How to thank your club

[nodachi]

Everyone in my club has been extremely nice to me and they are doing the best they can to teach me and accomodate me since I do not speak the language yet. Different people have given me rides to practices or competitions that I cannot get to using public transportation. They also give me small gifts often. Today I came home with three new tenugui (sp?) from different people so I had souvenirs to remember today.

I lack the resources to thank each individually with random thank you gifts. I am currently taking suggestions for an appropriate thank you for my whole club to show them I appreciate all the work and small things they do for me.

Thanks

[Kendoka]

Best thanks you can give anyone that helps you is to turn up to every training opportunity and give it your best.

R

[Confound]

It is a japanese custom to give omiyage. I can't believe you're in Japan and you don't know this. Did you listen when you were briefed on Japanese culture, or did you snooze through that dreaming of Sekigahara?

At any rate, visit your local omiyage store, but some mochi or some sembe, or some other small food, and hand it out the next time you have practice. Mission accomplished. Everyone will think you're such a nice foreigner.

(i ask myself again, Why do I bother?)

c

[nodachi]

I know about omiyage, but I lack the money to give 10 or 12 different people random omiyage.

Or is it acceptable to buy one package thing and just ask them all to have some and share. That seems kinda strange to me though, not so special. Plus part of me feels like food isn't a suitable gift to say thank you for all they've done. It also feels strange because no one ever brings any food near practice.

Or is omiyage acceptable thanks for just about anything? I was hoping for something more Kendo related, although I know I am making things difficult with the whole lack of money condition.

I appreciate the suggestion though. Thanks

[JSchmidt]

One suggestion I was given to a similar question (and have seen done by others), is to give the most senior teacher a bottle of decent whisky..it will usually be shared straight after practice, for everyone to enjoy :)

Jakob

[KhawMengLee]

Or make something for them. Even some nice scenic photos you took from where you come from. etc

[Charlie]

I'm gonna go look it up, but maybe y'all can save me the trouble - what's omiyage?

Yeah, nodachi, part of it is that's just the kendo culture - looking out for other people. You will find this represented more or less in all dojos. So really there's little you can do about some of it except keep showing up, doing your best, and passing on that same kind of behavior to people newer than you!

[Will]

just buy a round of drinks

[stinkyKote]

When a member of our dojo left to return to japan, she made us all these really neat japanese style plastic fans-- the fan skeletons were store bought, but the coverings she made herself- they had a cartoon picture of a kendoka doing a men and a goodbye message from her written in japanese and in english- very nice gesture- great idea for a starving student type-

[KenD'OH]

well, you are not japanese right? why not do something special from your culture, whatever it may be.

[lewis]

Volunteering to take care of the dojo is something that I have always liked. Show up early and clean, stay late and clean, come in at off times and fix things, that kind of stuff. There is always a lot to do. Even if it isn't a real dojo. Actually, it makes a greater impression if it isn't. It will reflect very well on your sensei and club and make them look all good.

Disclaimer: In the US it works great, but I wouldn't do anything in Japan until I had checked it out thoroughly. Initiative can get you in big trouble over there.

[rottunpunk]

imglad im not the only one that has to clean the dojo then...the iai dojo in preston is a function room-its quite interesting what things you find there when you clean up... anybody up for a 2 day old scotch egg? :D...

um how about sweets-i like sweets they're good especially those orange ones that taste of candy floss-buy them sweets, sweets are nice. my iai headmaster likes toffees the best

:p