English Dojo - Mie Prefecture Japan

[Princess_Inaka]

Hey,

I was wondering if anyone knew of any English speaking dojos in Central Mie prefecture in Japan. I live near Tsu and was hoping to track down on English speaking sensei. If anyone knows of one let me know. :)

Thanks

[xvikingx]

Try asking the webmaster at this kendo club's site: http://www.inoue-jp.com/
It is the only true international club I know of.

[Wark 1978]

princess inaka,

i think that you will find that at most dojos in japan there will be someone who can speak a little bit of english (even if it is just "good", "bad", "right", "wrong", "fast" or "slow"). i go to three dojos and at each of them there is at least one person who can speak some english.

my japanese ability is very low so during keiko i always try to practice with the senseis that i know can speak a little bit of english. but i also always practice with senseis who i know cannot speak english. they know that my japanese ability is not very good but they are still keen to teach me. i might not understand exactly word for word what they are telling me but i can get an idea of the meaning. i can tell if they are telling me i'm doing something right or wrong. i think that it is also a different challenge for them to try to teach someone who doesn't speak their language.

each week, as my japanese is getting better, as i hope my kendo is, i can understand more and more. i know that i am missing out on a lot of good advice at times because of the language barrier but i just try to use the advice i can understand as best as possible.

my advice to you would be to just go along to a dojo and try not to worry too much if you can't speak japanese well. it was intimidating for me at first and sometimes still is but i'm still learning and still enjoying kendo.

ganbare!!!