JAPAN TRAINING - JULY 17, 2013 - OMAGARI

I am in the little laundromat across the street from the Fujiwara ryokan, as washing after training is absolutely necessary because your karategi is trashed from all the sweat and a little blood here and there.  After a day of training, my gi weighs at least three or four pounds (yes, pounds) heavier from all the water weight.  You will drink fluids at every break and never need to pee.  No exaggeration.
This morning it was raining quite heavily but there was a slight break about the time to start for the dojo -- about a 25 minute walk -- so I chanced it and did just make it before the sky opened up and it poured until lunch break, which meant the humidity was sky high and within 10 minutes of starting training we were all drenched with sweat.  That's about the time you begin to question your motivation.

The training is always excellent with Fujiwara Shihan and this year is no different.  We began with many repitions of various moving basics then returned to Sanchin and Tensho.   Shihan always mixes in plenty of kumite based partner drills so your arms begin to acquire a plethora of beautiful purple bruises.  Fortunately I had a partner from Vancouver, BC who has good kime, so we are not too beat down.

In the afternoon session, we worked our way up through Sanseiru kata, always working numerous repetitions slowly, then moving on to normal speed.  Trying to do kensetsu geri (kicks to the knees) very slowly when your own knees are so tired they wobble is a special torture.  By the time five o'clock arrives you are more than ready to shed the wet karategi!  I always try to walk to and from the dojo just to keep my knees lubricated, even though the walk back seems to take twice as long.

The Fujiwara ryokan has a wonderful bath area with a very hot soaking tub.  After washing yourself, to immerse your tired body in the extremely hot water is a delicious treat.  The water is so hot that once immersed, you try not to move because it feels even hotter.  I like  to soak then shower again with cold water.  Then repeat three or four times and the aches are gone.

The ryokan is also very well known for its food. I can see why.  Every meal is scrumptious and presented in beautiful fashion, usually with a big mug of draft beer.  I think they know what we karateka need after a long day of training.

I made the mistake of laying down on my futon and the next thing I knew it was 4:30 a.m. and I was still in my yukata robe. Of course by 4 a.m. it is completely light here in the land of the rising sun.  Time to begin again!

That's it for now.