I pass all the day of May the 6th waiting of for the evening keiko.
We arrived at the Dojo about 45 minutes before the keiko begins. We changed and I was very excited for the training.
It is impressive the way Students take care of guests. We were a total of two Italians and 8 Russians. We had one student for two persons and before starting the practice they described us how the training was going to be. At first there are few minutes of warm up (see video below).
After the warm up we had suburi (20 repetitions)
The 50 repetions of men uchi without fumikomi
The 50 men uchi with fumikomi
Finally 30 choyaku-men
Then we did men tsuke and we started few rounds of kirikaeshi
After we had uchikomi where each of the two partners indicate the technique he want to practice.
Then we had a break which is not usual but it was due to the fact that the week after students had to participate to a competition thus they did some test shiai. I collected few of them both for the men and female and as you can see in the next video their speed is really impressive.
After we had about 40 minutes of gigeiko and the video below is centered on Honda sensei (7 Dan), the chief of the Kendo Club at Fukuoka University of Education and Sumi sensei (8 Dan, white bogou).
In my case I was very lucky to have the possibility to be motodachi for all 40 minutes that gave me the possiiblity to practice with a significant number of students.
It was wonderful and I was a bit disapointed that it finished so quickly.
But I was happy because in few hours there would be asageiko, but about it I will talk on the next post.
The period between 3rd of May and 5th of May is part of the Golden week, a spring holiday for Japanese people. For this reason some of the keiko were cancelled. However I spend Saturday and Sunday with one of my Japanese friend. I know her from about 30 years. When she arrived at Kyoikudae-mae I show her my room at Mokkeiso, which is the dormitory of the University students that are parts of the Kendo club at Fukuoka University of Education. After I show her the dojo.
The University
The Dojo
After we spent the subsequent day getting around Fukuoka to see the festival and we visited the Dazaifu temple.
On Sunday evening my friend took again the train to Osaka and went back home.
Monday was spend waiting for the arrival of my Sensei Walter Pomero and an other student of our Dojo. Both were at the Kyoto Kendo Taikai.
Here you can see the gigeiko of Sumi Sensei (8 Dan) kindly provided by my friend.
In the evening they arrived and we had a little party at the Mokkeiso because a group of Kendokas from Moskow came for a week of training in Fukuoka.
Honda Sensei during the party
Finally the time of keiko is getting near from Tuesday and Thursday we will have keiko from 17:30 to 19:30 and Wednesday and Friday asageiko from 6:30 to 7.30.
Yesterday I started this little adventure. I am going to spend few days in Fukuoka practicing Kendo at Fukuoka University of Education in the dojo directed by Honda sensei (7 Dan). The trip was quite long and I near to the end since I am waiting to catch the last flight to Fukuoka.
Torino Airport
Frankfurt Airport
Seoul Airport
This time I was quite lucky on the international flight since it was partially empty and I could move to one seat near the emergency exit. A lot of space for the feet!
It was a long time that I did not spend time talking with somebody on a flight. I had a nice time talking with a sailor man. He is young, 25 years old. He is from Montenegro and he works on oil tanks. I was very curious of his work and we talk a lot about it. It is a hard work, you are on the sea for 3 months and then you are back for other 3 months. However, the critical issue is that when you are back you have a lot of time but it is not the same for all the rest of the people you know. At the end you are very lonely. He told me that sailing is one of the few opportunities for young people in Montenegro and he said that for the moment is ok then he will decide.
I am now in Seoul Airport and my flight to Fukuoka is going to depart in few minutes.
My Italian sensei, Walter Pomero (7 Dan) is now at the Kyoto Taikai and we will meet in Fuluoka on next Monday. This week end I will visit Fukuoka with a Japanese friens that will arrive from Nara tomorrow morning.
More info on my time in Fukuoka on next post.
