Japanton – Chronicles of Anton in Japan!

As some of you know and the rest of you are about to find out, I am bringing my sister to Japan with me. She will only be staying 10 days so my training will suffer, but not so much that I will harbor resentment until my next trip.

That said I now have an excuse to travel in Japan a little bit. I will be getting a Shinkansen pass (Japan Rail Pass), the only question is with this unlimited JR travel ticket where will I visit. Kyoto would be nice because of the history and scenery but an 11hr train ride would get me to Sapporo where they make Beer. There are also Tanookis (Racoon Dogs) there I believe. Now I will see Tanookis when I visit the Zoo in Ueno Koen but still, seeing Raccoon Dogs in the wild an appealing thought.

When all is said and done I think it will be Kyoto which wins out. It’s about 2 hours away by train and there is plenty to do. That said I have not traveled with my sister for years so I don’t know what types of things she wants to see. The only goal that she has right now is a picture next to Hatsumi Sensei to add to her “Me beside famous people” photo album. Doug W, Rob R I am counting on you both.

Had a lot of fun at the seminar.  Working on getting DVDs for those who attended.  Finally a break from stress though.  Thank goodness, I can work on my own training and planning for Japan.  It will be a nice change of pace.  Also need to setup the upcoming Randy seminar series.

That’s right the Rob Renner seminar is this weekend. Hope everyone is ready. Or rather I hope that everyone shows up cause if you don’t, a world of hurt for everyone next class. I mean what other choice do I have?

Due to some complaints about download time, I have made all of my images a bit smaller in size.  Now anyone with a connection faster than dial-up can view them easily.

Are you happy now Kamal?

It seems like just yesterday, no screw that, it seems like ages ago that I arrived in the damp warm Japan air for the first time.  Three years later I am getting ready for my 5th trip.  My time off has been secured, tickets will be bought this week and I will be ready to go.  Except for the whole money thing, but I will worry about that when I am in Japan.

Before I get there I have the small task of writing 4 university finals and hosting a seminar.  No big deal really, I am the man who makes the impossible possible after all.

I am looking forward to seeing people from outside of Japan which I happen to meet (or have for the past 3 years) in Japan.  I have also been promised some training with Doug Wilson.  I am sure that will be alright.  I mean he only has been living in Japan since the mid 90’s.  Oh and he is only responsible for translating Hatsumi Sensei’s books, so no big deal.

I will keep you up on my progress and probably fix the image link today.

    You know, from time to time you think “hey I know this technique”. Don’t let this happen to you, because you will be wrong. Some jerk will come along and point out your mistakes (which is good) and show you a better way of doing it. This is all fine so far, the problem comes when you have to re-integrate the correct technique into your body and correct it in all your students.

Apparently to make the technique less painful on students who’s shoulders were not flexible, I raised my own shoulders so that I could demonstrate all the steps of the technique. This relies on strength, which despite what some people say I don’t have much to spare. Worse yet students picked this bad habit up. Ah well just have a lot of reps to do to correct the problem.

Thanks a lot Shidoshi O.

I managed to attend one day of the Doug Wilson seminar in Seattle. Flights back from Seattle arrive around midnight in Edmonton. This makes getting to work on time difficult. It was a fun seminar besides the constant jokes at my expense. If I had feelings they might have been hurt.

Material covered was, well pick a kata from Kukishinden Ryu and try to move more freely with it. It was of course emphasized that you can only do this with a firm understanding of the basics. Doug felt quite strongly about visiting Japan and moving away from the 80’s style budo. At what point should you try to adopt this free movement that Soke has been showing for the last 10 to 15 years? I don’t know and Doug would not tell me. I am sure if you visit his blog at http://henka.wordpress.com he might have it hidden in there like some type of insidious Budo Da Vinci Code.

Anyhow no pictures from the seminar, since it was done by a Ten Chi Jin dojo, they like to keep themselves low key. If you are showing up to class for training and want to see what I got from the seminar just ask and I will do my best to transmit the feeling that I received from Doug.

Yesterday I was landed on my head by Cliff. Today Noguchi Sensei hit me constantly in the back, on the side that was hurting, in the face on the point which I landed and in the neck which has been causing me nothing but grief since last night. Next time for my own safety I will leave you at home with your wife and share a room with a rabid animal.

A picture of me and Noguchi Sensei for those who are interested. Oh and Cliff, let me know when you get home safely.

First off, Cliff for landing me on my head.  He did a shoulder throw slowly so I landed with my right shoulder down, unfortunately he had my right hand and thus I landed on a combination of my right shoulder and face.  It made a devastating cracking sound in my neck and spine.

Next Leah, if something happens let me know, or at least Cliff.  I would rather know and worry than not.  I would help send him home in a heartbeat if something happens.  To both of us you are more important than a training trip in Japan.

When stuff like this happens I get quite “put out”.

I promised to have an adventure for Emanuel. So far I have done Kareoke in Japan and nearly got married to a Japanese Girl named Natsumi. I am supposed to meet her again on Saturday. I will keep everyone updated. Will definately post more pictures tomorrow.

Only a couple days left until Cliff returns to Ohio then it’s just me and Tracey-chan.