Kamakura / Yokohama Chinatown - Sunday 24th February

Well today I headed off for my last day trip and it was a beautiful sunny day. First I stopped off at Kita Kamakura Station so I could go to the Engaku-ji Temple as I wanted to visit the grave of Master Funakoshi Gichin.

Next I hopped back on the train to go to Kamakura where I had to get a local train (which was very old, sounded like it was going to fall apart and had a wooden floor. I felt like I was in an old movie) to go to Hase Station as I wanted to visit Daibutsu (The Great Budda). It was unbelieveable to see and breathtaking to be honest. I was rather excited seeing this 44ft tall Buddha which was beautiful to view and everyone around me was a gobsmacked as I was.
 





As it was a nice day I decided to head down to Yuighama Beach for a wander along the waterfront. It was really nice to see a beach in Japan as not something I had ever related to Japan in the past. This would be a very busy but beautiful place to visit in the summer months. It was a bit chilly today for a swim although there were many body surfers on the beach.

 

 

On the way back I stopped off at Yokohama Chinatown and as it was early evening it was all in lights and was amazing to see. I decided to have dinner here and had a delicious chinese meal of fried noodles with pork and vegetables with spring rolls all washed down with a cold beer before catching the train back to Nippori.

 

I had a hot bath and watched the Celtic v Dundee game live on the internet in my PJ's with a cold beer to finish off my last weekend in Tokyo - well until July anyway!!!.

Saturday 23rd February

I had a long lye in bed today as I was really tired so needed to relax a little. I spent the morning in the apartment just getting some washing done and starting some packing for my return to Scotland next week.
Late afternoon I headed out to Ikebukuro and went to the Sunshine Cinema to see the new Die Hard Movie afterwards I headed to Nabezo for Shabu Shabu for dinner and then headed to the Hub to watch the Japan v Australia Baseball match and have a few vodkas before heading home to relax in the aprartment and have an early night.

Friday 22nd February

Woke up exhausted today but I was not going to give in as it was the final days training for the week and I then had the weekend off to relax.

Kanayama Sensei taught the early session and we done a tube training session. First with the tube attached at the centre point we held the tube in both hands we practiced punching on the spot for the count of 30, next we did kizamizuki gyakizuki for the count of 30 on both the left and right side then turning to face the other direction so the tube is pulling in the opposite direction we practiced the same exercise again. Next with the tube attached to both ankles we did 30 maigeris then 30 kizamimaigeri maigeris on each sided again turning to face the opposite direction and repeat these exercises. Next with the tube round the centre of our body we practiced the following techniques forwards and then turning round and coming back to the count of 7 each way - oizuki, sanbonzuki, maigeri and maigeri oizuki. Next moving forwards and then backwards to the count of 7 each way we did age uki gyakizuki, soto uke gyakiuki, uchi uke gyakizuki, and shuto uke then the final set we done forwards and turning round to come back for mawashegeri, mawashegeri gyakizuki and then finally kekomigeri. Hideyoshi Kagawa Sensei finished the session off teaching Joko 1sei and Joko 3sei each to the count three times.

I headed to the office as they had asked me to help with a few things and then at 1pm I managed to head for some lunch. I decided to go for a massage today as the last few nights I havent slept so well with the aching in my muscles The massage was painful but great at the same time.

The last two session of the week were both taught by Kanayama Sensei.

The first session was all about Squats!!!! We started moving forward into a squat position then driving forward into front stance forward and backwards 7 times each way 2 counts each stance and many times holding the squat position for what seemed like minutes - we done this for 5 sets, next same adding oizuki for 4 sets and then same for maigeri again for 4 sets. Next we done khion up and down the dojo age uke gyakizuki, soto uke gyakizuki, uchi uke gyakizuki and gedanbari gyakizuki - but each one we done two sets forwards and backwards squatting in the middle position every time. We moved on to practice gohon kumite jodan zuki, chudan zuki and maigeri with the attacker and defender both squatting in the middle position each time. we done 2 sets of 6 for each technique and finally the full three sets full speed to finish. We practiced Ju No Kata 2 times to the count and one time full speed on our own followed by kata of our own choice. (Joko 1sei)

The final session of today and the week we started with our knee against the wall practicing hip rotation for the count of 60 each side. Then we moved back into the dojo to practice kizamizuki gyakizuki to the count of 30 each side. Next against the wall we practised maigeri to 4 counts for 10 sets on both the left and right side before moving back into the dojo and doing 30 maigeris each on the left and right side. We then moved up and down the dojo practicing oizuki, age uki gyakizuki, soto uke gyakizuki, uchi uke gyakizuki, maigeri, maigeri oizuki, shuto uke, spinning uraken gyakizuki, gedanbari back into cat stance uchi uke then gyakziuki, mawashegeri, mawashegeri gyakizuki, side snap and side thrust kick. We finished the class off practicing Heian Yondan and Junro Shodan each kata 3 times to the count.

Its the Weekend !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And my final weekend before I head home!!!!!

Thursday 21st February

Well legs are a little sore after the class yesterday with Kanayama Sensei but it was that time again to head to the dojo for the early session with Nagaki Sensei. We started off with kizamizuki gyakizuki slow for 5 times and then 30 full speed to the count on both sides, next kizamimaigeri maigeri 5 slow to the count and then 30 full speed to the count again on both sides. Next moving up and down the dojo we practiced khion doing three sets at a time with no rest break so first we did oiziuki to the count of 8 forward and back, then oizuki gyakizuki and finally sanbonzuki. Next set was maigeri, then kizamimaigeri maigeri and the final one kizamimaigeri maigeri ushiromawashegeri. Next set was age uke gyakizuki forward and then back age uke maigeri gyakizuki, soto uke gyakizuki forward then back soto uke maigeri gyakizuki and uchi uke gyakizuki forward and uchi uke maigeri gyakizuki backwards. We moved onto partner work practicing oizuki jodan, oizuki chudan, maigeri and mawashegeri for 5 counts each direction before finshing the kumite section practicing tobi kondi oizuki jodan, oizuki chudan and then any kick attack - the first set of each the opponent only sliding back and the next set the opponent blocking and countering each technique. My partner was Hideyoshi Kagawa Sensei so I was challanged and had real fun doing this with him too. I then done free stykle kumite with Okamoto Sensei for several minutes. The class finished with Joko 1sei to the count 3 times.

Another rest day as the training is really draining me this week so again it was lunch and relaxing again today.

The first evening session was taught by Yamaguchi Sensei and we spent the first section of the class working on front stance, back stance and kibidach stance first working forwards and backwards to the count of 2 each stance and then moving on to do each stance to one count. We moved onto practice Heian Shodan and Heian Godan to the count doing each kata three times each. Kanayama Sensei finished the class off with Jion to the count 3 times.

The final session of the day was taught by Kanayama Sensei we practiced khion up and down the dojo. Next we practiced maigeri to 4 counts for 10 sets, next the same for kekomigeri and finally mawashegeri. Next we did maigeri, kekomigeri and mawashegeri on one leg without placing foot down inbetween each kick for 10 sets to the count one count each kick followed by 5 sets full speed one count each set and then we repeated this on the other side. We finished this session off working in two groups practicing jodan zuki, chdan zuki, maigeri and mawashegeri and the person at the front blocking and countering for two sets before switching to the next person in the group till everyone had completed two sets of blocks and counters for each attack.

Wednesday 20th February

This mornings session started off being taught by Inada Sensei we done gyakiazuki to the count of 30 followed by kizamizuki gyakiazuki to the count of 30 and maigeri to the count of 30 each side. We moved onto practice some kumite drills where Kai Sensei was to attack me at all times and I was to practice various blocks, grabs, throws and counters. First Kai Sensei attacked chudan zuki and I was to avoid the technique and grab him by the thorat from behind and take him down, next again attacking chudan zuki I was to grab him by the throat from the front and sweep him to the floor, he attacked maigeri next I was to avoid the kick and counter attack with uraken both to the left and right side, next blocking maigeri with the instep of my foot and using same leg to attack mawashegeri and then again block with instep of foot and attack kekomigeri finishing with me using both hands and shoulder extension to attack to the ears with a slapping motion to hurt the ear drums. Kai Sensi taught the next part of the class where we worked using the focus pads attacking kizamizuki gyakizuki, gyakizuki for four attacks, ushiro mawashegeri two times one left then one right, mawashegeri again one left them one right - each drill we practiced 5 or 6 times. We finished the class off practicing Joko 1sei 4 times to the count and Joko 2sei only one time to the count.

Today was all about eating lunch and relaxing during the day!

The second session of the day was taught by Kanayama Sensei and it was a belter of a class. We started the class with many squats and lunges as follows: 50 jump forward squat then jump back, next 50 jump back squat and then jump forward, 50 lunges forward, 10 lunges forward making gyakizuki, 10 maigeri then into forward lunge, 10 maigeri into forward lunge gyakizuki, next side stepping left and right squatting down into a lunge position to touch the floor for the count of 30, next kekomigeri then side lunge for the count of 30. Moving onto pushup next - 30 push ups, then 30 gyakizukis right side, 30 push ups, then 30 gyakizukis left side, 30 push ups, 30 kizamizuki gyakizukis on the right side, 30 push ups, 30 kizamizuki gyakizukis on the left side, 30 push ups, 30 maigeris on the right side and finally 30 push ups followed by 30 maigeris on the left side. WARM UP COMPLETE! Next moving up and down the dojo to the count of 6 each way we done oizuki, sanbonzuki, maigeri and maigeri oizuki. Next practixing tobi kondi up and down the dojo 6 times each way for 3 sets followed by three sets of oizuki using tobi kondi. We finished the class off with partner work practicing jodan oizuki, chudan oizuki and maigeri using tobi kondi with partner creating distance for us to reach correct target. We done each exercise up and down the dojo  6 times each way for two sets.

The final session of the day was taught by Okamoto Sensei and we started with kizamizuki gyakizuki one count one punch for the count of 20 followed by one count two punches for the count of 20 - we practiced this exercise on both the left and right side. Next kizamimaigeri maigeri one count per kick for the count of 20 followed by two kicks one count for the count of 20 again on both the left and right side. We moved on to work on front stance up and down the dojo for the count of 16 each way as each stance was broken into two counts we done this for two sets and then one count one stance to the count of 8 each way for two sets and then practiced the stance up and back to the count of 8 for two sets adding in oizuki. We done the same exercise for back stance adding on shuto uke at the end and kibi dach stance adding on gedanbari at the end. We finished the class off with kata practicing
Ju No Kata, Heian Godan and Enpi - each kata twice with the count.

Tuesday 19th February

The first sesssion today started off with Inada Sensei giving us three sets of 50 push ups with our partner holding our legs at waist height (my favourite). Afterwards Kai Sensei took over the class as Inada Sensei and Watanabe Sensei moved to the side to practice kumite together. Kai Sensei taught Joko 1sei, Joko 2sei and Joki 3sei - we done each of the katas 5 or 6 times to the count - was a mentally challenging class today trying to remember these.

After training I headed off to Meguro with Mami Yoshikoshi to see the most beautiful building with old artwork and water fountains etc before heading for some lunch in Meguro.

 

 

The first session of the evening started off being taught by Inada Sensei we practiced Gyakizuki and maigeri on the spot for the count of 30 each side for each technique before moving to the back of the dojo where we done khion up and down the dojo to the count of 6 each way. Matsue Sensei taught the second half of this session where we practiced Heian Shodan and Heian Yondan to the count twice and then one time on our own before finishing the class off with kata of our own choice one time slow and one time full speed. (Chinte was my choice today).

Matsue Sensei taught the final session of the day where we done all the Heian Katas one time slow to the count and one time full speed to the count. I need to work on the prepartaion of my Shuto Uke being more direct and faster and also focus more on the hip position in technique number 19 and 24 of Heian Godan. We finished the class off practicing Rantai 4 times slowly to the count and one time full speed to the count.

In the evening after training I practiced Joko 1sei many times and tomorrow I will move onto Joko 2sei so I can continue to remember these going forward.

Monday 18th February

Well a fantastic training session to start the week off with Kai Sensei we started in kibidach stance doing 80 squats followed by oizuki in natural stance for the count of 30. Next we done another 80 squats from natural stance position followed by gyakizuki to the count of 30 both left and right side. We done 40 maigeris on the spot before moving onto 30 on the left and 30 on the right side followed by kekomigeri to 4 counts each kick for 10 sets followed by 10 side snap kicks and 10 side thrust kicks again we done this both left and right side. Next we practiced khion up and down the dojo for the count of 6 each exercise forwards and backwards - oizuki, sanbonzuki, age uki gyakizuki, soto uke gyakizuki, uchi uke gyakizuki, shuto uke, shuto uke nukite, maigeri, maigeri oizuki, mawashegeri, mawashegeri gyakizuki - finishing with 4 side snap kick forwards and back and then 4 side thrust kicks forwards and backwards. Next we done one attack sparring both left and right side, followed by one attack sparring each attack from side of our choice and finally free style attack from any side of your own choice. I partnered Watanabe Sensei, Okamoto Sensei and Kai Sensei for these exercises. We finished the class off with Kakyoku Shodan three times to the count and once full speed on our own then Kakyoku Neidan three times to the count.

 

 

I headed out to Hongo for a bite to eat and a latte in Starbucks before heading back to rest for the evenings session.

The first session of the evening was a busy one and taught by Kai Sensei we started off with gyakizuki to the count of 40 both left and right side moving onto maigeri for the count of 5 then double maigeri for the count of 3 then the final two counts three kicks then switching to the other side. Next we practiced maigeri for the count of 10 kekomigeri to the side for the count of 10 followed by mawashegeri forward returning leg into back position for the count of 10 then we done five sets of the three kicks switching to other side and repeating. All the time Kai Sensei focusing on the preperation of each technique. Next we practiced one attack sparring both left and right side with three different partners before moving on to Jion, Bassidai and Enpi - doing each kata three times to the count.

The final session of the evening was taught by Watanabe Sensei we started off the class working on kizamzuki gyakizuki to the count of 30 each side focusing on the knee position of the front leg and hip rotation. Next in front stance with our knee against the wall we worked on the hip rotation so we could focus on the knee remaining in the same position for the count of 20 each side. Next with our back foot pressed against the wall we practiced maigeri and the purpose of the exercise was to make sure we returned the foot to the correct position not shortening our stance  we then moved back into the dojo and done maigeri to the count of 40 each side. Next we done many footwork exercises up and down the dojo - driving forward and backwards holding distance between our feet and the correct stance position, then we done two forward motion on one leg switching to the other again forwards and backwards and finally fast bouncing motion forward and backward on the balls of our feet holding stance position and moving forward and backwards quickly (it was pretty tough). The final part of the class we moved onto partner work using the focus pads practicing half step up and front leg mawashegrei, mawashegeri from back leg driving forward, ushiro mawashegeri from back leg again driving forwards.

Three fantastic session to kick the week off and many more to come !