Justin in Japan

I took Japanese lessons once a week during my stay in Japan. These were in Higashi Murayama at a class with volunteer teaching staff. We had one on one tutoring for two hours, with a 20 min break for tea, biscuits and sometimes Japanese cultural activities. All for 300 yen a month!!
The picture below is my last class, with Suzuki san (my teacher) to my left, and fellow Englanders Sonya (to my right), Jaynie (standing) and Will (at back).

Goodbye Justin

On my last Monday, I visited Itabashi Dojo and went for Dinner with Ed Yoshioka, Kasahara and Takako. Here are a few photos from the train ride back.

This is obviously a very common injury in Japan

Kasahara demonstrating just how dangerous train travel can be

A crowded Tokyo train home

Nice chocolate lollies

Soka bonen kai
On my last Sunday, I went to Soka Dojo (one of Masuda Senseis dojos) with Kobayashi Sensei for a seminar and Bonen kai (New year party). All the dojos like to hold a Bonen kai, with a seminar by Kobayashi Sensei, so they have to start early in December in order to fit them all in.
This was the first time I’d accompanied Kobayashi Sensei to a dojo by myself, with the full responsibilities of ‘bag carrier’. Normally Kasahara would accompany, and do the bulk of the work with me just assisting him as required, or there would be a multitude of bowed head University Students on hand, getting shouted at (educated?) endlessly while I just looked on. This time it was all on my shoulders…
The trip by train to Soka was fairly smooth, but once we reached the dojo I was rushing around like a blue arsed fly, trying to make sure that Kobayashi sensei had everything he needed; shoes bagged up, a towel for the restroom, his Gi, belt and hakama ready, folding his clothes away and taking his bag to the dojo, then realising that I wasn’t changed myself and trying to work out how to get changed in the next 5 seconds, and where I could otherwise have fitted in my change previously?! During the practice, there was nowhere obvious to rest Senseis towel, so I left it at the edge of the mat and would retrieve it between techniques just in case he needed it. Then at the end of class, the reverse procedure, accompanying Sensei to help him get changed, and once he was ready to leave and go to the restaurant, doing the fastest change I’ve ever done myself then dashing down the corridor to catch him up with his shoes.
It was quite good fun really, and I kept thinking of Kobayshi Sensei description of his own experiences as a junior Uchideshi for O’ Sensei. So many things to do and remember, and no way to do them all simultaneously!

Masuda Sensei on the receiving end of a surprise attack

Soka Dojo Members Bonen Kai

More Soka Dojo Members at Bonen Kai

Even More Soka Dojo Members at Bonen Kai

Soka Dojo Bonen Kai

Both the Kodaira and Tokorozawa Dojos are on streets largely free of trees apart from the ones outside the dojos. Sweeping up the leaves is a practically endless task on a windy autumn day. Jeff, this photo is a small reminder for the two of us…..

On my last Saturday, I went with Hafid and Takako to Shin Tokorozawa (15 mins walk) to do an Aikido demonstration for Hafids Japanese language class New Year Party. There were other people from the group doing demonstrations of Tai Chi, Iado, Kendo and Hawaiian dancing.

Justin and Hafid

Hafid and Takako

Tai Chi

Iado

Kendo

Aikido

Hawaiian Dancing…. Who’s that at the back?