Moving to Japan

[Nanbanjin]

See you in Tokyo in about six weeks

[Kingofmyrrh]

What are you going to be doing there? Do you know where you're going to practice?

[Nanbanjin]

What are you going to be doing there? Do you know where you're going to practice?
I'll be working for a large software company.
I'm not sure where I'll be staying yet. The company will be putting me up for the first month and then I have to find a place of my own. I was thinking of maybe Nakano-ku so I could train with Ozawa Sensei at Kobukan. I trained there for a year in 1996. For starters I'll probably be busy and restricted to training say once a week on the weekends. Any suggestions?

[tanueirin]

Is this a permanent move? Does this mean there's a spot open on the Queensland dan team? Who will step up to fill Nanbanjin's enormous footwear?

[kanyil]

Hi Nanbanjin,

I had only heard about you guys in Bris-vegas from the folks at the Sydney Kendo Club and you are now moving to Japan! Good luck!

[Nanbanjin]

tanueirin,

Yes, I am more or less emigrating. However, I'll keep paying Queensland and Australian Renmei fees and hope to keep participating in the Australian Championships, even if it means I have to fly in on the moring of the comp Stuart Burke style. Actually I didn't have to do much for the team comp this year. Mostly just standing around watching the others win the comp for us.

Thanks Kanyil,

I'll be heading to Sydney before flying out so if your with the SKC I might see you there.

[tanueirin]

When will you be in Sydney? I'm going to be there for a week (29/7 to 5/8) before going to Melbourne for the women's seminar. Otherwise we'll see you in Perth next year! Hmm, coming to the Nationals after training in Japan - do I smell payback?

Angie

[Nanbanjin]

I start work in Japan on July 18.
I wont be training all that much, so I'll probably be fat and unfit by the time of the next nationals.

[Catherine]

Good luck Peter.

I hope you get some time for training - I can't imagine you fat and unfit!!

Catherine

[natehill13]

One thing you can do is go to the local police station, they should tell you where practices are, and tell you which local schools have adult classes. There should be several high ranking sensei there. If it is anything like Okinawa you should have no lack of good teachers.

[Kingofmyrrh]

I've heard that Ozawa sensei's place is a pretty good dojo. As it happens I'm moving out at about the same time, but I'm a fan of SW Tokyo, I guess, so I might be around there somewhere. I've always got practice at Keio, which will be great at the weekends, but I was thinking of trying to live not a million miles away from shinkiba so that I could drop by the police some mornings. Problem is, there's almost nothing else of any interest there except for the police dojo. Would be fine if I could live somewhere like nokizaka or shirakanedai, since they're reasonably positioned for both, but there's no way I could manage the rent there. Oh well...

[Nanbanjin]

I've heard that Ozawa sensei's place is a pretty good dojo. As it happens I'm moving out at about the same time, but I'm a fan of SW Tokyo, I guess, so I might be around there somewhere. I've always got practice at Keio, which will be great at the weekends, but I was thinking of trying to live not a million miles away from shinkiba so that I could drop by the police some mornings. Problem is, there's almost nothing else of any interest there except for the police dojo. Would be fine if I could live somewhere like nokizaka or shirakanedai, since they're reasonably positioned for both, but there's no way I could manage the rent there. Oh well...
How much are you planning on paying for rent. I'm sort of thinking of paying around 80,000 a month. Is that too optimistic for Tokyo? If I was going to be paying that much should I be planning to fork out 300,000 up front to cover bond etc?

[nodachi]

How much are you planning on paying for rent. I'm sort of thinking of paying around 80,000 a month. Is that too optimistic for Tokyo? If I was going to be paying that much should I be planning to fork out 300,000 up front to cover bond etc?

Tokyo is megabucks! If I were you, I would live outside of the city where you can be within 30 minute train ride of Tokyo, but get much cheaper rent for a much bigger place too. There are places in Yokohama even that are like 3DK's for about 70,000 a month. Go to Tokyo, and you'll be paying at least that for a 1 room place. Deal with a little commute. You'll be financially much happier with it.

[ben]

Good luck Peter and ganbatte. [cough]bastard![cough]

;)

b

[Nanbanjin]

Last time I was in Tokyo I was in a dorm near Mitaka station and I liked the area. Maybe if I went out as far as Tachikawa there might be something nice. Thanks for the info.

Ben,

Thanks, I'm still crowing.

[Kingofmyrrh]

I think nodachi's got it about right. Anything that's too close to (or indeed inside of) yamanotesen is super pricy. I don't really know about that direction though - I did go there once to practice at the kanidouraku (crab restuarant) company dojo, after which they gace me a free meal (yes!), but that's about the limit of my experience in nakano-ish area.

[Catherine]

Hey Peter,

Stuart Burke trains at Kobukan with Ozawa sensei. Jon Cross did as well before he left Japan. If you like I could give you Stuart's email and you could see what he recommends about accommodation in that area.

Catherine

[Andoru]

Ah Peter you crazy ninja you! *grrrr* Psst I might join you in a few years if I got bored in sydney.

I heard that Stuart and Arpad both train at the same dojo in Tokyo. Not sure where though.

Ganbatte mate and keep in touch!

[Nanbanjin]

Hey Peter,

Stuart Burke trains at Kobukan with Ozawa sensei. Jon Cross did as well before he left Japan. If you like I could give you Stuart's email and you could see what he recommends about accommodation in that area.

Catherine

I would like Stuart's email address, but I managed to sort out the dojo situation by ringing an old Japanese friend who has invited me to train with his company on Saturdays. When he was at university at Keio he was on the men's team and he ended up marrying one of the girls from the women's team at the same uni.
(Kingofmyrrh: his name was Toshimune Kimura and his wife's maiden name was Satoko Kai)
The company is Sonpo Japan.
Once a week on Saturdays will do me for the time being until I get settled in.

I'm still thinking about accomodation. For starters I would like to be close to the hub. I'll revise my budget up to 100,000/month and try for a 1dk place somewhere. After I've been there for a while I'll consider moving into something a little bigger and further out. The company is giving me a month to decide so I might as well take my time.

[JSchmidt]

Hmm?..you can actually get a place of your own in Tokyo for 100.000yen?

Jakob

[Nanbanjin]

Hmm?..you can actually get a place of your own in Tokyo for 100.000yen?

Jakob
That is the question...

[JSchmidt]

Hehe..I've applied for a couple of jobs in Tokyo, so I'm following this thread with keen interest (although I'm not sure how likely it is that I will get those jobs, as my Japanese most likely isnt good enough for them to risk it).

Jakob

[Nanbanjin]

Hehe..I've applied for a couple of jobs in Tokyo, so I'm following this thread with keen interest (although I'm not sure how likely it is that I will get those jobs, as my Japanese most likely isnt good enough for them to risk it).

Jakob
Good luck!
I've been looking since I graduated at the end of last year. I had a job anyway so I wasn't in a hurry, and I've been lucky enough to get something that seems really good. I guess the moral of the story is be patient and persistent. People have been telling me that the Japanese economy is hotting up so it might be a good time to be looking.
As far as accommodation goes, from what I can tell 100,000 should be doable. I've got a url for an English language rental guide somewhere and I'll post it once I dig it up.
The company I'm with have been so good that they've offered a 20 foot container to ship all my stuff. It's going to look funny with nothing but my bogu sitting right in the middle.

I'll keep you up to date with my progress.

[projectnavi]

i wonder how long it will take to learn japanese on my own...i think i will definitively need to move there for a Long time before it gets hammered into the brain cells.

good luck on those jobs tho!

project

[JSchmidt]

As far as accommodation goes, from what I can tell 100,000 should be doable. I've got a url for an English language rental guide somewhere and I'll post it once I dig it up.

That's actually encouraging..(I was expecting it to be more in line with London prices which is around twice that).
I'm very well qualified for the jobs I'm applying for, apart from my Japanese. They all ask for 'basic conversation level', which I'm probably a good 6-9 months away from achieving(I'm currently doing evening classes again)..worst is that I know I would be able to pick that level up in a couple of months of actually living there...so my current plan(hope) is that my qualifications are strong enough to convince them to risk taking me on with my current Japanese-language ability.

Jakob

[Nanbanjin]

That's actually encouraging..(I was expecting it to be more in line with London prices which is around twice that).


Here is the link I mentioned

http://www.tokyoapt.com/

The following are the same type of thing but in Japanese

http://www.eheya.net/ - japan real estate search site

http://www.joint-rent.co.jp/index.html

http://www.q-chintai.com/

[Nanbanjin]

I just had another look at the site and the prices are a little on the pricey side. If you look through you'll see a few 2k (2 bedrooms + kitchen) places for around 100,000. The Japanese language sites give a much better selection.

[Kingofmyrrh]

I didn't know about q-chintai, nice site. I must admit I'd been mainly using plain old chintai.net. I'm sure 100000 a month will get you a pretty reasonable place if you look around.
I think I've met Mr. Kimura. The keio kendo club romances continue apace!

[Infinity]

we are really going to miss you mate.

[Fonsz]

we are really going to miss you mate.
We are green with envy that's what we are. To make up for it he has to do research for us just like Matlock did a while ago. Even if we ask strange questions about hot girls in bogu or something. Otherwise I call for a lifelong ban on the KWF because we will turn greener and greener when he reports about his migration.

[Nanbanjin]

Firstly,

Infinity, without wanting to be too cryptic for the KWFers, you read my text message so you know the deal!

Fonsz,

Yeah, I'm in the dark a bit myself at the moment. Need to get a visa organised so I can start work on July 19 but don't know how to do it. Many similar mysteries remain regarding the relocation and I am hoping for some information today. Still, I have signed the contract now so everything should be fine given time.
Will keep you updated when I work out what the hell is going on.

[Nanbanjin]

I'm still on course for Tokyo. I now have two plane tickets, one that gets me to Sydney on the 4th of July, and another that gets me to Tokyo after a couple a weeks in the care of my parents and the Sydney and University of New South Wales kendo clubs on July 17.
Looks like my company will be putting me up in a hotel for the first month or until I find permanent accomodation, whichever comes first. I have bumbed my credit card limit up to ten grand (aud) and I might need every cent because I might not see any money from the company until the end of August, and Tokyo is bloody expensive. "Megabucks" to borrow an expression from nodachi.
I still have little idea what I will be doing workwise. If someone can make head or tail of the company website (www.sap.com), please let me know. Then I will at least have a start.
More importantly I've sort of arranged to train at Kobukan and hope to attend training there on Wednesday July 20.
I am with my current employer until the end of the month and they are working me like a slave, which is good because it makes the time go quicker. Only six working days to go (I get to use a day in lieu which brings it down from seven). My current team are all great and everyone at work has been really supportive about my move to Japan even though it means they will loose their number-one, no-matter-what-the-job-just-to-it-and-don't-ask-questions lackey worker. I'd just like to say that the people I work with are damned decent.
Which reminds me, I have to get up and go to work in four and a half hours. Better get some shut-eye.

[Veren]

I still have little idea what I will be doing workwise. If someone can make head or tail of the company website (www.sap.com) (http://www.sap.com%29), please let me know. Then I will at least have a start.

Working at SAP? Wow, nice.

I worked with SAP (the software product) a number of years ago. SAP (the software) is the main flagship of SAP (the company) and essentially it's a database and business workflow package. To put it in English terms, it's a product that tracks and initiates actions that are used in the normal day-to-day running of a business (like receiving purchase orders, allocating inventory, cutting invoices, sending electronic notifications, etc, etc).

Back when I was exposed to it (errrr, around 1998 or so), not many people knew how to program in its language ("R/3" it was called), so consulting firms were looking for anyone who knew anything about R/3 (the joke went that if you knew what "SAP" stood for, PriceWaterhouse wanted to speak with you.) I'm sure that the software products have matured since then, but I imagine that the basic premise behind what the software does has not. As it was, I've always been impressed with what SAP could do as a software package.

SAP is also a German company, and the R/3 programmers were well-aware of this, since all the database columns are (or at least were) named using the German terms. But since German words tend to be.... errr, longish... the column names actually ended up being german words mangled to make them shorter. So, the "contract" field was KONNR or something. It took a little getting used to. Not sure if that's still the case or not.

</geek mode off>

Good luck on your new job. Keep us informed about living in Japan. I have a dream someday of going there myself.

[Nanbanjin]

Veren,

Thanks for all the information.
My reporting manager will be German. My Dad keeps telling me I should "learn German", like learning a language is as simple as buying a new pair of shoes, but from what you say he might have a point.
I'm certainly getting the impression that I'm lucky to be working for SAP. Most people I tell have either never heard of the company, or just stand there for a while before saying "wow". I stopped pinching myself a while ago but I when I think about it long enough I still find the whole thing a bit unbelievable.

[ben]

You're almost there Peter! Now just do one thing for me: don't feck it all up by meeting your soul mate a week before you're due to leave...

b

[Nanbanjin]

You're almost there Peter! Now just do one thing for me: don't feck it all up by meeting your soul mate a week before you're due to leave...

b
Current interest in that respect is in Sendai.
Giving up a job in Tokyo and a half decent salary isn't likely to do my chances much good so I think I should be safe.

[Andoru]

Hi Peter let me know where you're in Sydney mate. We want to make sure your farewell is "memorable".

[Martino]

Hi again Peter

I have a friend who works with SAP. Started here in Australia and now works in Europe. He bought himself a German dictionary so he could ready the database and code documentation.

And good luck Andrew making your Sydney send off more memorable than thans Peters Brisbane one.

[Nanbanjin]

Hi again Peter

I have a friend who works with SAP. Started here in Australia and now works in Europe. He bought himself a German dictionary so he could ready the database and code documentation.

And good luck Andrew making your Sydney send off more memorable than thans Peters Brisbane one.
I think there's a few people who don't remember much of my Brisbane farewell. Glad you were able to be there.
Thanks heaps again to Infinity and all the people from Kenshinkai for the great night!

[Infinity]

dooitashimashita nanbanjin.
it was a great night.
i remember everything - the saki, shots, wine, beer, kendo on the teev and some very nice pyjamas...

we will do it again next time you visit us.

[tanueirin]

Ah, you're off then? Best of luck and see you at next year's Nationals! We might get to see an interesting reshuffling of the top 3 Dan Individuals at the event ;)

[Nanbanjin]

Ah, you're off then? Best of luck and see you at next year's Nationals! We might get to see an interesting reshuffling of the top 3 Dan Individuals at the event ;)
I'll be training regularly with Stuart in Japan. My record against him is 3 losses, 0 wins, so I think I might make it a personal mission.

[Kirin]

Nanbanjin,

Lucky you~
You get to practice with Hide-san and gang!
Be sure to visit Sanraku, the kendo sushi-bar. If need info about Sanraku PM me

Anyrates Good luck in Japan and hope I get to practice with you when I go visit Japan (I usually go there 3-4 times a year)

[Nanbanjin]

Nanbanjin,

Lucky you~
You get to practice with Hide-san and gang!
Be sure to visit Sanraku, the kendo sushi-bar. If need info about Sanraku PM me

Anyrates Good luck in Japan and hope I get to practice with you when I go visit Japan (I usually go there 3-4 times a year)
Hide.-san told me to get in contact when I get there.
I wanted to go to a sushi bar here for my going away party but the Japanese guys at work wouldn't allow it, saying they were too jealous of all the good sushi I'd be getting in Tokyo. Sanraku sounds like a good place to start.
Just let me know when you are coming to Japan. I'll make training with you a priority.

Peter

[Yiu Fai]

Nanbanjin,

Be sure to visit Sanraku, the kendo sushi-bar. If need info about Sanraku PM me

There's a Kendo-Sushi bar? Pray tell! Two of my fav things in this world :-)

[Fonsz]

Hide.-san told me to get in contact when I get there.
I wanted to go to a sushi bar here for my going away party but the Japanese guys at work wouldn't allow it, saying they were too jealous of all the good sushi I'd be getting in Tokyo. Sanraku sounds like a good place to start.
Just let me know when you are coming to Japan. I'll make training with you a priority.

Peter
Don't forget to stay online regularly so that we can ask difficult questions, which you are obligated to research for us and have answers ASAP..........
And also don't forget to enjoy yourself that's something most hard working salarimen can't seem to do.

[Nanbanjin]

Slight not-entirely-unexpected setback due amount of time needed to get a visa. New start date in Japan is August 1. Means I will be in Sydney for a week or so longer than originally expected.

Does anyone out there know whether the various university clubs are training over the holiday break? I'm hoping to train at UNSW on Thursday night but will there be anyone there to train with? I have a prior arrangement (State of Origin) so I wont be able to train at Willoughby tomorrow but will be there on Saturday morning if that's OK.

I worked out that if you put your mind to it you can train about 18 hours a week in Sydney. Don't think I'll manage that much but would like to train with as many dojos as possible.

[Hyaku]

Slight not-entirely-unexpected setback due amount of time needed to get a visa. New start date in Japan is August 1. Means I will be in Sydney for a week or so longer than originally expected.

Does anyone out there know whether the various university clubs are training over the holiday break?

Well a lot of students take this time to try and work to raise some cash. A lot go home, some do have gashuku. My local uni has a Taikai.

Schools are up to the neck in taikai. Gyokuryuki etc.

[Nanbanjin]

I submitted my visa application today and I am assured that my visa will be ready on Thursday morning. Arrive in Japan on Saturday afternoon. Orientation on Monday and Tuesday and start work on Wednesday. Wont have an opportunity to play kendo till probably the following Saturday. Can't wait.

[Infinity]

we are missing you real bad.
i will be thinking of you on your first day in the new job.
i wish i had some encouraging words of wisdom...
how 'bout... "always remember where you towel is".

[Nanbanjin]

Was just out with some friends and was telling them about the good times back up in Brisbane. Thinking of all I'll be missing I'm not sure whether this going to Japan caper such a good thing after all. Spewing about all the earthquake activity over there at the moment too. In 48 hours I will be in Tokyo spending my first night of what could be very many.

[Infinity]

alas we said goodbye to another from our club who is also heading to Japan.
this young man started kendo the same time as i did and it was kind of fun charting our progress together.
he is moving way out to the country somewhere to teach english and he is so excited.
nanbanjin, i am sure you will love japan and your new job.
as someone once said to me in a drunken slur: "you gota have fun with it!"

[Nanbanjin]

Just a quick note to let you know I arrived in Tokyo safe and sound. Spent my first seeing the sights. Will probably get to training next Saturday.
For the time being I'm having fun with it as directed.

Also, should add a thankyou to the KW team. It's really nice to be able to log into the forum as it makes me feel right at home wherever I may be.

[Lloromannic]

Just a quick note to let you know I arrived in Tokyo safe and sound. Spent my first seeing the sights. Will probably get to training next Saturday.
For the time being I'm having fun with it as directed.

Also, should add a thankyou to the KW team. It's really nice to be able to log into the forum as it makes me feel right at home wherever I may be.


AWWWWWWW, you know you will always have a special place in my heart goaty.

[Nanbanjin]

AWWWWWWW, you know you will always have a special place in my heart goaty.
cheeky young cove.
make sure you drop me a line if you ever come over.

A trip to buy a shinai ended up being an evening of eating crab brains and sea urchins followed by having attractive young Japanese girls get paid to pour me shouchu and talk to me. Right now Japan is very very good. First training session will be either Friday or Saturday. Can't wait.

[Lloromannic]

cheeky young cove.
make sure you drop me a line if you ever come over.

A trip to buy a shinai ended up being an evening of eating crab brains and sea urchins followed by having attractive young Japanese girls get paid to pour me shouchu and talk to me. Right now Japan is very very good. First training session will be either Friday or Saturday. Can't wait.

I certainly will, I plan to go to uni there. You are lucky, my last trip to buy a shinai (broke spectacularily at the National Championship last weekend) ended with me getting chased by man whores in a very grotty street.

[Fonsz]

Just a quick note to let you know I arrived in Tokyo safe and sound. Spent my first seeing the sights. Will probably get to training next Saturday.
For the time being I'm having fun with it as directed.

Also, should add a thankyou to the KW team. It's really nice to be able to log into the forum as it makes me feel right at home wherever I may be.
Yes, yes this is all very well but don't forget your moral obligation to do research for us when questions arise regarding matters Japanese in general and Kendo in particular. Just kidding, hope you have a great time and hopefully we can meet some time (in Japan of course).

[Nanbanjin]

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten my obligations. Today they took me to a shot bar where an old Japanese guy was shouting me and a couple of colleagues drinks after a good feed in a yakitori bar. I'm sure there was something very kendo in the whole experience but I've yet to put my finger on it. Will keep you updated with further adventures.

[Kirin]

Don't worry, I haven't forgotten my obligations. Today they took me to a shot bar where an old Japanese guy was shouting me and a couple of colleagues drinks after a good feed in a yakitori bar. I'm sure there was something very kendo in the whole experience but I've yet to put my finger on it. Will keep you updated with further adventures.

So what part of tokyo did you drifted to?
Dont forget about the Kendo Sushi Bar, San Raku in Nakano, the secret hiding place for Ichi Ni Kai and Hide.san's gang.

Good luck and good practices in Japan~

[Kingofmyrrh]

So what part of tokyo did you drifted to?
Dont forget about the Kendo Sushi Bar, San Raku in Nakano, the secret hiding place for Ichi Ni Kai and Hide.san's gang.

Good luck and good practices in Japan~
I got my invitation to San Raku and the associated keikokai a few weeks ago... can't wait to actually meet the gang!

[Nanbanjin]

So what part of tokyo did you drifted to?
Dont forget about the Kendo Sushi Bar, San Raku in Nakano, the secret hiding place for Ichi Ni Kai and Hide.san's gang.

Good luck and good practices in Japan~
I'm in Shinbashi for the time being. I'm meeting with a real estate agent tomorrow but I'm still not sure where I'm going to live in the long term.
I trained at the Kobukan dojo in Nakano last night. It was my first training since arriving and I was really feeling the effect of the heat and of not having trained and of eating and drinking too much over the past couple of months. Needless to say I got my arse whipped, including by my fellow Australian Stuart, but I guess that's why I'm here. It was hard but I really enjoyed it and I feel a lot better now that I've gotten back into kendo. I had trained at kobukan the last time I was here eight years ago and most of the faces were still familiar.

I have also been invited to train with a corporate club that trains on Saturday mornings but there's a deviation from their normal schedule today so I got to sleep. Will be a couple of weeks till I get to train there.

Work has been good. Not that I've really done any. The standard uniform at the office seems to be jeans, sneakers and a well-worn t-shirt. The vibe was more intimidating at the office in Brisbane. People at work are helpful and friendly.

I'm taking it easy this weekend. I've been pissed (that's drunk for the seppos) to varying degrees pretty every night since I've been here so I want to give my body time to recharge. This evening I'm going to see some fireworks with another Aussie guy who joined the company with me but I'll try and take it easy. I'll catch up with the guys from Ichinikai soon.

Kingofmyrrh,

Maybe we could get in a training session together sometime. No hurry, but please keep it in mind.

Peter

[karai]

Did you bring a camera? Some photos would be nice ^^;

[Andoru]

Indeed. The "hot girl in bogu" thread requires a good rejuvenation. ;)

[Nanbanjin]

I wanted a simple mobile phone and ended up with not only a mobile phone but with a phone that takes pictures and lets me watch TV.
If KW provided more provision for uploading photos I would upload, but at the moment I am too pissed to think of an easier way. Sorry KW for putting the onus on you.

Andoru, the hot girl in kendo uniform thread will soon be the most popular thread on KW ever. I think it is doing well on it's own.

[Anjin-san]

You have no IDEA how jealous I am. Live the adventure :-)

[Lloromannic]

I wanted a simple mobile phone and ended up with not only a mobile phone but with a phone that takes pictures and lets me watch TV.
If KW provided more provision for uploading photos I would upload, but at the moment I am too pissed to think of an easier way. Sorry KW for putting the onus on you.

Andoru, the hot girl in kendo uniform thread will soon be the most popular thread on KW ever. I think it is doing well on it's own.

Upload them to Imageshack and link to them. Sounds like you are having fun, but all that booze sounds expensive.

[Fonsz]

Indeed. The "hot girl in bogu" thread requires a good rejuvenation. ;)
I second this motion, because I forgot all about it until the Commander and Mugu turned up but not in the proper respectable thread. Yes this is also something that you should research it's a rotten job but someone has to do it.:wink:

[Nanbanjin]

Upload them to Imageshack and link to them. Sounds like you are having fun, but all that booze sounds expensive.
Oh, you meen like this...

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/9027/upyours6vk.th.png (http://img145.imageshack.us/my.php?image=upyours6vk.png)

True about the booze and expense. I need to get an apartment soon before I drink away my bond and key money.

BTW, the photo is me in my company funded weekly mansion. Now I've worked out how to do this I should be able to manage it drunk, which believe it or not is exactly what I am right now. Just the residual effects of post keiko beers. Need to work tomorrow. Need to sleep.

[Lloromannic]

Oh, you meen like this...

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/9027/upyours6vk.th.png

True about the booze and expense. I need to get an apartment soon before I drink away my bond and key money.

BTW, the photo is me in my company funded weekly mansion. Now I've worked out how to do this I should be able to manage it drunk, which believe it or not is exactly what I am right now. Just the residual effects of post keiko beers. Need to work tomorrow. Need to sleep.


Ah Nanbanjin, you are the epitome of elegance and taste.

[tanueirin]

Hi Pete!

I just got back from the women's kendo seminar in Melbourne, and Chiba sensei after a few cold ones is a truly unforgettable experience, so - kudos to you for having the endurance to train like that every night :)

I got to catch up with Alexis (Infinity) and Nick (Shiatsuman) which was good too and got to hear about some of your exploits.

Will be heading to Japan for 3 weeks in February and will be in Tokyo for 5 days - hope to catch up with you then.

Angie

PS. Are you going to start a blog? Go on, you know you want to... We need to live vicariously through your dodgy salaryman kendoka adventures :D

[Nanbanjin]

Hi Pete!

I just got back from the women's kendo seminar in Melbourne, and Chiba sensei after a few cold ones is a truly unforgettable experience, so - kudos to you for having the endurance to train like that every night :)

I got to catch up with Alexis (Infinity) and Nick (Shiatsuman) which was good too and got to hear about some of your exploits.

Will be heading to Japan for 3 weeks in February and will be in Tokyo for 5 days - hope to catch up with you then.

Angie

PS. Are you going to start a blog? Go on, you know you want to... We need to live vicariously through your dodgy salaryman kendoka adventures :D
Typical of Nick to be hanging around a women's kendo seminar. The guys from Brisbane are tops. However, whatever they said about me was pure fabrication.You would have seen Shigeoka sensei there too I guess?

If you don't come and train at Kobukan in February I will hunt you down and spank you with half a barbequed squid.
No I will not start a blog (Sorry mum!)
Japan is still good. Things got a bit out of hand last night because I was so pissed I got in the shower with my hearing aid still in. Luckily I was able to hear the soft pitter patter of water or there could have been hell to pay. The bloody thing cost $2500.

[tanueirin]

So that story about the 7 harajuku girls and the pickled octopus isn't true? Damn!

I was quite surprised at how many guys came from interstate as well, actually. Hopefully their motives were pure and kendo-related :) The combined training sessions held by Chiba sensei were well worth it, however.

I think I may have shocked our Nick at one point. If I recall correctly, his exact words were "Now that's just wrong!"

[Nanbanjin]

So that story about the 7 harajuku girls and the pickled octopus isn't true? Damn!

I was quite surprised at how many guys came from interstate as well, actually. Hopefully their motives were pure and kendo-related :) The combined training sessions held by Chiba sensei were well worth it, however.

I think I may have shocked our Nick at one point. If I recall correctly, his exact words were "Now that's just wrong!"

The story about the pickled octopus is "just wrong".
Had a very Iron Chef type meal last night. Played against my first 8th dan since arriving. Then a nice evening discussing the finer points of kendo over saki and foie gras cooked in a miso sauce.

[Lloromannic]

Oh, you meen like this...

[/url]http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/9027/upyours6vk.th.png

True about the booze and expense. I need to get an apartment soon before I drink away my bond and key money.

BTW, the photo is me in my company funded weekly mansion. Now I've worked out how to do this I should be able to manage it drunk, which believe it or not is exactly what I am right now. Just the residual effects of post keiko beers. Need to work tomorrow. Need to sleep.

You may find [url="http://www.ohmygoditburns.com/wordpress/index.php?p=4"]this article (http://img145.imageshack.us/my.php?image=upyours6vk.png) useful to save some money, it also works with other drinks if Vodka is not your thing.

[Andoru]

Great to hear that you're having fun Peter! Might have to crash at your place when I'm in Japan next eh? ;)

[Nanbanjin]

Great to hear that you're having fun Peter! Might have to crash at your place when I'm in Japan next eh? ;)

Floor space is reserved for people who actually play kendo. Don't remember seeing you when I was in Sydney...????

[Kirin]

I got my invitation to San Raku and the associated keikokai a few weeks ago... can't wait to actually meet the gang!
Nice!!
Please send my best wishes to Kuni san (Owner of SanRaku) from Hiro from Dallas.

Nanbanjin,
Thanks for PM.
I will be in Tokyo for middle part of November.
Hope we can get together~
Maybe we can visit Kingofmyrrh's dojo and keiko huh?

[Kingofmyrrh]

Kingofmyrrh needs to actually get to Japan first....

Apparently they just laid down a new hinoki floor at Keio's Hiyoshi dojo... I have to get there before those students trash it!

[Okori]

I wish I could train in japan...

something to aspire to once I have a katana on my wall...

[Nanbanjin]

I wish I could train in japan...

something to aspire to once I have a katana on my wall...
Actually, what you need is a visa and a plane ticket.

[Kirin]

Kingofmyrrh needs to actually get to Japan first....

Apparently they just laid down a new hinoki floor at Keio's Hiyoshi dojo... I have to get there before those students trash it!

I thought Hiyoshi campus was only for freshman. They get better floor than Mita?

[Kingofmyrrh]

I thought Hiyoshi campus was only for freshman. They get better floor than Mita?
The main dojo used to be in Tsunamachi, Mita. However, it got too old and so they knocked it down about ten years ago. The new dojo that they have there is lovely - new floor, airconditioning, nice changing facilities, but it's not quite big enough for the university club. It's used by the OBkai, girls' high school, and junior high school. The one at Hiyoshi is used by the high school and the university clubs (taiikukai, medical faculty club, engineering faculty club). When we do taiikukai practice, everyone gathers at Hiyoshi. This means that if you have classes at Mita, like I did, then you have a long journey every day...
Of course, there are other dojos as well, such as at the Shonan Fujisawa campus, but I haven't been there.

[Nanbanjin]

Due to popular demand (well, due to demand from tanueirin and from my mum) I have relented and created a blog to chronicle my stay in Japan. I'm off to a flying start, but can't promise anything as I've got a fairly bad history with this type of thing.

The blog will be about general stuff, not just kendo. You've gotta understand - I've got a mother to keep happy!

Catch it here .... http://nipponkokujuen.blogspot.com/

[Andoru]

Knew you'd relent sooner or later! :)

[tanueirin]

Yes, that was quite a persuasive post from me, I must admit ^_^

[Nanbanjin]

Yes, that was quite a persuasive post from me, I must admit ^_^
At the recent training with Chiba sensei did you happen to run into a girl called Suzuki-San. If you don't remember her name you'd remember her kiai which is something like linda blair from the exorcist and her fumikomi which is something like thunder after the corner telegraph pole has been struck by lightening. She's about 33 and is a sixth dan. She trains at our club and was in Melbourne recently for the women's training seminar. Did you notice her there?

[Infinity]

At the recent training with Chiba sensei did you happen to run into a girl called Suzuki-San. If you don't remember her name you'd remember her kiai which is something like linda blair from the exorcist and her fumikomi which is something like thunder after the corner telegraph pole has been struck by lightening. She's about 33 and is a sixth dan. She trains at our club and was in Melbourne recently for the women's training seminar. Did you notice her there?

yep. she was one of the sensei taking the women's seminair.
amazing to watch.
so much energy...

[Nanbanjin]

yep. she was one of the sensei taking the women's seminair.
amazing to watch.
so much energy...
You had a good instructor then. She was late to training last night and joined me and my partner to make a group of three for kihon. Wasn't long before someone else pinched her though. Damn.

[Lloromannic]

You had a good instructor then. She was late to training last night and joined me and my partner to make a group of three for kihon. Wasn't long before someone else pinched her though. Damn.

And why not write about it in your blog? It needs an update.

[Nanbanjin]

And why not write about it in your blog? It needs an update.
I'm getting the internet connected this weekend so maybe that will provide the impetus I need to get the blog updated. Thanks for checking.

[ben]

I'm coming to Japan but not getting any further than Kyushu... zannen. The blog's fun to read. Not sure if that's too much info about your ear though... :/

b

[Nanbanjin]

I'm coming to Japan but not getting any further than Kyushu... zannen. The blog's fun to read. Not sure if that's too much info about your ear though... :/

b
Yeah, but there's heaps more about the ear to add yet. I'll probably have surgery next month.

Sorry you can't make it to Tokyo. I'm sure Kyushu will be fun. Is there a particular event you are going there for?

[Lloromannic]

I'm getting the internet connected this weekend so maybe that will provide the impetus I need to get the blog updated. Thanks for checking.

I just might join you in a couple years if my Monbukagakusho application goes well. It still is a fairly long time away though. Todai, here I come.

[Nanbanjin]

I just might join you in a couple years if my Monbukagakusho application goes well. It still is a fairly long time away though. Todai, here I come.
Keep up the study. I'll still be here then.

[tanueirin]

At the recent training with Chiba sensei did you happen to run into a girl called Suzuki-San.

Sorry for the late reply Nanbanjin, I haven't checked the forum for ages. Yes, there is no way I could NOT have noticed her! Her kendo is amazing, she packs the explosive energy of 6 people into one tiny woman, and there are no doubts in my mind that she could take on all the Australian National champions from the past 5 years and wipe the floor with them. Appearances are deceiving - she has a very delicate frame, and then you look at her forearms... :shocked:

She's also a really nice person outside the dojo. And a funky dresser :)

[Nanbanjin]

Sorry for the late reply Nanbanjin, I haven't checked the forum for ages. Yes, there is no way I could NOT have noticed her! Her kendo is amazing, she packs the explosive energy of 6 people into one tiny woman, and there are no doubts in my mind that she could take on all the Australian National champions from the past 5 years and wipe the floor with them. Appearances are deceiving - she has a very delicate frame, and then you look at her forearms... :shocked:

She's also a really nice person outside the dojo. And a funky dresser :)
The National championships from the past five years? That'd be Kirby, Kirby, Kirby, Brett and Brett.

I've noticed the forearms and even more so the triceps. Haven't paid too much attention to the funky threads, but she does have a kickarse shinai bag.

[tanueirin]

The National championships from the past five years? That'd be Kirby, Kirby, Kirby, Brett and Brett.

Don't forget the Dan teams! :D

[Nanbanjin]

A small clip I took with my mobile phone at today's All Japan Corporate Teams Comp at the Nippon Budokan.

http://ia300140.us.archive.org/3/items/Kendo/050919_083702.AMC

The quality is crap but you get a good feel of the swarm of kendo players that was out there on the floor. Turn up the sound for the full effect. And yes, I've put it on my blog already.

p.s you'll need quicktime or something similar to play it.

[Nanbanjin]

Six months in and all's going well.
Had to give up kendo for a while because I had ear surgery. Have ordered a new men which will be ready about the same time I am ready to go back to training in a week or two.
Have been using my time off to work on my pool game. Pool here is more budo than kendo.
Went to a maid cafe and a school girl cafe in Akihabara last night. Also won something in a ufo catcher for the first time ever. Got back to Nakano at about twelve thirty and played pool with "the Master" until five this morning. Decided not to bother going to sleep.
Performance feedback at work last Friday was positive and I'm busy and interested in my job.
In summary: Japan is everything I hoped it would be.

[Lloromannic]

Six months in and all's going well.
Had to give up kendo for a while because I had ear surgery. Have ordered a new men which will be ready about the same time I am ready to go back to training in a week or two.
Have been using my time off to work on my pool game. Pool here is more budo than kendo.
Went to a maid cafe and a school girl cafe in Akihabara last night. Also won something in a ufo catcher for the first time ever. Got back to Nakano at about twelve thirty and played pool with "the Master" until five this morning. Decided not to bother going to sleep.
Performance feedback at work last Friday was positive and I'm busy and interested in my job.
In summary: Japan is everything I hoped it would be.

I thought you were dead. I hope you make a speedy recovery.

[Nanbanjin]

I thought you were dead. I hope you make a speedy recovery.
Thank you very much, but the nurses here are so cute I'm actually trying to get sick again.

[Nanbanjin]

Bought new men on Wednesday 6 man yen. Started back at training for the first time in two months on Friday night. Felt good to be back into it. Put my sports club membership on hold today - don't have time for running and kendo.

[Lloromannic]

Bought new men on Wednesday 6 man yen. Started back at training for the first time in two months on Friday night. Felt good to be back into it. Put my sports club membership on hold today - don't have time for running and kendo.

Is it a jewel encrusted RBSO men?

[Nanbanjin]

Is it a jewel encrusted RBSO men?
Nah, just your standard run-of-the-mill RBSO men.

[Nanbanjin]

二ヶ月に剣道をやったらまたはまってしまった。職場にいながら、剣道のことばかり考えている毎 日。

[Infinity]

二ヶ月に剣道をやったらまたはまってしまった。職場にいながら、剣道のことばかり考えている毎 日。
and for those of us whose Japanese isnt that good....

[Nanbanjin]

and for those of us whose Japanese isnt that good....
What happened to all the study Lex?
I was just bullshitting on about after one session back at kendo kendo's all I think about again. And after all that I wagged training last night in favour of six hours of pool.
Hope you are well!

[Infinity]

hey i am still studying. i only know about 10 kanji though and i still cant hold much of a converstaion. which is why i am still studying...
i am well. so is the baby.
we miss you mate

[Nanbanjin]

hey i am still studying. i only know about 10 kanji though and i still cant hold much of a converstaion. which is why i am still studying...
i am well. so is the baby.
we miss you mate
Did I say congratulations on the bub? Congratulations anyway!

I saw the weirdest thing yesterday. When I was walking through the local mall to where I play pool and there was this girl up ahead with the arse missing out of her skirt. I'd heard about those skirts that are printed to look like that, and not wanting to be deceived I thought I should take a closer look. When I got closer I could actually see her butt cheeks. No undies or anything. Then I noticed that there were three or four seedy looking old blokes taking photos and filming and realised it must have been the intro to some kind of porno. When she turned around her sweater had been cut so her pert nipples were waving in the chilly wind.
It was at that point that I realised I was probably on camera. I didn't hang around long enough to get a geek at her crotch area, but I think it had been tailored a bit too.
It was weird because it was in the afternoon in a really busy period and people were just walking by as if nothing as happening. Anyway, you might see me the next time you make an xxx rated download from the asian fetish corner of the WWW.

[Infinity]

you really are having a good time over there, arent you?

[Lloromannic]

Did I say congratulations on the bub? Congratulations anyway!

I saw the weirdest thing yesterday. When I was walking through the local mall to where I play pool and there was this girl up ahead with the arse missing out of her skirt. I'd heard about those skirts that are printed to look like that, and not wanting to be deceived I thought I should take a closer look. When I got closer I could actually see her butt cheeks. No undies or anything. Then I noticed that there were three or four seedy looking old blokes taking photos and filming and realised it must have been the intro to some kind of porno. When she turned around her sweater had been cut so her pert nipples were waving in the chilly wind.
It was at that point that I realised I was probably on camera. I didn't hang around long enough to get a geek at her crotch area, but I think it had been tailored a bit too.
It was weird because it was in the afternoon in a really busy period and people were just walking by as if nothing as happening. Anyway, you might see me the next time you make an xxx rated download from the asian fetish corner of the WWW.

You sound like an excited child with a credit card in a candy shop, on crack. Me on the other hand, just got his hair cut for that dreadful mandatory military service. I won't cut it again until NIdan, hopefully in November, if not then March.

[Paikea]

You sound like an excited child with a credit card in a candy shop, on crack. Me on the other hand, just got his hair cut for that dreadful mandatory military service. I won't cut it again until NIdan, hopefully in November, if not then March.I look forward to a picture or three from basic training. Do you get to choose what service?

[Lloromannic]

I look forward to a picture or three from basic training. Do you get to choose what service?

No, it's some kind of bingo where there are blue, white and black balls. White means army/airforce (i'm not sure we have one), blue means navy and black means nothing unless there is war. There is also the option of a special "colour shifting" ball for US $350 but I'd rather have an ipod.

[Paikea]

No, it's some kind of bingo where there are blue, white and black balls. White means army/airforce (i'm not sure we have one), blue means navy and black means nothing unless there is war. There is also the option of a special "colour shifting" ball for US $350 but I'd rather have an ipod.I've erm..."met" the Army and been out for a wonderfully civilized day on one of the Marina-Armada's WWII destroyers. Pray for the blue ball...their HQ in Ensenada is right down the street from Hussong's.

Oh and you do have an Air Force, but I never had the pleasure of meeting any of them.

[Lloromannic]

I've erm..."met" the Army and been out for a wonderfully civilized day on one of the Marina-Armada's WWII destroyers. Pray for the blue ball...their HQ in Ensenada is right down the street from Hussong's.

Oh and you do have an Air Force, but I never had the pleasure of meeting any of them.



Regardless of the service I'm not going out of Mexico City, it's usually something along the lines of "marching up and down the square" or social service programs.

[Nanbanjin]

War, war, war... That's all you guys think about!

[Lloromannic]

War, war, war... That's all you guys think about!

Girls, pool, booze, that's all you think about!!!

You are my hero.

[Paikea]

War, war, war... That's all you guys think about!Nonono...WAR IS BAD, war is ugly, war is to be avoided at all cost.

Riding around on any kind of big machine (land, water or air), however, is fun. Being forced to live in new surroundings with people you'd otherwise never meet can be fun - it's certainly self-improving. If I was a young lad such as our Sr. Porras here, I'd look at it as less of a burden and more of an opportunity to do interesting things.

Besides, Emilio - girls like the uniform.

[Ignatz]

Riding around on any kind of big machine (land, water or air), however, is fun. Being forced to live in new surroundings with people you'd otherwise never meet can be fun - it's certainly self-improving. If I was a young lad such as our Sr. Porras here, I'd look at it as less of a burden and more of an opportunity to do interesting things.


There is a great deal to be said for military service. The discipline, the hard training, the comradship are rewarding. They certainly have nice toys to play with and I've always said, any idiot can build a bridge, it takes real talent to blow one up.
Unfortunately there are those with what we used to call "paper asses" that screw up everything. Gung-ho buttheads. Stay away from them, they get you hurt. The ones who fight for god or country are scary, if you have to fight, it is for your buddies who are stuck in the same shithole as you.

And the girls do like a nice uniform.

[Nanbanjin]

Girls, pool, booze, that's all you think about!!!

You are my hero.
No pool last night, but kendo, hot-girl-in-kendo-uniform type girl and plenty of booze. Somehow I stuffed things up and ended up having a seventh dan sensei sleeping on my spare futon - snoring like a chainsaw too - and not the hot girl. Damn!

[Martino]

No pool last night, but kendo, hot-girl-in-kendo-uniform type girl and plenty of booze. Somehow I stuffed things up and ended up having a seventh dan sensei sleeping on my spare futon - snoring like a chainsaw too - and not the hot girl. Damn!


This is what happens when you respond to surveys that you like Kendo better than sex....

[Infinity]

This is what happens when you respond to surveys that you like Kendo better than sex....

something like karma?
poor nanbanjin.

[Nanbanjin]

something like karma?
poor nanbanjin.


Is that something like "Hakarma"?

For the record I have never claimed or replied to any survey claiming that kendo is better at sex. I will however concede that it's cheaper and more easily accessible, and there are obvious similarities like the sweat and smell.

[Lloromannic]

Nonono...WAR IS BAD, war is ugly, war is to be avoided at all cost.

Riding around on any kind of big machine (land, water or air), however, is fun. Being forced to live in new surroundings with people you'd otherwise never meet can be fun - it's certainly self-improving. If I was a young lad such as our Sr. Porras here, I'd look at it as less of a burden and more of an opportunity to do interesting things.

Besides, Emilio - girls like the uniform.

I dislike trains, airplanes, trucks, tanks cars, especially loud, fast cars. Boats are OK, I love Sailing Ships though, my father lived for two years in this ship (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuauht%C3%A9moc_%28ship%29)as the boat psychologist (both mum and dad were lieutenants in the navy)
I'd love to do interesting things but if I get sadded with military duty it will most likely be menial tasks and even in the case I get a decent Social Service I already do three of them.

As for the uniform, no arguing that girls like a nice spiffy uniform but that's usually the Dress one and not the dreaded olive rags and I've already got two naval officer dresses from my dad (pants are big but the jackets fit just fine) and I've not noticed a sudden influx of chicks.

[Paikea]

I dislike trains, airplanes, trucks, tanks, cars, especially loud, fast cars.

That's just sick.


Boats are OK, I love Sailing Ships though, my father lived for two years in this ship (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuauht%C3%A9moc_%28ship%29)as the boat psychologist (both mum and dad were lieutenants in the navy)

Tell your father I am inconsolably jealous. There's absolutely, positively nothing better than sailing aboard something like that.

[Lloromannic]

That's just sick.


Tell your father I am inconsolably jealous. There's absolutely, positively nothing better than sailing aboard something like that.

Well, for me there is, and I quote my favorite band "Belle & Sebastian" on it:

"All I need is somewhere I feel the grass beneath my feet
A walk on sand, a fire I can warm my hands
My joy will be complete"
Asleep on a sunbeam

Just add more girls, kendo and computers and it's Utopia.


And now in order to prevent this from being a meaningless post I'll point you to the Belle & Sebastian mechandise catalogue (http://www.belleandsebastian.com/catpage1.php). I'm sure you'll love it.

[Nanbanjin]

Hey guys, this is the Moving to Japan thread and it's mine! And my daddy once saved five crackheads from a burnin' building, by himself, so there!!!

[Lloromannic]

Hey guys, this is the Moving to Japan thread and it's mine! And my daddy once saved five crackheads from a burnin' building, by himself, so there!!!


So how's your Kendo going?
And couldn't your father save orphans or puppies or something worthwhile? ;)

[Nanbanjin]

If you'd ever watched Rush Hour you would have come back with: "My daddy once caught a bullet with his bare hand."

Kendo here is kick arse. My new RBSO titanium mengane men fits like a glove and I feel faster and stronger just by wearing it. Been doing ab-work and I'm starting to get a six pack. People at trainging are laughing at me less and smiling at me more so I reckon I must be getting better.

[Infinity]

If you'd ever watched Rush Hour you would have come back with: "My daddy once caught a bullet with his bare hand."

Kendo here is kick arse. My new RBSO titanium mengane men fits like a glove and I feel faster and stronger just by wearing it. Been doing ab-work and I'm starting to get a six pack. People at trainging are laughing at me less and smiling at me more so I reckon I must be getting better.

we are so proud of you.

[Paikea]

Hey guys, this is the Moving to Japan thread and it's mine! And my daddy once saved five crackheads from a burnin' building, by himself, so there!!!We noticed a loss of signal right about post #109.

[Nanbanjin]

We noticed a loss of signal right about post #109.
Hey, did I say the thread had to have anything about kendo? As long as it's about me and Japan I'm happy. Me, me, me, me, me!

[Nanbanjin]

we are so proud of you.
Yeah, I'm pretty proud of the six pack too, especially when you consider all the beer I've been drinking lately.

Just kidding, always love the support Lex and miss you guys immensely.

Peter

[Lloromannic]

If you'd ever watched Rush Hour you would have come back with: "My daddy once caught a bullet with his bare hand."

Kendo here is kick arse. My new RBSO titanium mengane men fits like a glove and I feel faster and stronger just by wearing it. Been doing ab-work and I'm starting to get a six pack. People at trainging are laughing at me less and smiling at me more so I reckon I must be getting better.


Well, I'll direct you to this thread (http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9355) where you can wow all the ladies with your manliness.
And about Japan: Is it true that ther is melon fanta?

[Nanbanjin]

Well, I'll direct you to this thread (http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9355) where you can wow all the ladies with your manliness.
And about Japan: Is it true that ther is melon fanta?
Strange thing is that people don't drink all that much fizzy drink over here - god I'd love a passiona.
Yes, I'm pretty sure I've seen melon fanta. They have cherry kit-kats here too at the moment.

[nodachi]

Yes there is melon fanta!!! I don't know why I put exclamation points though, the first few sips are tasty and different. The next few to half a glass is interesting. And then from there on I just started to get grossed out. It's great in small quantities, but oh boy I get sick of it real quick!

That's why I love the drink viking!!!! (Viking is another word they use here for buffet. Sometimes you have lunch vikings, other times you have a normal entree but the restaurant has a drink viking. Love 'em!)

First time I heard the word lunch viking I imagined sticking my fork and mighty steak knife into a big slab of meat on my plate with a big horned hat as a garnish. :)

[inori]

You find me a place where I can get Dr Pepper consistently and I'll be happy. :)

[Nanbanjin]

Trained again tonight. Was the first one to the dojo so I got poll position with Ozawa-sensei for jigeiko. Hell, what am I supposed to say - it was a bloody kendo session. Very cold. Will snow tonight - heaps of steam rising when everyone was taking their men off.

Nice girl called Mandy from UNSW kendo club was at training and we stopped in for Okonomiyaki before I put her on the train at Nakano.
Plans I had scheduled for Wednesday have been pushed forward to tomorrow night so will be able to train again then.

[Infinity]

Trained again tonight. Was the first one to the dojo so I got poll position with Ozawa-sensei for jigeiko. Hell, what am I supposed to say - it was a bloody kendo session. Very cold. Will snow tonight - heaps of steam rising when everyone was taking their men off.

Nice girl called Mandy from UNSW kendo club was at training and we stopped in for Okonomiyaki before I put her on the train at Nakano.
Plans I had scheduled for Wednesday have been pushed forward to tomorrow night so will be able to train again then.

i wish i could have some photos. i would love to paint the image of the guys at the end of training with steam rising from their bods.
i am really missing training. my hakama and gi no longer fit and i didnt think it would be this hard to stop.
it is great to hear about your training. i feel like i can train in Japan vicariously.

[Nanbanjin]

i wish i could have some photos. i would love to paint the image of the guys at the end of training with steam rising from their bods.
i am really missing training. my hakama and gi no longer fit and i didnt think it would be this hard to stop.
it is great to hear about your training. i feel like i can train in Japan vicariously.
Nothing like steam rising off rippling muscle to get the creative juices flowing.
Training with Ozawa-sensei was fully intense. I feel like a surfer and each instructor is like a different break, and I'm always looking for the perfect ride.

[Lloromannic]

Nothing like steam rising off rippling muscle to get the creative juices flowing.
Training with Ozawa-sensei was fully intense. I feel like a surfer and each instructor is like a different break, and I'm always looking for the perfect ride.

Wow, if your muscles are half as big as your ego you must be amazing. Too bad your hair can't keep up.

[Nanbanjin]

Wow, if your muscles are half as big as your ego you must be amazing. Too bad your hair can't keep up.
Hahaha.
Since coming to Japan I've grown an afro, bro. Got it installed when I got my ear fixed.

[Lloromannic]

Hahaha.
Since coming to Japan I've grown an afro, bro. Got it installed when I got my ear fixed.

Ah, you mean like this. (http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/2616/upyours6vkthpng2fm.jpg)

[Nanbanjin]

Ah, you mean like this. (http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/2616/upyours6vkthpng2fm.jpg)

hahaha!!!
goddammned stalker! While your at it give me a six pack for godsake.

[Nanbanjin]

Training was great today. I was a bit tired, but I had a good bash with Ryo Ozawa (cf. the We Hate Gibbo thread). Had to rush off after training for a couple of hours of pool with a guy from work.

[ben]

Training was great today. I was a bit tired, but I had a good bash with Ryo Ozawa (cf. the We Hate Gibbo thread). Had to rush off after training for a couple of hours of pool with a guy from work.

Couple of hours of POOL? What's happening to the koroshi/work ethic in Japan? You sound like you're leading the bloody ryugakusei lifestyle. Get back to work!

b :D

[Nanbanjin]

Couple of hours of POOL? What's happening to the koroshi/work ethic in Japan? You sound like you're leading the bloody ryugakusei lifestyle. Get back to work!

b :D
Couple of hours of pool WITH A GUY FROM WORK.
Home at 1am to do another couple of hours OF WORK (well, and a little websurfing).
Bed at 3am, up at 8:30, so I got plenty of sleep, relatively speaking. The night before I only got two hours.
Pool here is like boot camp anyway. The 'master' at pool hall looks like something straight out of WWII - short, stocky, head shaved completely bald. It's all very serious.

[Nanbanjin]

I'll be training with the Ichinikai crowd tomorrow at Hikarigaoka.
Anyone living in Tokyo interested in training with these guys, PM me or check out the Ichinikai website. Sorry about the late notice for tomorrows training, but I only decided to go earlier today when I found out the my regular Saturday training will be cancelled. Training at Kobukan starts in an hour. Betta start getting ready.