Training in Japan
August, 2005, Tokyo, Japan
I went back to Japan
this summer for three weeks to visit my family. Luckily, I had a
chance to train Kyokushin at a Japanese dojo. My family's
place was only 30 min away from Tokyo by train. So I decided to go to
the Josai Kokubunji dojo where Sakiko trained. Sakiko used to train with
us in Vancouver a year ago. After having obtained orange belt, her
visiting visa expired and had to go back to Japan. It is very good
to hear that she keeps training in Kyokushin at
this dojo.
The first class I trained at was conducted by Shihan Eguchi, the
Branch Chief of the Josai Kokubunchi area in Tokyo. Shihan Eguchi is
a well-known instructor for building up great fighters in this area.
The class lasted a hour long, and what they did was very similar to
what we do at our dojo in Vancouver. The contents of the class were
as follows;
Warm up and stretching
at the
beginning
Kihons (10 reps for each technique)
Lots of Idou-geiko with Kaitens. (They
practiced combinations that I
had
never
done before in Vancouver.)
Blocking practice with using two soft
flexible stick.. (one side attack by
the
sticks and other side blocks)
Uke-kaeshi (block and counter-attack,
one side attack and counter
with
some
combinations)
Sparring (about 10 rounds)
Conditioning at the end (push-ups,
sit-ups and squats)
<< with Sempai Troy in
the background of Tokyo's bright illuminations. After the class, we
went out for some drinks. It was a great experience.
When I went back to the dojo second time, I saw Sempai Troy conduct the class.
This time, the class duration was 1 hour and 30min. Sempai Troy is
originally from New Zealand and
now trains at the Kokubunji dojo as an uchideshi (in-house student). He fought
in the prestigious 8th world
tournament in 2003 representing his country. The way he ran the
class was very similar
to Sempai Joel's class at the Richmond East dojo. I enjoyed the training
very much, and was fortunate to spar with many local brown belt
fighters. Their techniques were very sophisticated because some of
them had placed in local tournaments in Tokyo, the most competitive
region in Japan.
Since I started my journey in the Kyokushin world at VKK, this was my first time training
in Japan. I found through this trip that regardless of which country
you train in, the same Kyokushin spirit runs through students'
hearts, and I can keep training no matter where I go. I think this is one of
the greatest things about kyokushin Karate.
I would like to thank Shihan Eguchi for giving me a chance to train
at his dojo.
And I also would like to thank Sempai Troy and all other dojo
members.
Finally, I really thank Sensei Tats, Sempai Alex, Haoyin, Johnny, Seiji-san, Sasaki-san, Sempai Joel and Sarah. I could not
have visited my
mom without their big support. Thank you. Osu!
Michi Nagase
Vancouver Kyokushin Karate
