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I took a spill a few weeks ago and have been out of commission, but went to the dojo last Saturday to spectate practice. My dojo is a bit small, it being built in the middle of a tight residential neighborhood in Tokyo. The changing space (I don't say changeroom because it's really more of a hallway - you have to spread up against the wall like you're getting arrested if anyone wants to get by) is upstairs. The floor and surrounding area becomes ...
Updated 7th March 2011 at 09:18 PM by tyler
Off to a half-decent start! My first keiko of the year was actually pretty terrible. It had been about 2 weeks since I practiced, which is neither here nor there, but for whatever reason things just weren't working in unison. Instead of trying to relax, I tried to make it come together with force, tired myself out, and generally had a bunk practice. That was Saturday. On Monday morning, through the bright idea of a dojo mate and the kindness of one of our sensei, I had a chance to ...
Updated 18th January 2011 at 02:32 PM by tyler
The holidays have been a bit too restful. Cabin fever isn't really acceptable in the absence of sub-zero temperatures, yet I managed to catch it over the past few days. Japanese variety TV at new years is, as an aesthetic experience, probably akin to being stung by a scorpion. You go somewhat numb and the intervention of others is required in order to be roused. Time turns fluid and slips by as a boy band is grilled over 3 hours of viewing. They're made to improvise skits, weigh in on various and ...
Updated 28th January 2011 at 12:24 PM by tyler
Today while attempting to get back into the swing of things in practice, I was struck simultaneously by both a shinai and an idea. Call signs. I mean, we already look like bloody pilots. Demented pilots, albeit, but pilots none the less. We strap cumbersome equipment on and carry our helmets by our sides as we saunter off to do battle. The fact that the battle doesn’t happen to be airborne is a peripheral detail. Imagine it though. Discreet, tastefully stitched into ...
Updated 18th January 2011 at 07:58 PM by tyler
Don't worry if you can't nolly kick-flip or nose-manual all the way to the supermarket ( http://www.metacafe.com/watch/311783...t_nose_manual/ ) - a simple forward push on a skateboard is enough to show you the difference between leaving your back foot behind & bringing it with you, so to speak. Try this: stand on the deck with your front (right) foot pointed straight forward, as it would be in kamae. With your back (left) foot on the ground, also pointed forward, push ...
Updated 18th January 2011 at 07:56 PM by tyler
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