Just before and after the training on last Friday, Kuroda-san taught me many fundamentals of different techniques. I memorised the theory in my mind, but it will take a much longer time to be able to do them and refine them. Right now I would be very happy if I can strike a perfect men-cut with a good fumigomi-ashi.
On Saturday we went to the 55th All Japan Kendo Championship (with Kuroda and Leena). I was very excited to be in the Nippon Budokan, because watching the past championships on videos made it a very special place. I felt like a pilgrim finally reaching my final destination.
I found it a pity that the last year's winner Nichimura lost in the quarter final. His opponent struck a men-cut in the first 10 second or so and made a point, after which he was just defending and even got a hanzoku for wasting time. Nichimura lost with 1-0.
Another interesting event was the appearance of a Nitto kendoka Yamame(?). It's perhaps the frist time ever that Nitto has appeared in the AJKC. He went to the second round, but lost there.
Over the weekend I was in Nikko with my family, enjoying the rare occasion of our family reunion in a place with beautiful scenery, good food, and hot spring bath.
On Monday I managed to arrive in the dojo early enough for the training. I remembered a sensei told me last week to execute the men-cut in kirikaeshi with more kisei and bigger swing, so this time I did it better. My do-kirikaeshi has become more fluent.
In jigeiko I fought with Hayami, Nakajima, and Akida. Akida told me that I should move forwards more. It might be safe to step backwards to defend, he said, but one will never improve.
This morning I resumed cleaning the dojo floor and the 500 suburi after being away for a few days. I felt my legs are stronger and it's now much faster to clean the whole floor. Hope it'll be a good training tonight.
Some videos of musicians on the streets in Shinjuku:
3 comments:
Well.... all that kendo looks okey-dokey... BUT THE FOOD MAN!! THAT LOOKS AMAZING xD
Leon :)
It is so good to read your blog, and to read about your kendo experience in Japan.
Please pass on my regards to Ozawa Sensei and Hayami.
Keep updating the blog, and post more photos and videos.
Thank for the kind words, Leon and Vivian. There are actually so much to write if I were to write everything that goes on while I'm here. Unfortunately this is all what I have time for. Sorry!
I'll certainly pass your regards to sensei and Hayami. It's very funny how small the world is sometimes. For example, I met here a English gentlement who passed my Ikkyu grade just a couple of weeks ago!
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