Tuesday 29th January

Well up and it again to the dojo to train with Inada Sensei we started the class with gyakizuki for the count of 30 both sides and then maigeri to the count of 30 both legs. We moved on to work in pairs using the focus pads working on one minute drills as hard and as fast as possible for the following first we done any tzuki attack, next hooking punches, then uppercuts, next any enpi strike, then mawashegeri both legs. We finished the class with Okamoto Sensei teaching Meikyo Neidan to the count 5 times slow and one time full speed still to the count.

I had a few chores to do after training like washing, pay my last months rent and collect my JR rail Pass so I can have my wee holiday next week travelling to Osaka, Kyoto, Nikko, Hakone, Odabia, Kamakura etc.

I headed to Ueno to collect my railpass and grab a quick bite to eat before heading back to the dojo for the evening sessions.

The 6pm class taught by Inada Sensei started with running forward up the dojo and then runing backwards for 4 sets, next we did side stepping up the dojo and back for 4 sets and then skipping up and skipping backwards for 2 sets. Next was kizamizuki gyakizuki for the count of 30 each side followed by maigeri for the count of 30 each side. We moved up and down the dojo practicing basic khion techniques. Next we done Ju No Kata once to the count and once on our own and then Jion once to the count and once on our own full speed. Finishing the class with light Kumite.

The final session of the day and my 80th session of the trip was taught by Matsue Sensei we started the class with gyakizuki for the count of 40 each side and next maigeri for the count of 40 each side. Next we focused on maigeri rotate to the left side making oizuki to the count of two rotating round each time for the count of 20 and the one set of 10 one count maigeri gyakizuki we then done the same the other direction. This exercise was focusing on the rotation and hip snap. We finished the class working on Heian Godan to the count 3 times followed by one time full speed and then Unsu again we focused on this twice to the count and once half speed - a tricky kata so a lot of discussion throughout this part of the class and I have to say its a tough one for sure.