. You would think I can speak perfect Japanese after 30 plus years but oh well. They take the report, wish me good luck [one even says good seeing you again as he has seen me a few times over the years] and I am on my way in search of food and a network connection.
Tonight I'm going to Yokohama and may get stuck and have to stay at a friends place but it's all to enjoy the fruits life has to offer.
This mornings workout was different. Because of the holiday so many things here are closed [it is Sea Day]. I woke up with the sun on my face and the crow outside of my window. I threw an apple core at him and he got the message, flew to get it and kept on going.
While out running I found a neat little park tucked away behind a Pachinko parlor so I jogged back, grabbed my gi and returned to do some kata, focusing on the Kata that will be on my test.
Right now I'm at the manga kissa [internet cafe] and will leave soon because of the price however will be using hotel lobbys tomorrow in Tokyu or Shinjyuku, sign up for a WiFi iPass [only Y500 per day] and work like a madman. I've already wasted almost two hours here using my Skype out to call clients, friends and family back home. Ooooops, figured out it was almost midnight when I was ringing them. Oh well. off to spend more money. More to come tomorrow.
Edited by gojuryu on 16-08-2006 10:30 |
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| gojuryu |
Posted on 17-07-2006 18:59
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Site Administrator
Posts: 885
Joined: 02.04.05
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Sorry for the short note previousely,
Monday July 17th, Ya see, when I arrived at Narita airport, I purchased my WiFi iPass because it is just so darned inexpensive and handy. When we arrived in Ikebukuro at the Kimi Ryokan [Y4500 per night for single occupancy room and Y6500 per night double occupancy room] and the search for a WiFi signal was on. I wanted to spare myself the embarrasment of walking around with my laptop open waiting for something to pop up so I opted for the local Manga-Kissa [internet Cafe] for only Y350 for the first half hour and Y80 for each additional 15 minutes. Kohee [Coffee], tea, creamed corn soup, orange drink and frosti are all free with internet use so of course I had to take advantage of it. I connected with my Skype internet VoIP and made a few phone calls home and to various other places for work and friends both in California and here in Japan.
I can't believe I find time to sneak in a cigarette after not having one for several weeks. A terrible mistake and I hope I don't pay for it later-on.
Next stop Yokohama. Did you know that there is a country-side in Yokohama? I sure didn't. I jumped on the JR from Ikebukuro to Yokohama only to arrive extremely late because I wasn't paying attention and got off at the wrong stop in Atami. Then had to back track to Yokohama station and figure out which way was the TGIF Restaurant [it was the west exit of the station]. I arrived at the meeting point very late but I did arrive.
Immediately off to a different location. A 35 minute drive to the other side of town and suddenly mountains and forest. IN YOKOHAMA? If you know the current history and industry of Yokohama. I swear it looked like the mountain region of Omagari - really, honto! So for the evening I enjoyed the fresh air quiet country side of Yokohama [that just doesn't sound right], Around 11:30 we arrive, hey - almost 2 hours after leaving Ikebukuro and the Ryokan. A quick phone call and just up one of the hills Morinoye. A mountain side hotel and hot spring. Yokohama residence stay for Y4000 per night and children for only Y1000 per night. So a full sized [see pictures] room with table for 6 and enough space in the sleeping area for 6 cost me only Y4000 for one night and I woke to the sounds of rain against the forest, fresh fruit in the basket, warm breakfasts being prepared in the down stairs hall and children laughing at the hot springs.
A great nights sleep behind me, it's now time to explore around Yokohama, especially to find an internet cafe to connect, check email and post this then back to Shureido Nakano Tokyo office [fyi, Tokyo Shureido and Shureido Okinawa are NOT the same company. Shureido Okinawa does have an office in the Nakano area of Tokyo and it is specifically Shureido - Tokyo office].
More to come later along with pictures and such after my meeting in Nakano and hopefully get a chance to meet with Joe Swift this coming Saturday or so.
Edited by gojuryu on 15-08-2006 22:06 |
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| gojuryu |
Posted on 18-07-2006 09:03
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Site Administrator
Posts: 885
Joined: 02.04.05
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So today's training was hot humid and sticky. I made it out of Yokohama, back to Ikebukuro and off to Nakano. The Shureido store closes at 6:00 pm and I arrived at 5:45. First thing I see is Alisa Au, George Kotaka and Atsuko Wakai posters hung at my eye level. How strange for me. All signed pictures and such too. I picked up the latest issue of JKFan while there as wall as my replacement belt as ordered from Okinawa [my 4th now that has been stolen, the first three were taken from bags in the car, SF is legendary for the homeless that check your doors and trunk if they are unlocked and steal all your contents, however this one came up missing as it was in the saddlebag of my bike, this time someone stole the entire bike], and had a chance to chat with them a bit. Yoshiaki Ajari from Wadokai will be in town just after I leave to attend the JKF Wadokai championships and seminar.
Next off to Kinokuniya in Shinjuku. I completely forgot about the security guard that follows all the foreigners around and this time I approached him and asked him to hold my bag then went off to read a magazine. The entire magazine. He was stunned and I was grinning from ear to ear. heheheheeee - aint I a stinker.
Now back to the train station to exchange my JR rail pass voucher for a real rail pass. I only ordered a 14 day pass however am here for a few days longer and my longest leg is on my final day.
The rain has yet to stop, the humidity is wonderful for my hair and the heat combined with it is killing my morning run. I ran through Sanchin, Tensho, Seiunchin and Shisochin this morning again, three times each. Then pushed out some Olympic training center style situps / crunches, just to keep things strong.
I've just left the Ryokan and begged for permission to return late [curfew is 1:00 am and they lock the door after]. Right now it is 1:00 am here and I'm using my Skype at the internet cafe to call into my mandatory Tuesday morning meeting at work however will have to run soon to get some sleep. We are off to Omagari to Seiwakai HQ tomorrow afternoon. Like an idiot I've been smoking. I should have thrown away the pack when I had the first one. Then again I also shouldn't have had those three free expresso's in the internet cafe.
We will have a two hour work out after a short rest then and informal meeting over beers and coffee [depending on your preference of poison]. Informal because we are still waiting for additional attendees to arrive [and that's just Seiwakai not including the other members of the JKF Gojukai that are to attend]. More to come,
TTYL
Edited by gojuryu on 15-08-2006 22:08 |
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| gojuryu |
Posted on 22-07-2006 07:49
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Site Administrator
Posts: 885
Joined: 02.04.05
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Wow are my bones, muscles, brain, everything tired. Today is Saturday evening however I'll start with Thursday as it was our first day of training here in Omagari.
Wednesday - of course we took the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Omagari [now called Daisen]. Long train ride however a wonderful view of the countryside in exchange. Apparently we left just in time as a Typhoon is hitting the west coast today and expected in Tokyo tonight. As usual the train is full of curious people wondering where on earth the multi-ethnic guy is from. Another foreigner onboard attempts to speak Portugese to me, something I haven't really tried since 1997 in Brasil. We get off the train in Omagari and walk to the Ohara hotel [owned and operated by Fujiwara Sensei and his wife]. We find them there happy and tired from preparations of the coming weeks as Fujiwara Sensei is hosting the entire JKF Gojukai in Akita and shortly after is the Hanabi Festival [fireworks] famous here in Omagari. We've arrived around 5:00 and are exhausted as well so we opt to take the evening off to rest up for training tomorrow which starts at 9:00 am and continues to 5:00 pm as it will for five days straight. Get ready to rumble, Seiwakai style.
Thursday - 9:00 am training. We start with 40 minutes of Kihon and Kihon ido - intensive style as Fujiwara must evaluate us before Mr. Tasaki Sensei arrives on Friday evening after class. Corrections corrections corrections. Then a 20 minute break and start immediately after with an hour of Sanchin. Memories of Omagari are always great however I forgot about the sweat that comes with the splendid educational opportunity. Yowza. Message to self, always bring athletic tape to Japan. The humidity here combined with the Budokan floors that are slightly different than back home, are ripping the skin off of my feet. I found a local Drug Store that I could pick up a few rolls and return what I already borrowed from Jonne Cattin [Switzerland]. After the lunch break we jump right back to work and go after Sanchin and Tensho, about an hour of each back to back. Then an hour of Saifa and an hour of Senunchin. End of day, we limp back to the hotel [some took the easy way by cab]. I can't believe I brought a knee brace and didn't wear it today. The first thing to do when I get up to the room is to put it in my dogi bag.
No-one sees me for the rest of the evening as I lay on the bed for just a few winks and wake up at 6:00 am the next morning wondering what happened. I was too tired to even get dinner.
Edited by gojuryu on 15-08-2006 21:17 |
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| gojuryu |
Posted on 22-07-2006 07:49
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Site Administrator
Posts: 885
Joined: 02.04.05
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Friday - Knee brace in bag - check. My Dogi is still soaking wet with sweat from yesterdays training. The new NW2 from Shureido isn't living up [don't get me wrong, it is a wonderful uniform, it just doesn't wick off the sweat like the the Tokon Olympic competition or the Adidas Kumite Dogi]. Looks good and probably perfect for the weather of San Francisco however a 7 hour training day in the humid Northern Japan is a different story. Note to self, order the NW1 or the NW3 when I get back to Tokyo at the Shureido Nakano office. We start off training just as we did yesterday - with Kihon and Kihon ido, then on to Gekisai ichi, Gekisai Ni, Sanchin, Tensho, Saifa and Seiunchin. Off to lunch and I have about Y150 yen in my pocket. Suzuki San directs me to the bank of Omagari on the other side of the highschool - upon arrival one of the employees approaches me and says "no gaijin" while crossing his arms and makes the shew shew phrase while waving me away. I completely forgot that discrimination is 100% legal in Japan and besides that, there are no cash machines here with English writing anyway. I walk the kilometer or so to the post office [all post offices in Japan have a cash machine with an english button] and make my withdrawal. Jump back into a cab and return to the vicinity of the Budokan but first off to the supermarket for bento box.
Our return is promply started with Sanchin and Tensho again followed by an agonizing back to back of Saifa and Seiunchin. You can never have to much basics.
Next up is Kumite and it goes for about an hour and a half. I lost half of my right hand thumbnail during the brawling and my knee is still killing me. Damatte Keiko is my catch phrase to keep going till 5:00 pm.
It's strange how some time doing Kumite lets you know the character of the person you are working with. I was training with Fraser Long from the UK. He is here for his JKF Gojukai Nidan Shinsa. I like him as he isn't one of those that goes straight to punch me in the face in an attempt to prove himself against my size. He is actually here to work out and train, to absorbe as much of Japan as possible, to seize the moment and take advantage of the opportunity. Later we get to know eachother on the treks back and from from the hotel to the budokan and elsewhere. I learned alot from him not to mention he got my laptop to perform alot faster.
We get a break after Kumite for about 45 minutes while Fujiwara Sensei continues correcting other peoples Seiunchin as he gives me another assignment, I had the pleasure of teaching Fujiwara Sensei high school class at the Budokan. I wonder to myself if that is part of my Yondan Shinsa as he is watching the drills I'm giving out. Tasaki Sensei arrives tonight at 8:20 pm however there is a suicide on the railway and he gets into town at 9:27 pm. I and 20 or so other Seiwakai members are waiting for the young man to exit the train. A suprise and smile that will only last till morning when he drills us old school style and rips our Kata apart. I love it.
My knees are absolutely killing me. I'm not having sore muscle problems in my legs as others are but I think it is because the knee pain on the right is sharp and continious and the knee pain in the left is mild but pulsating. I'm glad to have brought a knee brace.
Edited by gojuryu on 16-08-2006 14:05 |
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| gojuryu |
Posted on 22-07-2006 08:00
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Site Administrator
Posts: 885
Joined: 02.04.05
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Saturday - Tasaki Sensei himself leads training today, big training at the Budokan here in Omagari. In session was also the student of Fujiewara who is number two in Kata in the JKF. Leo Lipinski Sensei says he is tired however looks great and his posture and technique is a pleasure to watch. He and Tasaki Sensei demonstrate waza together to the attendees and both still move as if in their 30's. Kinda a proud moment to still have them around. The bonding of the international members whom have never met is growing. Communication and talks abound. Many wonder what is happening back in their home towns and countries. Todays training seems lighter but it is only because we are a bit loosened up from the previous two days training. Sanchin and Tensho again go through extreme correction and modifications. After the lunch break we are seperated into groups according to what our next test is and for those who are not testing go into the group that specializes in the Kata they are using for competition or simply for show. Of course many go into Kururunfa. I and Tim Panasse are the only two to use Shisochin for our Yondan Shinsa however it is the smallest group and we are overlooked for the larger. Tim joins the larger groups and I push into my required Kata [Shishochin, Sanshin and Tensho are my three but I've been getting extensive assistance with Sanchin and Tensho already]. I get help where I can and reinvent myself there on the budokan floor. Vassie Naidoo Sensei [as always] is watchful over me to make sure I make the corrections needed. Monday after the lunch break is my Shinsa and I can use all the help I can get. So many others are working in the open Kata group with the number two Kata player in all of Japan. I am moving back and forth across the Budokan with Nukite, then back with Kake and again back and forth with the closing turn. An hour and a half feels like an entire day. Tasaki Sensei simply nods and give a smirk of a smile [and that's a good thing with on the wood floor]. Class closes and the pecking order seems to have been established. I remember again to line up behind Steve Duffey from the UK whenever possible as I admire his performance and technique. Tomorrow is the last day before Shinsa and I had better have my act together.
Edited by gojuryu on 15-08-2006 20:54 |
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| mastachin1 |
Posted on 27-07-2006 19:41
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Ikkyu
Posts: 114
Joined: 11.12.05
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Looking foward to your wrap up. You did a nice job telling us about your week! Made me want to be there training too! I hope shinsa went ok. |
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| migonz |
Posted on 28-07-2006 09:57
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Kyu Holder
Posts: 64
Joined: 24.05.05
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JP,
You mentioned pictures , in your Monday 17th note, where can I view tem? Would love to see them..."So a full sized [see pictures] room with table for 6 and enough space in the sleeping area for 6"
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| gojuryu |
Posted on 31-07-2006 02:10
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Site Administrator
Posts: 885
Joined: 02.04.05
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there are alot of pictures to come however have to really sort through what is what is then shrink a good number of them on down to accept into the forum. i'll have to finish up the rest of this when I get back to the states tomorrow. The rest of the evening is about full right now and I'm in another internet cafe.
Edited by gojuryu on 16-08-2006 09:58 |
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| PictonMA |
Posted on 15-08-2006 11:28
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Administrator
Posts: 255
Joined: 09.07.05
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JP,
Did you continue with your day by day journal while you were in Japan? How did Shinsa go? Any photo's to post? Inquiring minds want to know. |
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| gojuryu |
Posted on 15-08-2006 12:35
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Site Administrator
Posts: 885
Joined: 02.04.05
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Sunday - Tasaki Sensei loves you if he yells at you. And we got the tail end of the shout. It doesn't happen often but it is the hint. [note to self, tell students that if they come to Japan to train, TRAIN]. It's wonderful to know he can still kick you in the gut and has a great Haito. During practice today he made that classic growl like noise I make. I just happen to have picked it up as habit from Cornell Watson Sensei and now I'm sure he must have picked it up from Yamaguchi Sensei or Yamamoto Sensei. They were all the same school and the sound made me feel just that bit more comfortable.
At around 11:00 we are broken up into groups. All except me - I've just been informed I'm the only person looking to Yondan grading. Wonderful, just wonderful.
Oh great - my wonderful knee brace has cut into my leg with the metal inserts and now bleeding on the inside below the knee and the outside above the thigh. The rubberized styrofoam is acting as a bandage when I removed the strips and clearly the knee brace doesn't have the same support. I wouldn't have even needed it if I used it on day one and didn't try to act like I was superman.
After the lunch break we are all seperated into groups of those testing for higher grades. All except I as I have Shisochin for Yondan however I and Paul Penasse are the only two. Paul is not going to audition because he is just recovering [very well I might ad] from a major sickness last year. I'm on my own because I still have tomorrow - I think. A large group is working on Seiunchin, another large group working Sanseiryu, the other groups are working on other required Kata for their gradings however I am alone. No problem as I've been in this position most of my life as the "Token" guy in every crowd of every race, culture, situation or classification.
Laundry of Sweat. That means a 11lb [about 5 kilo] Dogi that is almost 100% sweat. Not to mention when I folded my belt it did more than just drip sweat. Kinda kewl and totally discusting at the same time. I didn't wash my belt, just hung it. I'll hit it with the waterhose when back home in the states and let it hang dry. As for the Dogi - my washing machine experience was much better than two days ago. I washed my dogi myself and this time stayed at the laundromat babysitting a brew. I recalled a story from long ago when I was told to be prepared when I appear to have nothing to do or no-where to go because someone will try to strike up a conversation in order to practice their English and WOW did it happen. It's humorous, appreciated and flattering all at the same time. The ladies at the laundromat enjoyed talking to California guy but what is this "Do you know many movie start" question I keep getting? A few years back here in the same city someone asked me if I know Eddie Murphy.....
Edited by gojuryu on 16-08-2006 09:59 |
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| gojuryu |
Posted on 15-08-2006 12:35
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Site Administrator
Posts: 885
Joined: 02.04.05
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Monday - Back to training just like every other day this week. I found a scale at the hotel this morning. I think it was off but it said I've lost approximately 5 Kilo. I would say a great diet if I was in need of one but I'm not. My knees have been killing me since day one of training and a sharp pain in particular since Friday night after training. I actually have doubts about myself today but a stubborn mind tells me to refuse giving in to the pains of age and hungers. This is the last day, old memories kick in and I'm finally settled in to the routine. Six hours of training per day and this is day five. Sanchin, Tensho, Shisochin and more are looking and feeling natural. It's obvious our early quitting time for the test isn't going to happen.
Lunch break and I return to the grocery store around the corner in completely induldge :-) Pocari Sweat, Milk tea, Sashimi, Riceball, Yakitori, giant peach and a snickers 
Back to the workout. A big change up with "Old School" training. Power kneck exercises [I would later find I strained both sides of my upper back], eye muscle training, a very interesting step squat [my legs have the power but my knees are saying STOP] and a few other choice exercises all of course followed by more Kata training. Again I'm alone as the only person for the past two days however it doesn't matter any longer as we are not having the shinsa.
During a short break we are told that we are to attend a Sayonara party at 6:00 pm so head straight to the hotel to change and get cleaned up. :-D heheheheheeee. Can you say BEEERRRRR. Now I'm full of energy again. Training continues and I burn as much energy as I can as I will finally be done and not competing this year.
Shinsa, who said anything about shinsa? It's about 7 minutes before 5:00 pm and Fujiwara Sensei just walked up to me and said "Johnpaul, you stay after traning for Shinsa". What? My mind does a double take to the clock. I know it's not exactly long or hard but ....... huh? No time to think just feel - hahahahaaa.
My grading went horrible. After getting Sanchin, Shisochin and Tensho down nice and clean again it completely fell apart when in front of a four man panel. Pure rythm and it really was rythm. I had everyone of these down to a science just 30 minutes ago and now I'm stiff silly putty. Then comes Kumite. That box of cigarettes - no, this is just stress. Tim Panasse is my Kumite partner and I've made all the regular requirements [a clean haito, take down {x2}, groin shot {x2}, etc] but I have also made a fatal mistake. I've caught a mawashi geri and just held it there - just held it there. I'm always hurting people and now I'm the nice guy? Tasaki Sensei yells in disgust. All I can think of is "ooops", then again there is always next time. Going back to the hotel to prepare for the party it takes me a moment to ask myself "me, who was that person in my body in there and what was he doing?"
Sayonara party: Well I arrive later that everyone else, for one in disgust with my performance and for two because Tim and I were the last to get to the hotel and I'm well know for being a clean freak. I'm happy to get to the party because I've been carrying around this huge bottle of Crown Royal for Tasaki Sensei and a wonderful bottle of Shiraze for Fujiwara Sensei. They lighten my sack and now down for some serious drinking and body contamination. Strange how a big bunch of people so into working out, training our minds and bodies as one, yadda yadda yadda, can put a keg to shame if given the opportunity. We eat and drink just to the point of not looking to bad to the restaurant owners [they've seen this group every year]. We'll save acting like idiots for later.
Karaoke - it's almost tradition that Suzuki san or someone from Omagari takes us all out to Karaoke. [note to all, have a favorite song picked out and practiced - it is impolite not to sing]. karaoke is a sign of character and helps your comrads feel comfortable that they know the real you. I've just shown everyone that something is seriousely wrong as my voice is crackling and I've forgotten the words to "Hotel California". I step outside for air and somehow wander into the bar next door called "Dolphin". It's a hostess bar but I am only there for more beer. For the next hour or so I somehow bounce back between the two getting a beer in each - I think on each visit. I remember two things from that point on, One getting into a cab and two puking in my hotel room toilet. I received a wonderful face wash from the washer in the automatice seat of which prompted me into the shower thereby explaining my soaking wet clothes the next morning.
Edited by gojuryu on 15-08-2006 22:25 |
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| gojuryu |
Posted on 15-08-2006 12:36
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Site Administrator
Posts: 885
Joined: 02.04.05
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Tuesday - Finally a day off, my head is killing me. I wake well after 10:00 am and breakfast is no long being served. I need to do laundry, begin packing and puke again. I hunt down some of the other Seiwakai members staying at the hotel and only a few are in the conditionI am in.
My Skype on the computer and my mobile phone are both working however I head is spinning so hard it is hard to really focus on the calls. I have a few peoples name cards from the night before and I'm not sure how we are aquainted. I'll send them a short email to them docomo address to try and sort things out then off to sort out my day.
Edited by gojuryu on 16-08-2006 10:00 |
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| gojuryu |
Posted on 15-08-2006 12:37
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Site Administrator
Posts: 885
Joined: 02.04.05
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Wednesday - traveling to Akita
TBC
Edited by gojuryu on 16-08-2006 10:05 |
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| gojuryu |
Posted on 15-08-2006 12:37
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Site Administrator
Posts: 885
Joined: 02.04.05
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It's a very easy day of training for the rest of the JKF Gojukai considering what the member of Seiwakai have just been through.
The opening day [Thursday July 27th] starting at 9:30 am for individual warm ups and checking for an on time 10:00 am training. The seminar [gasshuku], as with every year, is a superb moment to train and polish your kata and skills with some of the outstanding Sensei of the JKF Gojukai. It is also the best preperation for grading audition [shinsa] and for upper grades a requirement. The seminar is not only a training program but also part of the grading as the senior instructors and grading panelists are [in most cases] the same people. After basic training [which included Sanchin, Gekisai Ichi, Gekisai Ni and Tensho] groups were split up by grades combining Shodan and Nidan [ Saifa and Seiunchin], Sandan and Yondan [Sanseiru and Shisochin], Godan [Seipai], Rokudan [Seisan], Nanadan [Kururunfa] and Hachidan [Superinpei] and higher.
After Thursday training most participants retire back to the hotel for a shower and dinner or sightseeing. Others must attend mandatory meetings for JKF Gojukai overseas committee, competition and other projects.
Edited by gojuryu on 15-08-2006 22:43 |
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| gojuryu |
Posted on 15-08-2006 12:38
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Site Administrator
Posts: 885
Joined: 02.04.05
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Friday - Friday July 28th, we continue with training in groups at 10:00 am and end training at 13:30 pm for photographs and immediately following those participating in the grading audition will have their opportunity behind closed doors. There are no spectators or photographs permitted during the JKF Gojukai gasshuku or shinsa. The total event seems simple and uplifting for those who are participating in only the gasshuku however for those also participating in the grade examination, you can feel glaring eyes upon you every moment and it is a test not only of your performance and strength but also of your persona. We would like to thank the instructors of the gasshuku. The list [in no particular order] includes:
# Wada Sensei,
# Yutaka Ishikawa Sensei
# Yoshihiro Hisanaga Sensei - Eibukan, Kagoshima Kai, Kyushu Region
# Shuji Tasaki Sensei - Seiwakai, Kanto Region
# Seiichi Fujiwara Sensei - Seiwakai, Akita Region
# Koei Teruya Sensei - Okinawa Gojuryu Kyokai
# Masataka Muramatsu Sensei - Okinawa Gojuryu Kyokai, Eidokan, Chubu
# Kiyohara Sensei
# Hiragaki Sensei - Seishikan
# Hidehiro Maekawa Sensei
# Motomasa Mayama Sensei
# Minoru Tanaka Sensei - Jitsueikai
Edited by gojuryu on 15-08-2006 22:42 |
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