On Thursday 17th April 2008 the Ryoshin Karate Association set off to Japan for another fantastic trip to the land of the rising sun. This was the second time that I had gone in 5 years so I was looking forward to seeing one or two people that had made me so welcome before also we were there to take our grading so a little bit of nerves were creeping in.
The group consisted of Sensei’s Rob Curtis/ Stan Klepta /Trevor Boyd/ Andy Major all of whom (Excluding Rob ) were taking 3rd 4th and 5th dan level, also George Curtis /Matthew De marzo/ Annie Finnegan /Danny Miles /Dave Sinclair , who were also taking their 2nd and 3rd dan level grades. We arrived at Narita airport at 09.00 Friday and were a bit tired after the 12 hour flight where we met Sensei Sugimoto who accompanied us to our hotel the Asia Kaiken in the middle of Tokyo (the same hotel we stayed at in 2003 ). Tokyo is a city of contrasts where you have masses of people all rushing around but in a very polite manner with nobody getting upset because of the crowds or the lack of space everyone seeming to allow just enough space for each other without barging into one another. The public transport system is amazing for the fact that it starts and stops exactly on time, not one delay and you can actually understand all the announcements on the underground ( which is just as well ) because all the signs are in Japanese.
Sensei’s Rob and Stan have been going there for a number of years now and could work out where we were going and which trains to catch so we were ok in that department, only once or twice did we make a mistake but we always made training. Friday night we sampled the Tokyo nightlife which goes on all night with plenty of bars and restaurants to keep you happy again with masses of people (a lot of westerners) especially Americans so you could chat with and meet new friends. Rob and Stan took us to a few bars that were run by their old mates from the past and we were well looked after which was nice then we went and had some food which when I first went to Japan I didn't really take to (I do love my food) but this time I tried anything and everything and got to quite enjoy it, as always there were McDonalds K.F.C. and other fast food restaurants if you wanted that but why bother?
After the first few nights we went to a small competition that we had been invited to which was quite interesting, the refereeing took a lot to be desired but Stan Klepta took 2nd place with Danny Miles taking 3rd place which was brilliant but we all new it would be unbearable as they kept on and on about it (only joking) so that ended on a high.
Over the next 10 days we trained every morning working towards our grading then in the evenings with various Japanese Sensei’s and before long the day arrived. Its had been 8years since I last took my 4th Dan and I must admit I was very nervous but Rob had been making us perform our Kata in front of everyone at the Japanese classes and this did help a lot as I got feedback from him and all of the others so when it came to doing it at the grading it just seemed to flow and before I knew it was over, we had to wait until later on to find out if we had passed or not. After the grading we all went out for a meal together with the Japanese students which gave me a chance to try out the little bit of Japanese that I had learnt which caused a few laughs but good fun was had by everyone during the meal Sensei Seito announced that we had all passed which topped off the day nicely.
The next day we went to train with Sensei Sugimoto, this was one of the days that we made a mistake with the transport and we arrived a little bit late so it was pads on and lets have a bash up, this was just what we all needed we were tired from training tired from the grading ( and the nights out ) and generally worn out but this is when you find out whos got what left in the tank and everyone gave a good account of themselves. After the class we were presented with our grading certificates by Sensei’s Sugimoto and Ueda and then we went off to a traditional Japanese bath house which was fantastic it really helped to relieve all our aches and pains then we went out for another meal together before heading back to the hotel.
We went to many different clubs and trained with many great instructors and had a brilliant time so here are a few pictures from our trip I would like to thank Sensei Rob Curtis for organising the trip I had such a good time also Dave Sinclair for helping me with my Kata.
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