JAPAN TRAINING - July 25 & 26, 2013 - WAKAYAMA

I haven't been able to post anything the past couple of days as it is almost impossible to find any wifi connectivity, which is surprising in such a technologically advanced country.  My observation of Wakayama is that it's a little bit backwater, here in the shadow of Osaka...mostly working class and not too tecnically educated a city.  In most of Japan you can find people who can communicate the basics in English, but very few here.  Of course, we could learn Japanese if we really want to communicate, but then that would require effort.

Our hotel, the City View Wakayama, is nothing out of the ordinary,  It's older and could be considered a typical 'salaryman' business hoteru.  There is, however, a pretty awesome bathing area in the basement with hot and cold baths, and the hotel offers and a free breakfast.  To get even weak wifi, I've had to climb out my window onto a service balcony with air conditioners and plumbing pipes just to send an email.  And, it has to be between 5:30 and 6:30 a.m. before the weak network becomes overwhelmed.  The temperature and humidity combination here is nothing short of unbearable.   I am constantly wet any time I go out.  It is so bad I have pretty much decided to head north again on Sunday just to escape the oppressive climate.

Our JKF seminar was all day yesterday and the senior senseis tried their best to run us into the ground physically for a while,  but Mr. Fujiwara had us prepared well.  Shiomi Shihan, the coach of several world champions and himself an amazing physical speciman for his age, was talking about the importance of core strength and off-handedly told us to do five minutes of plank pose on our elbows and toes.  I really don't think he thought any gaijin could do it.  Six did, and five were Seiwakai.  Go team!  Try it. I did just over two and a half minutes. 

                                      The JKF Gojukai International Seminar group shot

We worked kata in the afternoon, then broke into groups by rank to again work our prescribed grading katas.  We rokudan were lucky to be assigned Mr. Muramatsu, head of the technical committee and an outstanding teacher.  In front of an entire group he comes on like a lion, but with our small group of 6th dans, he was more like a friendly coach and imparted much insight and detail. 

We finished the day by again performing the entire Goju Ryu kata syllabus, from Sanchin to Suparempai.  My legs felt good and later I thanked Fujiwara Shihan for preparing us so well and he just smiled. You can see how soaked my dogi is in the photo of he and I below.  It was a really good day. I went to dinner with my Aussie family and was asleep by 10:30 pm.

             Fujiwara Shihan, Head Instructor of Seiwakai, and I.  Check out the sweat on me.

Today, July 26, was grading day.  I was in unfamiliar territory with the 6th, 7th, and 8th dan group.  We were grading with the Japanese, so were amongst the highest echelon.   We bowed in as a group and I calculated maybe eight for Hachidan, twenty-two for Nanadan, and there were eighteen of us for Rokudan.  Rokudan candidates were first and our group was split, ten in the first group and eight in the second.  Glenn Stephenson Shihan (Australia) and I were in group two, so we tried to stay loose in a warm-up training room upstairs for an hour and a half while the first group graded.  Then we were called down. 

Glenn was #1 and I was #8, so we gaijin had first and last positions, with six Japanese instructors between.  We start with Sanchin kata, gi tops off, and run two at a time.  It is amazing, when you are well-trained, how you just go into yourself when it's showtime and remember almost everything you were ever taught -- similar to high-level competition.  The most senior seven Gojukai Shihans are on our grading panel and they are totally unreadable. I felt pretty good in my Sanchin.  Then it was gi tops back on and on to Tensho in pairs. Good again.  Lastly was Seisan individually.  I had to really snap my kensetsu geris (knee kicks) and, despite the hip probs I've been experiencing this trip, I thought it was pretty good, but not great. 

 American/Australian Gothic: Glenn Stephenson Shihan and I after our grading. The brace is for resting my knee.  Observe the typically wet shirt from the heat and humidity.

        My grading buddy from Kyoto.  We ran Sanchin and Tensho together before the Board.

 Then the group is dismissed.  We will not be told immediately to save face if we did not pass.  Sometimes only 25% pass, so who knows.  Since none of my seniors are here to leak news, we don't know any results.

I am bushed and now officially a tourist.  After posting this, I am going to clean up and go find chow.  Had my first cheeseburger, french fries, and coke at Lotteria for lunch.  Oh my God it was awesome. 

 Outside the Big Whale Training Venue in Wakayama.  The sign announcing the 39th annual Gojukai  Competition.

  Other sport training simultaneously going on in the training hall.  No air conditioning in this big gym and had to be well over 100F within.  The fencers had on full gear.  Everywhere in Japan we saw young people training.  Impressive!

Peace.