keishicho asageiko

[Kingofmyrrh]

It looks like I'll be back in Tokyo before long, although unfortunately this time I won't be at a university, so won't be able to practice there except for at weekends. Work will probably also mean that evening practice will be tricky to get to, so instead I'm thinking of attending morning practices.
I know that keishicho (tokyo met. police) have asageiko every morning at their main dojo in Shinkiba, but I've never been. I'd appreciate it if anybody who has attended could fill me in as to the contents of the practice. I know a million and one places where I can get great jigeiko against high quality opponents, but what I'm less knowledgeable about is where to find dojos that do lots of basics, which is really what I'd like to concentrate on for the time being. I'm kind of hoping that the police might be able to satisfy this desire, although from what I hear most asageiko is just jigeiko.... I'd be extremely grateful to hear from people who know for sure. Alternatively, if you know of any other basics-centric practices that are either in the morning or at weekends, I'd be keen to hear about them. Thanks in advance.

[kendokamax]

I only been to keishicho asakeiko once so I can't say how it is every morning..but I heard a little about it

.. anyway.


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started at 7: I think at that time there was free jigeiko (no sensei) but I couldnt come on time because of train schedule.

5 min break (drinking water, smoking etc..)

then at 8:00 some sensei talked about how to do men-suburi with suburito, and everyone did 200 of them with teachers going around and giving tips. Then there was kakari geiko for a little time.

5 min break (drinking water, smoking etc..)

then at 9 there was an other free keiko, but that time against the teachers.

Fin
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From what I heard there is almost all the time 2 period of jikeiko (one with the players the other one with the sensei). Then the other period must be kihon, blablabla, suburi or whatever..

Anyway, the athmosphere was very very different from any other practice that I attended in Japan, it's not that they are over-serious (people do joke around during break etc, Iwasa was particulary a clown) but it's their job..and during the practice there is really a special tension that you can feel.

Amazing thing is that there is almost as many sensei/coach as athlete in the buiding (not all the sensei were attending the practices the day I came and they were in their offices)

it was really a great experience but I wouldnt know about going there everyday I think I would feel in the way since it's their workplace..uuh actually i would like to go everyday...

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why don't you try to go to noma dojo? My friend is going and he said it's a really nice place and you can meet amazing people over there.

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by the way do you know if you can practice in keishicho but not with the "special kendo force" , I mean, I think they have 10 or so district (? ) and each of them have kendo practice (the better people of the district get to practice at the keishicho budokan as the "special kendo force").

[JSchmidt]

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why don't you try to go to noma dojo? My friend is going and he said it's a really nice place and you can meet amazing people over there.



Noma dojo's asageiko is just jigeiko...no kihon.

Jakob

[SuperkenshiLv2]

I was at Keishicho about two weeks ago so I can tell you what they've been up to recently. Their morning practice isnt much, its really only an hour practice with pretty much just some warm up motodachi keiko. Not to say its weak or anything but thats just basically the days warm up and is just a good chance to get some good keiko in with some high level sensei. Sometimes you might be able to get a practice or two in with one of the team members but thats at the very end. However, if you stay for the 2nd morning practice from 9 till about 11:30 or 12, thats when it gets hardcore and they start doing crazy stuff. Be it kihon for an hour, endurance practice, or a great session of open keiko. Their training changes depending on the day and the funny thing is they usually dont really know what they're actually doing until a little before practice starts. That is in no way a put down, but im just saying its kinda funny to see how many people you have to ask before you can figure out what's next. Also if they have the afternoon practice, let's just say your body will really hurt unless you've been practicing everyday for a month with them. Their schedule is pretty set, but you can count on the morning practice because a lot of other people come then to the practice like from Tokyo U, and in the afternoon practices the Imperial guard comes to the practices too. I was practicing there for about two weeks so I would assume they're doing the same thing. It was the same as my previous training there which was about a year and a half ago. And yes it starts at 7 in the morning!!! I hate getting up at 5 am!!!!

I've also been to Noma dojo, and yeah they were really cool. But I prefer Keishicho, I thought they were more fun.
Hope this was helpful!!!

[Neil Gendzwill]

I'd heard there were several levels of practice there, and as a normal tourist you'd attend the lowest level. If you want to practice with the big guns, you need an introduction. True?

[Iviro]

If you want to practice during their evening sessions(hardest training), you do need special permission from one of the senior senseis, and yeah seeing as it is their job you do feel somewhat embarassed invading their workspace like that... but I think morning practice is open to anyone 4th dan and above or something

[Kingofmyrrh]

Thanks very much for your contributions, especially kendokamax.
I've been to noma quite a few times. To be honest, after you get over the fact that you're practicing at a dojo with some serious heritage, the really rather mixed level of people who practice there is enough to encourage you to silence that pesky alarm clock...
The mid-morning practice at Keishicho sounds like just what I'm after... sadly work starts at 9.30 sharp!
I don't really know about introductions, but while I was freelancing for Kendo Nihon I made some useful connections... let's just say that I'm not too concerned about being able to get introductions.
Iviro, I'm interested in what you say about evening practice. When you say evening, do you have much idea what time that actually is?
Once again, thanks to all for sharing their knowledge!

[SuperkenshiLv2]

I'd heard there were several levels of practice there, and as a normal tourist you'd attend the lowest level. If you want to practice with the big guns, you need an introduction. True?

True, true! I forgot about that detail..... I was introduced by Ota sensei both times, he regularly visits the US so thats how I know him. But if you used to work kendo nihon you might not have much of a problem. Good luck!

[JSchmidt]

I believe there's a members only evening practice at Noma...I don't know how, what & what time, however and you probably got just better chance of finding out than me.

Jakob