"Mono" means thing, and "uchi" means to hit. So monouchi is literally "thing hitter" or "the part you use to hit/cut with."
Sanno-sensei has an amazing ability to break things down and state the obvious, or at least explain what should be obvious but, until he mentions it, it didn't really occur to me. Obvious statement of the day: don't think about cutting with the very tip of the sword, think about cutting with the monouchi.
That makes you more aware of the right hand grip, how far out and down the sword body is moving, where the point of impact is and where the enemy is standing.
In just a couple of hours, I felt my cuts getting bigger and more relaxed, with less arm force and more natural extension.
Now if I could only learn to draw without twisting my body so much...
momo's new house
Hiroko went to Momo's new house. Kensuke came to play, too, but spent most of the time drooling.
to cut or not to cut
Thought I'd be all alone in Honbu tonight, as Naganuma-sensei is still out with his leg injury, but Ando-sensei showed up looking for Niina-gosoke and ended up watching me practice for an hour or so.
He corrected several of my false assumptions, including:
* The first cut of shin doesn't miss, but it also doesn't kill the enemy. From the force of the rising cut, he is knocked back and up. Attempting to get up and retreat, he is finished with a closing-in cut from above.
* The cut to the leg at the start of inchuyo also connects, though it doesn't completely sever the leg. If it did, the enemy, stepping in and cutting down, would continue to fall forward. But instead he retracts his wounded leg, injured but attempting to flee, and again he is finished with a closing-in cut from above.
* The first cut of ren has to move with the body. So first draw more up than out, tighten up the right pinky as soon as possible to bring the sword tip up, and do NOT move the right hand back. Leave it in space where it is, then once the body moves forward to come underneath it, move the hand with the body to thump the blade into his head.
* To cut immediately after the feint in ryoguruma, the sword most be basically drawn, so that the simple act of turning the hips to the right and drawing out brings the sword into the enemy's temple. Of course, the left foot must stay anchored where it is for that and the following cut as well. And don't lead with the right hand, letting the business end of the sword lag behind; move the whole sword with the right side of the body as it steps across to finish the left enemy in one stroke.
After a bit, Niina-gosoke showed up and clarified some details on the newly introduced Basic #3:
Start with the right foot and immediately draw out and stop the enemy's draw. The body turns to open up for the draw, but don't stay in hanmi, bring the left hip back in a bit. The the left foot comes up to even with the right as the left hand grips and the sword tips rises to solar plexus height. Stepping forward with the right foot drive the sword straight and flat into the enemy's solar plexus, blade turned 90 degrees so that the right hand is on top. Shuffle the left foot up a bit as the blade retracts, keeping the sword tip at solar plexus height. Slowly follow the falling opponent with the sword tip, them chiburi and noto.
The first cut is katsujin-ken; non-killing sword. You merely stop the enemy's attack, giving him a chance to rethink and live another day. But obviously he doesn't, and as he slides back to get clearance to draw, he is skewered like so much dead meat.
He corrected several of my false assumptions, including:
* The first cut of shin doesn't miss, but it also doesn't kill the enemy. From the force of the rising cut, he is knocked back and up. Attempting to get up and retreat, he is finished with a closing-in cut from above.
* The cut to the leg at the start of inchuyo also connects, though it doesn't completely sever the leg. If it did, the enemy, stepping in and cutting down, would continue to fall forward. But instead he retracts his wounded leg, injured but attempting to flee, and again he is finished with a closing-in cut from above.
* The first cut of ren has to move with the body. So first draw more up than out, tighten up the right pinky as soon as possible to bring the sword tip up, and do NOT move the right hand back. Leave it in space where it is, then once the body moves forward to come underneath it, move the hand with the body to thump the blade into his head.
* To cut immediately after the feint in ryoguruma, the sword most be basically drawn, so that the simple act of turning the hips to the right and drawing out brings the sword into the enemy's temple. Of course, the left foot must stay anchored where it is for that and the following cut as well. And don't lead with the right hand, letting the business end of the sword lag behind; move the whole sword with the right side of the body as it steps across to finish the left enemy in one stroke.
After a bit, Niina-gosoke showed up and clarified some details on the newly introduced Basic #3:
Start with the right foot and immediately draw out and stop the enemy's draw. The body turns to open up for the draw, but don't stay in hanmi, bring the left hip back in a bit. The the left foot comes up to even with the right as the left hand grips and the sword tips rises to solar plexus height. Stepping forward with the right foot drive the sword straight and flat into the enemy's solar plexus, blade turned 90 degrees so that the right hand is on top. Shuffle the left foot up a bit as the blade retracts, keeping the sword tip at solar plexus height. Slowly follow the falling opponent with the sword tip, them chiburi and noto.
The first cut is katsujin-ken; non-killing sword. You merely stop the enemy's attack, giving him a chance to rethink and live another day. But obviously he doesn't, and as he slides back to get clearance to draw, he is skewered like so much dead meat.
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That's why Google Is My Hero.
yamagata day 2
Managed to get a couple of hours sleep, though I think the party last night raged until about 3 or 4 in the morning.
Didn't get up in time for the purification ceremony down the hall, but the thumping taiko drum woke me up.
Gray and drizzly, and the mountains were wrapped in mist as we drove up to Hagurosan.
Once again we entered the main shrine and did a short purification ceremony, and then Niina-gosoke did a small demo in the innner main hall as an offering to the shrine.
Once again we went next door and practiced for a couple of hours. It was pretty cool, actually, with the sound of the rain and all the doors open to forest and shrine grounds.
Exhausted, we got back on the bus about noon, drove into town for lunch, and then started back to Tokyo.
Traffic was light and we made it to Tokyo Station just at 9:30pm.
Didn't get up in time for the purification ceremony down the hall, but the thumping taiko drum woke me up.
Gray and drizzly, and the mountains were wrapped in mist as we drove up to Hagurosan.
Once again we entered the main shrine and did a short purification ceremony, and then Niina-gosoke did a small demo in the innner main hall as an offering to the shrine.
Once again we went next door and practiced for a couple of hours. It was pretty cool, actually, with the sound of the rain and all the doors open to forest and shrine grounds.
Exhausted, we got back on the bus about noon, drove into town for lunch, and then started back to Tokyo.
Traffic was light and we made it to Tokyo Station just at 9:30pm.
yamagata
Got on the bus at Tokyo Station and left right on time: 11pm. Stopping every 2 hours, we got to Yamagata Prefecture at 6 in the morning. Breakfast at a highway rest stop, then a visit to Iai Shrine; dedicated to the Father Of Iai, Hayashizaki Sensei.
Path leading back to the shrine
Niina-gosoke checking out the shrine
The photo is of Nakamura Kenzaburo performing Toyama-ryu
Various arts/sensei, including Mugairyu, Ishii Gogetsu, and others that we know and/or have trained with
Back on the bus we wound our way through the still-snowy mountains and got to Miyashita-bo by 11 am. Miyashita-san was born and raised here, and she's the only one in her family to leave Yamagata. We had a huge lunch and then rode the bus up to Hagurosan, a stunning temple at the top of the mountain built in 593 (yes, that's over 1400 years ago.)
The priests did a purification ceremony for us and then we practiced for a couple of hours in the hall next to the temple.
After practice, we walked down the 2466 hand-laid stone steps to the bottom of the mountain, walked back to Yamashita-bo, hit the bath, and had dinner.
The 300 year-old Japanese cedar are as dangerous as they are majestic. My nose hasn't stopped running, my whole head is stuffed up, I haven't slept in over a day, I walked down 2466 hand-laid stone steps through the mountains, and my allergies are not having fun.
Plus, our room happens to be right next door to the party room where everyone else will be drinking the night away.
Path leading back to the shrine
Niina-gosoke checking out the shrine
The photo is of Nakamura Kenzaburo performing Toyama-ryu
Various arts/sensei, including Mugairyu, Ishii Gogetsu, and others that we know and/or have trained with
Back on the bus we wound our way through the still-snowy mountains and got to Miyashita-bo by 11 am. Miyashita-san was born and raised here, and she's the only one in her family to leave Yamagata. We had a huge lunch and then rode the bus up to Hagurosan, a stunning temple at the top of the mountain built in 593 (yes, that's over 1400 years ago.)
The priests did a purification ceremony for us and then we practiced for a couple of hours in the hall next to the temple.
After practice, we walked down the 2466 hand-laid stone steps to the bottom of the mountain, walked back to Yamashita-bo, hit the bath, and had dinner.
The 300 year-old Japanese cedar are as dangerous as they are majestic. My nose hasn't stopped running, my whole head is stuffed up, I haven't slept in over a day, I walked down 2466 hand-laid stone steps through the mountains, and my allergies are not having fun.
Plus, our room happens to be right next door to the party room where everyone else will be drinking the night away.
toyoda
Niina-gosoke took us to Hashimoto-san's restaurant Toyoda, just down the street from Honbu Dojo.
The building a really cool and the food was awesome: traditional multi-course meal in a beautiful room w/a traditional balcony garden. Couldn't believe we were in the middle of 21st century Nihonbashi.
The building a really cool and the food was awesome: traditional multi-course meal in a beautiful room w/a traditional balcony garden. Couldn't believe we were in the middle of 21st century Nihonbashi.
tokyo journal
With Yuki's help I've pulled the original Tokyo Journal website out of archive and given it new life.
Still not sure how much of the original I should fix; part of the charm is how old-school it is. Remember: this was end of 1994/beginning of 1995. Pre-Internet bubble, pre-internet everything just about. And in Tokyo no less.
Also, the last two months, April and May, were done under particulary stressful circumstances.
Check it out in original 640x480
Still not sure how much of the original I should fix; part of the charm is how old-school it is. Remember: this was end of 1994/beginning of 1995. Pre-Internet bubble, pre-internet everything just about. And in Tokyo no less.
Also, the last two months, April and May, were done under particulary stressful circumstances.
Check it out in original 640x480
politics
So what is it with people getting so concerned over a piece of paper and a title? Even as they get older, all they seem to care about more and more is status, as determined by some rank or certification or pile of money.
Very strange to me, but then it seems like it's been that way for as long as people have come together and given each other fancy titles.
Well all the titles in the world won't stop your enemy's sword from taking your head off, so enjoy your certificates and scrolls and titles.
Very strange to me, but then it seems like it's been that way for as long as people have come together and given each other fancy titles.
Well all the titles in the world won't stop your enemy's sword from taking your head off, so enjoy your certificates and scrolls and titles.
work
For the first time in what seems like a very long time, I did not go to practice tonight. Naganuma-sensei has some kind of gnarly foot infection or something, and his whole leg is swollen up.
So instead of going to practice, I spent 12 hours in the office working. Used to be I would do that 4-6 days a week, 3 weeks a month. And then...I got over it.
Don't get me wrong: my job is cool (and my dept head reads my blog -- hi hammer!) and the people I work with are cool and the work I do now is cool. But work is work; it pays the bills. If I won the lottery tomorrow, I certainly wouldn't still work every day to keep busy. I'd build a really big dojo and invite everyone over for training, all day, every day. And probably play more video games, too.
So instead of going to practice, I spent 12 hours in the office working. Used to be I would do that 4-6 days a week, 3 weeks a month. And then...I got over it.
Don't get me wrong: my job is cool (and my dept head reads my blog -- hi hammer!) and the people I work with are cool and the work I do now is cool. But work is work; it pays the bills. If I won the lottery tomorrow, I certainly wouldn't still work every day to keep busy. I'd build a really big dojo and invite everyone over for training, all day, every day. And probably play more video games, too.
comments
You may now comment at your leisure. Readers are reminded, however, of two things:
1) This blog's sole purpose is to transmit to the masses the ramblings of the author. Your comments are at best a minor distraction. (You got something to say, make your own damn blog.)
2) The author's mother is a frequent reader of this blog. So keep it in yer pants, tough guy.
1) This blog's sole purpose is to transmit to the masses the ramblings of the author. Your comments are at best a minor distraction. (You got something to say, make your own damn blog.)
2) The author's mother is a frequent reader of this blog. So keep it in yer pants, tough guy.
innocence
Drab and rainy day, but regardless Hiroko and I spent the afternoon checking out the area around Shinagawa Station. They have a new New York theme just on the other (Bullet Train) side of the station; NY-style deli and whatnot. It's all fairly cheesey, not very NY at all, and for some reason the water fountains are named Columbus Circle, etc. Only in Japan.
We goofed off in the bowling alley arcade, had some lunch at TGIF's, and then hit the IMAX theatre to see Innocence. I didn't really get it, but the animation was stunning.
We goofed off in the bowling alley arcade, had some lunch at TGIF's, and then hit the IMAX theatre to see Innocence. I didn't really get it, but the animation was stunning.
all thumbs
Cutting practice at Akabane. Dragged Komatsu-chan down to practice and she did really well for her first time cutting. Orita-san cut her thumb when warming up, and I did pretty well considering I'm still jet-lagging. Can't wait to move so that I can cut in my own basement whenever I want.
more tokyo journal photos
Put up a few more photos from dinner with the old TJ crew. I still need to dig all the old TJ website archives off of ZipDisk and put them up on the web somehwere -- we were doing the coolest stuff back in 1995!
masamune sword shop
Drove up to Redlands to Mike Christianson's shop and met Ted Tenold and Keith Larman. Niina-gosoke worked with Ted to draw and spec out the long and short swords that he'll have Howard Clark forge for him. I bought that killer wakizashi that Ted will polish and mount for me, and Niina-gosoke bought a nice tsuba set for his HC blades. He also bought a set of tsukagashira and menuki that match his Soten-style tsuba on his sword now. So when we go back to Japan he'll switch out the current fittings and send them back to Ted to go on his HC, as they match perfectly to the tsuba he bought at Mike's shop. Tony also bought a book that has Shiokawa-gosoke and Iwameji-sensei on the cover. We've only ever seen the French version of the book; the English version is quite rare. And there was even a random antique box with Niina-gosoke's mon (family crest) on it; a rarely used version of the crossed hawk feathers.
Some may call it luck, but in Japanese we call it en: fate.
Some may call it luck, but in Japanese we call it en: fate.
seminar day four
Hot hot HOT in the dojo today. Must have been at least 100F but that didn't stop us. Niina-gosoke ran through the first seven tanjo kata that we did yesterday, and then we did the last five to finish up the set of twelve. Everyone really enjoyed smacking each other, so that took all morning. Had more In-n-Out for lunch and then we grabbed all the video cameras and gosoke ran through the 12 tanjo kata again really slowly explaining all the different details, footwork, and moves.
Then we started doing jo, with gosoke explaining the difference between the old-school Shindomusoryu and modern seitei kata. We ran through ukan for a few hours and then gosoke finished up the day by showing everyone the twleve basic patterns of jo as explaining and being filmed.
After the seminar we came back to the house, showered, changed, and went out for some Italian. Tony's daughter Madison came with us and was really cute holding Raven, Verdugo's adorable baby daughter.
Back at the house we talked smack and wound down as folks dropped out to drive and/or fly home.
A good seminar was had by all.
Then we started doing jo, with gosoke explaining the difference between the old-school Shindomusoryu and modern seitei kata. We ran through ukan for a few hours and then gosoke finished up the day by showing everyone the twleve basic patterns of jo as explaining and being filmed.
After the seminar we came back to the house, showered, changed, and went out for some Italian. Tony's daughter Madison came with us and was really cute holding Raven, Verdugo's adorable baby daughter.
Back at the house we talked smack and wound down as folks dropped out to drive and/or fly home.
A good seminar was had by all.
seminar day three: party!
Finished up the day doing wakizashi kodachi and then starting the tanjo kata. Back at the house we had a ripping party for Bill Arno's birthday among other things. William The Clean was tattooing Verdugo in the garage, adding his daughter Raven's name to his back. Big Tony was mixing Margeritas at the bar, and the back yard was jumping with veggies and dip, sandwiches, burgers, and dogs. Yours truly spent a luxorious hour in the living room with Diane cranking all the knots out of my back and legs, and Niina-gosoke enjoyed the spicy buffallo wings and beverages.
We watched the worst video ever, I bought a killer wakizashi from Ted, and then finally went to bed way too late.
We watched the worst video ever, I bought a killer wakizashi from Ted, and then finally went to bed way too late.
seminar day two
Finished up the basic twenty kata and then after lunch had a promotion exam. Everyone was really nervous, but Niina-gosoke had already seen everyone's kata, so he just had fun hearing everyone recite the Japanese Member's Duties and Principles in Japanese.
After practice we all went out to El Ranchitos for some killer Mexican food; Niina-gosoke had a giant steak and I had wonderful chicken fajitas. After dinner we can back to the house and watched the Nami-ryu DVD. Niina-gosoke was...amused. He figured all the kids who are into anime can do Nami-ryu and play samurai and have fun, and that's cool, as long as the don't think they're actually learning anything that real samurai were doing.
After practice we all went out to El Ranchitos for some killer Mexican food; Niina-gosoke had a giant steak and I had wonderful chicken fajitas. After dinner we can back to the house and watched the Nami-ryu DVD. Niina-gosoke was...amused. He figured all the kids who are into anime can do Nami-ryu and play samurai and have fun, and that's cool, as long as the don't think they're actually learning anything that real samurai were doing.
seminar day one
Full house for the first day of the seminar; over twenty people. Broke up into three groups and ran through the first 5 kata before lunch. Niina-gosoke was really impressed with how much everyone has been practicing and we breezed through the first five kata quickly. Got some sandwiches for lunch and then went through the next five kata. Everyone was doing really well and we ended up finishing a bit early, giving folks a chance to get home and change before dinner.
leaving on a jet plane
Got up early to meet Niina-gosoke at Ueno Station to take the Skyliner to Narita Airport. Figured it would be crowded because it's the day before Golden Week. Turned out it was empty. Nobody was in the airport, so we breezed through. Got stopped when we first got off the train because of the swords. Seems we had to get permission (read: lots of paperwork) just to carry the swords through the airport, besides the paperwork from the Ministry of Culture to take the swords out of Japan. So we were plenty early and waited at the gate for a couple of hours, watching the people arrive in fits and starts.
Took off on time, landed a bit early (9.5 hours in flight) and Tony picked us up and took us back to the house.
Had some In-n-out burgers for lunch at the Senpokan Dojo then came back home and took a nap before dinner.
Took off on time, landed a bit early (9.5 hours in flight) and Tony picked us up and took us back to the house.
Had some In-n-out burgers for lunch at the Senpokan Dojo then came back home and took a nap before dinner.
eggs?
By some miracle I managed to wake up early enough to go to Ando-sensei's practice at 10am (ok I got there late but whatever.) He had his video camera and taped me running through some kata. Really no fun to watch ones' self on tape, but it definitely helps to see what I'm doing wrong. Only one other student was there, so we practiced on our own for a couple of hours. Someone showed up to check out class (she ended up signing up) so Ando-sensei was explaining to her what's what. I remembered that we had a cutting target left over, so I cut it up to make it small enough to throw away.
After practice I came home and Hiroko and I had ramen at Doraichi. They gave us an extra hard-boiled egg, so I ate half of it. Then we went to National Azabu for some grocery shopping, picked up Hiroko's boots from the shoe repair place, and had some tea and dessert at the cool tea place.
By the time we got home, I had a small allergic reaction to something. Probably the half-egg; fairly mild, which is why it took so long to show up. Or maybe it was the dessert? It had mascarpone cheese in it, so maybe I'm not just lactose intolerant (I can take Lactaid for that) but also allergic to milk? Very complicated, this whole food allergy thing. I think I'll go get an allergy blood test again as the last one I had was 3 years ago.
When we got home we finished off season one of 24 -- It was Nina! Love it! But come one, how many friggin' times are Kimmy and mom gonna get kidnapped, tied up, and rescued? Anyway, the DVD had an alternative ending where mom doesn't die, but I don't buy it. Nina was ordered to leave no traces to Germany, so mom got popped, end of story. I sure hope they keep Nina around; she'll probably be a really cool character as a baddie. Not sure about Kimmy becoming a CTU agent though. She should go back to wearing low-cut baby t-shirts.
For dinner, Masa came over with her selection of Amway pots and pans and cooked a feast. I'm impressed. Who would have thought the whiny teen-ager who moved in with me just 7 years ago would actually grow up into someone who can cook decent food on her own? She's still got a ways to go to support herself selling Amway stuff alone, but she's really motivated and trying hard.
After practice I came home and Hiroko and I had ramen at Doraichi. They gave us an extra hard-boiled egg, so I ate half of it. Then we went to National Azabu for some grocery shopping, picked up Hiroko's boots from the shoe repair place, and had some tea and dessert at the cool tea place.
By the time we got home, I had a small allergic reaction to something. Probably the half-egg; fairly mild, which is why it took so long to show up. Or maybe it was the dessert? It had mascarpone cheese in it, so maybe I'm not just lactose intolerant (I can take Lactaid for that) but also allergic to milk? Very complicated, this whole food allergy thing. I think I'll go get an allergy blood test again as the last one I had was 3 years ago.
When we got home we finished off season one of 24 -- It was Nina! Love it! But come one, how many friggin' times are Kimmy and mom gonna get kidnapped, tied up, and rescued? Anyway, the DVD had an alternative ending where mom doesn't die, but I don't buy it. Nina was ordered to leave no traces to Germany, so mom got popped, end of story. I sure hope they keep Nina around; she'll probably be a really cool character as a baddie. Not sure about Kimmy becoming a CTU agent though. She should go back to wearing low-cut baby t-shirts.
For dinner, Masa came over with her selection of Amway pots and pans and cooked a feast. I'm impressed. Who would have thought the whiny teen-ager who moved in with me just 7 years ago would actually grow up into someone who can cook decent food on her own? She's still got a ways to go to support herself selling Amway stuff alone, but she's really motivated and trying hard.
tokyo journal
Had a kind of Tokyo Journal reunion. Tony and Sophia, Yuki, Jun the Photographer, and the old editor Gregg Star. We had some Thai food and talked smack for a few hours. Damn, those where the days. I still have all the old TJ websites we made; I gotta pull them off disk and put them up. We did stuff back in 1995 that nobody could even touch, especially in Japan.
And then that bastard Brad Barts (or something like that) came in, bought the magazine, Gregg and all the editorial staff quit, sued, won, and that was the end of it.
Tokyo Journal is still around, a shell of it's former self, but back in the mid '90s it was THE English rag in Tokyo; a great read, a great resource. All those who know it surely miss it.
And then that bastard Brad Barts (or something like that) came in, bought the magazine, Gregg and all the editorial staff quit, sued, won, and that was the end of it.
Tokyo Journal is still around, a shell of it's former self, but back in the mid '90s it was THE English rag in Tokyo; a great read, a great resource. All those who know it surely miss it.
nanba-aruki
Niina-gosoke is still sick and recovering from stressing out over the Honbu Dojo Opening, so Kiyokawa and I went to Honbu Dojo and worked out by ourselves. Ando-sensei came by after work and ended up hanging out giving me help on walking. Yup, I cannot walk. Specifically, I'm trying to use nanba-aruki, where the left and right sides of the body move together, with the left and right hips acting as two separate but joined pivot points. Ando-sensei always says "split your butt." To practice the motion, sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front on you. Put you hands on your thighs, and using only your left and right butt alternatively, move yourself forward.
Now do that standing up, while drawing and cutting with a sword. Seems kind of unnatural, but when it's mastered it's incredibly natural, smooth, and effortless. Needless to say I have much work to do!
Now do that standing up, while drawing and cutting with a sword. Seems kind of unnatural, but when it's mastered it's incredibly natural, smooth, and effortless. Needless to say I have much work to do!
gmail
A full class tonight for Sanno-sensei: five including me, three of whom are named Kosaka (father, daughter, and unrelated female.)
Came home and realized I still hadn't set up my Gmail account. So I did. Feel free to email me. Gmail is blocked from work, so I can only check it when I'm not at work (duh.)
Looks like it's all in UTF-8, but Japanese doesn't seem to work. Bummer.
Came home and realized I still hadn't set up my Gmail account. So I did. Feel free to email me. Gmail is blocked from work, so I can only check it when I'm not at work (duh.)
Looks like it's all in UTF-8, but Japanese doesn't seem to work. Bummer.
appleseed soundtrack
Gotta love Amazon.co.jp! Got the Appleseed Soundtrack and, as expected, it thumps mightily.
tanaka-sensei
Got to Honbu early in an attempt to set-up the PC, but wasn't having much luck without the appropriate drivers. Of course the drivers from the Compaq homepage are over 5 megs -- how the hell am I supposed to put those on a floppy? So I guess I'll have to download them at home, burn a CD, and install from that. Brilliant idea, putting the ethernet adapter drivers online for easy download. That's like "call us if you have problems with your phone."
So Tanaka-sensei showed up about 7:15 and it was just the two of us. We worked through a few kata, nitpicking details that have turned into bad habits I'm having a hard time fixing, especially keeping my upper body upright (not leading with the shoulders) and keeping my grip steady. Tanaka-sensei made a really good, albeit scary, point: he said that as you progress farther and farther, you get taught less and less, and therefore have to be able to see your own mistakes and correct yourself, or you'll stop progressing. I think that's definitely my biggest problem: I know I'm not perfect, but I'm not really sure exactly what it is I'm doing wrong, or even worse how to fix it even if I do know what's wrong. Sometimes just being told the simplest things, like use both hands in a more balanced way, is all I need to make improvement. But figuring that out on my own is a whole nother issue, and I'm just no good at it. I guess I should spend more time practicing in front of the mirror.
So Tanaka-sensei showed up about 7:15 and it was just the two of us. We worked through a few kata, nitpicking details that have turned into bad habits I'm having a hard time fixing, especially keeping my upper body upright (not leading with the shoulders) and keeping my grip steady. Tanaka-sensei made a really good, albeit scary, point: he said that as you progress farther and farther, you get taught less and less, and therefore have to be able to see your own mistakes and correct yourself, or you'll stop progressing. I think that's definitely my biggest problem: I know I'm not perfect, but I'm not really sure exactly what it is I'm doing wrong, or even worse how to fix it even if I do know what's wrong. Sometimes just being told the simplest things, like use both hands in a more balanced way, is all I need to make improvement. But figuring that out on my own is a whole nother issue, and I'm just no good at it. I guess I should spend more time practicing in front of the mirror.
taisabaki
Practice with Naganuma-sensei. Haven't had him teach me in forever. His big theme is taisabaki: body mechanics. Specifically; moving from the hips, keeping one central balance point and moving the body as one, not using arm strength, staying upright and balanced, minimizing swing and tilt.
Needless to say, he moves the way he does because up until he was 12 he wore geta not shoes, and he practiced old-school karate since he was 17.
We trained one-on-one for the first hour, and then Sano-sensei joined in so the three of us worked through various basics, Naganuma-sensei giving us pointers and corrections throughout.
His basic comment was: "You've gotten considerably worse since I last taught you a couple years ago."
To which I replied: "Cause and effect."
So hopefully he'll be able to teach on Tuesdays regularly, and I will be able to attend regularly.
Needless to say, he moves the way he does because up until he was 12 he wore geta not shoes, and he practiced old-school karate since he was 17.
We trained one-on-one for the first hour, and then Sano-sensei joined in so the three of us worked through various basics, Naganuma-sensei giving us pointers and corrections throughout.
His basic comment was: "You've gotten considerably worse since I last taught you a couple years ago."
To which I replied: "Cause and effect."
So hopefully he'll be able to teach on Tuesdays regularly, and I will be able to attend regularly.
colonel and brown girl
Z is back in North Carolina, doing that living-in-America thing with Kevin.
Here's some photos from her going away party.
Here's some photos from her going away party.
men without jobs
Cousin Dave's latest film Men Without Jobs is opening at the Tribeca Film Festival. Go see it!
appleseed
Hiroko and I went with Roland and Anthea to see Appleseed. We originally wanted to see Innocence but it stopped playing the night before. But it doesn't matter: Appleseed was excellent! I've never read the manga so I didn't know the story, but it was a pretty cool plot, excellent battle and fighting scenes, and really amazing animation. The backround scenery is so realistic and 3-D, but the characters are definitely anime, though not flat. Really cool camera work, too, adding lots of depth and it's just great to watch. Also need the soundtrack, as there's some ripping tracks from BoomBoomSatellites and Paul Oakenfold.
honbu dojo open!
Shiokawa-gosoke may be 80, but as long as he's got a beer he's smiling!
Got to the dojo about 12:30 and had lunch. Folks started showing up and a little after 1pm we had an instructor's meeting to go over so administrative stuff and also talk about the opening ceremony schedule. Very important to get everyone's titles correct!
I changed and hung around the dojo as people came in and out. Niina-gosoke came back with Shiokawa-gosoke an hour later and he did 'kenbarai': dispelling evil spirits by wielding his sword in the four corners of the dojo. We took some photos and then headed across the street to Mitsukoshi Department Store for the official ceremony.
There were some speeches and then Naganuma-sensei and I demo'd some cutting, and then we ate and drank and chatted about for another hour.
Afterwards we came back to the dojo, changed, and went out for sushi and more smack-talk.
nihon-bashi
Niina-gosoke was totally beat from working so hard to get the Honbu Dojo ready for tomorrow, so practice was mellow and he went straight home to rest. We mostly worked on our own, going through the basics using the windows as mirrors. Yoshida-sensei (husband of Yoshida-sensei) came by and watched practice and chatted with Niina-gosoke most of the time. He's a cool dude and I'll be studying jo from him from now on.
sanno-sensei
Honbu Dojo practice with Sanno-sensei. Just two of us as everyone else was busy putting the finishing touches on the dojo itself; got all the trim on the shihan-seki (instructors' seating area) and cleaned up the office. Still have a pile of junk in the bathroom but we'll be ok for Saturday's official opening party.
Worked on the basics with Sanno-sensei and then ran through munazukushi. I've always hated that kata, but he got me thinking about the all-important weight transfer, and moving from the hips (not the arms), and it sort of felt like it came together a couple of times.
It's actually nice to feel progress, even after only two hours.
After practice everyone pitched in 1000 yen and we bought a bunch of food and bevvies and munched in the office. Niina-gosoke talked about how he was a hoodlum always getting in fights when he was young; somewhere in the Tokyo Police Station is his name and photo, taken during the various student uprisings and demos of the '60s.
Worked on the basics with Sanno-sensei and then ran through munazukushi. I've always hated that kata, but he got me thinking about the all-important weight transfer, and moving from the hips (not the arms), and it sort of felt like it came together a couple of times.
It's actually nice to feel progress, even after only two hours.
After practice everyone pitched in 1000 yen and we bought a bunch of food and bevvies and munched in the office. Niina-gosoke talked about how he was a hoodlum always getting in fights when he was young; somewhere in the Tokyo Police Station is his name and photo, taken during the various student uprisings and demos of the '60s.
hoshina-san at akihabara
Hoshina-san took over the Akihabara practice officially, and I am still in assistant instructor mode. I ran everyone through the warm-up and basics, then Hoshina-san took the beginners and I went through some kata with the other folks.
After practice Hoshina-san and I did some jo (staff) work -- she's been doing jo for over 10 years and I've been practicing for over 10 days. The difference shows!
After practice Hoshina-san and I did some jo (staff) work -- she's been doing jo for over 10 years and I've been practicing for over 10 days. The difference shows!
old-steel cutting
Went to Nakano to get in some final cutting practice before the demo on Saturday. Instead of using my cutter I used my old (400+ years) koto blade that I use daily for practice. DAMN that thing can cut! I guess that makes sense, as that's what it was made for and in it's time it's done some real cutting (battlefield, people.)
The shape is so different (way more curve) than my cutter (practically straight) that I just can't draw my cutter effectively anymore. Will probably order a cutter smithed to my specifications to be as close as possible to my old blade, and then retire the old blade from cutting by giving it a nice polish and some beautiful fittings.
After practice Otsuka-san and Kiyokawa-kun and I went to Kosaka (Niina-gosoke's hangout in Koenji) for some brilliant and cheap food. Stayed late talking smack and getting ourselves all worked up about the future of iai.
The shape is so different (way more curve) than my cutter (practically straight) that I just can't draw my cutter effectively anymore. Will probably order a cutter smithed to my specifications to be as close as possible to my old blade, and then retire the old blade from cutting by giving it a nice polish and some beautiful fittings.
After practice Otsuka-san and Kiyokawa-kun and I went to Kosaka (Niina-gosoke's hangout in Koenji) for some brilliant and cheap food. Stayed late talking smack and getting ourselves all worked up about the future of iai.
is it me?
Had 3 people come check out class at Shibuya. The two guys left half-way through class, and the woman stayed until the end, but didn't up signing up even though she said she was interested. I gotta work on my soft sell.
jo
Went to Shinagawa Citizen's Sports Center for an all-day jo (staff) seminar. Iwameji-sensei came up for the seminar and he is just amazing. In the morning we video-taped him going through the kata and explaining some finer points, then after lunch Hoshina-san and Orita-san drilled me on the basics and the first 12 kata. No chance I'll be ready to help Niina-gosoke teach by the end of the month, but I'm trying. Jo is way different than sword, and fun in its own way.
After practice Hiroko's parents left and Hiroko and I watched a few more episodes of 24. Story's starting to reach a bit, I think. Keith (senator Palmer's son) and Kim (Bauer's daughter) are both idiots, and that helps move the story along. But it really makes me wonder, doesn't anyone ever go to the bathroom? Or sleep?
After practice Hiroko's parents left and Hiroko and I watched a few more episodes of 24. Story's starting to reach a bit, I think. Keith (senator Palmer's son) and Kim (Bauer's daughter) are both idiots, and that helps move the story along. But it really makes me wonder, doesn't anyone ever go to the bathroom? Or sleep?
parentals a soba
After cutting practice I really needed a haircut, so I went to Murabayashi for the traditional shave and cut. I think I'm on the only one who ever goes there.
Hiroko's parents came over to spend the night in Tokyo and go to some new year's festival at the Laos Embassy or something. Dad really wanted to eat soba, so we went to Sarashina in Azabujyuban and stuffed ourselves silly. Noodles is good.
Hiroko's parents came over to spend the night in Tokyo and go to some new year's festival at the Laos Embassy or something. Dad really wanted to eat soba, so we went to Sarashina in Azabujyuban and stuffed ourselves silly. Noodles is good.
cuttin'
Had cutting practice for this first time in a few months. I have to demo at the Honbu Dojo Opening Ceremony so I needed the practice. There were only five others so I had plenty of targets and time. I did alright, considering I haven't cut in a while, so I should be ok for the demo on Saturday. Have another cutting practice on Tuesday just to make sure, though.
what's wrong with this picture?
A game my dad used to play with us when we were kids: spot the spelling mistakes. On the road-signs, on the billboards, on the menus.
Well, we're still at it:
Well, we're still at it:
sanno-sensei
It's interesting how similar yet how different Sanno-sensei and Tanaka-sensei are. Sanno-sensei started us off with basic cuts and we went through those for over an hour. He focused on balance and stability by having us take shorter steps and not reaching so much with the arms and upper body to draw and cut. He has a couple of interesting mottos:
"If you can't do two things at once, do them one at a time." So for example instead of cutting while moving forward, we stood in place and cut until we felt comfortable with the arc and angle of the blade, then tried it while moving. Also on the draw, we tried moving the hands to the sword and getting the right hand on the tsuka (sword handle) on the centerline (not over to the left) before moving the feet.
"Now we are developing technique, not using it." His point was, if you are really fighting, yes you want to get your shoulders into the cut, drive the sword deep into the opponent, maximize the power from the hips. But we aren't fighting, we're practicing. So take it slow, keep the body upright and stable, relax, don't worry about raw power so much as fine-tuning the movements, the coordination of the whole body. And THINK about what you're doing.
After the basics we went through two kata, shin and sa, again going over them detail by detail. Shin was passable, but sa needs serious work, especially drawing while turning and cutting out straight the opponent on the left.
I usually teach at Iidabashi on Thursdays, but this month Iidabashi is on Mondays, so I'll be able to come to Sanno-sensei's practice at least a few more times.
"If you can't do two things at once, do them one at a time." So for example instead of cutting while moving forward, we stood in place and cut until we felt comfortable with the arc and angle of the blade, then tried it while moving. Also on the draw, we tried moving the hands to the sword and getting the right hand on the tsuka (sword handle) on the centerline (not over to the left) before moving the feet.
"Now we are developing technique, not using it." His point was, if you are really fighting, yes you want to get your shoulders into the cut, drive the sword deep into the opponent, maximize the power from the hips. But we aren't fighting, we're practicing. So take it slow, keep the body upright and stable, relax, don't worry about raw power so much as fine-tuning the movements, the coordination of the whole body. And THINK about what you're doing.
After the basics we went through two kata, shin and sa, again going over them detail by detail. Shin was passable, but sa needs serious work, especially drawing while turning and cutting out straight the opponent on the left.
I usually teach at Iidabashi on Thursdays, but this month Iidabashi is on Mondays, so I'll be able to come to Sanno-sensei's practice at least a few more times.
tanaka-sensei
Tanaka-sensei's first practice at Honbu Dojo. He was running late and grabbed the wrong sword by mistake. But it didn't stop him from being totally on it. As he usually does, we ran through the kata, five or six times each one, working on specific points. He was stressing the finer details; extending out the last cut, getting the hips positioned, controlling the sword tip. Everything move he does is centered, powerful, and effortless; it's really amazing and he's so low-key. Practicing with him is always fun. I'm glad I can go to Wednesday practices this month and next month, because there's no Akihabara practice at which I usually help teach.
self practice and...carpentry?
Showed up at Honbu Dojo figuring I'd get Naganuma-sensei's class, but he was busy installing ceiling lights in the hallway (which is perfectly reasonable considering he's an architectural engineer who specializes in lighting and wiring.)
Ohtsuka-san and Niina-gosoke were putting the finishing touches on the wood panelling and trim, so I changed out and started practicing on my own for a bit.
But as luck would have it Niina-gosoke called me over and I had to help them for an hour glueing, nailing, drilling, and screwing wood together. Carpentry is definitely not my strong suit, but I did what I could.
Managed to get another 30 minutes of training in before calling it a night. Nice to have the whole floor to myself.
After practice Hiroko and I watched disc #6 of 24 in preparation for the next box of DVDs.
Ohtsuka-san and Niina-gosoke were putting the finishing touches on the wood panelling and trim, so I changed out and started practicing on my own for a bit.
But as luck would have it Niina-gosoke called me over and I had to help them for an hour glueing, nailing, drilling, and screwing wood together. Carpentry is definitely not my strong suit, but I did what I could.
Managed to get another 30 minutes of training in before calling it a night. Nice to have the whole floor to myself.
After practice Hiroko and I watched disc #6 of 24 in preparation for the next box of DVDs.
big monday
Because of the messed up schedule, Iidabashi practice moved from Thursdays to Mondays, so I taught at Shibuya like I always do and Ohtsuka-san taught at Iidabashi for me.
Big turn out in Shibuya -- 10 students, plus Shirata-kun who's been busy at work and hasn't been to practice in 4 months. We did some fun esoteric foot work and basics the whole time and I successfully confused everyone, self included.
Big turn out in Shibuya -- 10 students, plus Shirata-kun who's been busy at work and hasn't been to practice in 4 months. We did some fun esoteric foot work and basics the whole time and I successfully confused everyone, self included.
shibuya saturday
Did the standard Saturday AM errands; hit the dry cleaners and learned that the building will be torn down and rebuilt so they're moving around the corner (conveniently, so am I), went to Shibuya with the intention of getting things done, but failed miserably.
Have to fix my watch band but forgot my watch. Have to buy a new alarm clock but didn't go to the electronics store. Met hiroko and tried to get some Indian curry but it was too crowded, so we bussed back to Hiroo and ate at Homeworks. Beautiful day and all the pretty people were out and about doing their thing.
Came home in the afternoon and dropped dead, tired from all the being useful in the morning. We are so NOT morning people.
Have to fix my watch band but forgot my watch. Have to buy a new alarm clock but didn't go to the electronics store. Met hiroko and tried to get some Indian curry but it was too crowded, so we bussed back to Hiroo and ate at Homeworks. Beautiful day and all the pretty people were out and about doing their thing.
Came home in the afternoon and dropped dead, tired from all the being useful in the morning. We are so NOT morning people.
shinbashi
Niina-gosoke's practice at Shinbashi. I've actually been able to do my own practice twice this week. Amazing. Gosoke's new thing for his year is: "Do what you want, figure it out for yourself, I'll give some hints or clues as necessary."
So I started with the basics for the first hour, just trying to really hard to not try too hard, and working on rotating my hands a bit later as Gosoke told me on yesterday.
Then I started running through kata. Just doing each one a few times to see how it feels. Also trying to not do alot of foot-stomping, which actually makes it easier to think about putting energy into the sword tip instead of into the ground, but it also make timing the upper and lower body movements harder.
Felt a bit sore in general but it was a good practice and for the first time in a while it was not cold and I worked up a good sweat.
After practice we hit the local dive and stuffed ourselves as Gosoke told us stories of how he almost went to Germany and Lebanon, ended up getting sent to South America, etc.
Also talked about the deeper Zen issues we have to start getting our head around: "Swinging a sword is only part of it. You have to use your head. You have to use your heart. Think of how small and insignificant the Earth in when seen from the farthest reaches of the universe."
Big, deep, and too much for me to wrap my head around, but I'm working on it.
So I started with the basics for the first hour, just trying to really hard to not try too hard, and working on rotating my hands a bit later as Gosoke told me on yesterday.
Then I started running through kata. Just doing each one a few times to see how it feels. Also trying to not do alot of foot-stomping, which actually makes it easier to think about putting energy into the sword tip instead of into the ground, but it also make timing the upper and lower body movements harder.
Felt a bit sore in general but it was a good practice and for the first time in a while it was not cold and I worked up a good sweat.
After practice we hit the local dive and stuffed ourselves as Gosoke told us stories of how he almost went to Germany and Lebanon, ended up getting sent to South America, etc.
Also talked about the deeper Zen issues we have to start getting our head around: "Swinging a sword is only part of it. You have to use your head. You have to use your heart. Think of how small and insignificant the Earth in when seen from the farthest reaches of the universe."
Big, deep, and too much for me to wrap my head around, but I'm working on it.
akihabara
Did some work in the AM and then went over to the Park Hyatt about noon. The sky was heavy with clouds but the rain was tapering off, so I had faith that the Japanese weather reports would be correct and we'd have blue skies for the PM.
Met Larry, Nancy, and The Jake and we walked through Central Park to get to the subway station. Nancy remarked on the amazing homeless houses built out of tarp, tents, and cardboard. Some of them even had doors and windows. Regardless of what the hotel told her, though, I reassured her that no one in Japan ever pan-handles, and walking through Central Park in Shinjuku at 2 am was no more dangerous than walking through the hotel lobby. It's a tough concept to get, but the worst thing Japanese homeless people will do is read and sleep alot. Which if you think about it is what most people would do it they didn't have to work every day.
So we got on the Oedo Line and Nancy jumped off at Aoyama-Icchome to transfer to the Hanzomon Line and go to Omotesando. She walked around checking out all the cool shops and boutiques and met Hiroko and Rolands for lunch.
Meanwhile me and Larry and The Jake went Hakuhinkan in Ginza. But first The Jake had to remind me how much I Suck, because I missed Shimbashi Station and we had to get off the train and get back on to go back, wasting 7 precious minutes. But it was all part of my plan, because those extra 7 minutes gave us just enough time for the weather to clear and the blue ski to come burning through.
We got off at Shinbashi and walked over to Hakuhinkan. Larry bought armloads of Yugioh for Sanitsky The Smallest and The Jake checked out some of the other coolness. Then we got on the JR line and headed to The Mecca: Akihabara.
Straight out of the station we went up to Yellow Submarine and wandered around looking at all the cool figures and toys. The Jake got a bunch of sweet Naruto figures and Final Fantasy monster figures and I grabbed a set of Shinsengumi samurai. We hit all the floors looking for more Yugioh and checking out the crazy custom models and figures (nice Rhino!)
Then we went across the street to Gamers to check out the Anime stuff. Larry was hypnotized by small electronics so we left him to his own devices and me and The Jake started on the ground floor and worked our way 7 stories. The whole building was infused with a Peach smell. Kinda pleasant in a wierd way. Found some Naruto and One Piece DVDs, but they were new and not too cheap. Also looked for some soundtracks for Final Fantasy but nothing too exciting. Ended up grabbing a bunch of Naruto manga and more Yugioh stuff for Satinsky The Smallest.
Then we wandered through the small sketchy stores and Larry was again hypnotized by small electronic devices of questionable utility.
We cruised up the main street and hit one of the duty-free stores. Larry was checking out a tiny portable DVD player that was region free, but we wanted to compare prices so we continued on in search of food. The Doner Kebab truck wasn't there, so we went for the traditional hotdogs at Doutor's cafe (?) then crossed the street to check out the video game displays at Asobit City. We cruised up to the top floor of Animate to check DVD prices but still new DVDs were kinda pricey.
Finally worked our way back to the station and hit Laox to verify the price of region-free DVD players. Larry settled on a sweet little unit that's PAL/NTSC and region free. Larry busted the salesman's butt in expected NY fashion because the sign said Region 6 but the dude said it's region free and had to prove it by putting in a US, a European, and a Chinese DVD to show that they all worked.
With nothing left to buy in Akihabara we got back on the Yamanote, rode to Shinbashi, and got the bus back to my house so that The Jake could get some more munchies and check out my swords. After whining about Hint of Lime Tostitos, he relented and devoured my remaining half-bag and the last of Hiroko's Magical Salsa. We checked out my swords and then Nancy called, saying she was on her way back to the hotel. I had to get ready for practice so Larrry and The Jake, loaded down with shopping bags, got on the bus up to the Oedo Line station to subway back to Shinjuku.
In all, a primely successful day, with minimal sketchiness.
honbu
First 'official' practice at Honbu Dojo. Niina-gosoke just had us do whatever we wanted for 2 hours, every now and then dropping a helpful hint or making a correction.
I did nothing but practice kihon ichi (basic #1) and then did the first kata shin for the last 30 minutes.
My makko-giri needs serious work; too small and cutting up more than out. Niina-gosoke watched me for a bit and finally commented: "Don't start turning over your wrists so early, that throws the sword tip up above your head. You're making a big arc that comes down to close and quick. Throw your hands OUT, keeping them high, and just a hair later start turning the blade. That will throw the sword tip FORWARD, not up, and you'll cut out farther and bigger."
I actually managed to do it correctly once or twice, but then he commented about foot-stomping: "Stop banging about! Keep the balls of your feet on the ground and shuffle forward. Throw your energy forward, not down into the ground. Imagine keeping your heel off the ground the width of one piece of paper...Shiokawa-gosoke used to tell us 'Practice like you're walking on rice paper.'"
Of course I immediately thought of Kung Fu: "When you can walk across the rice paper without making a mark, you will be ready to leave."
After practice we went to some local dive bar/restaurant and ate. Always good, cheap food at such places. Otsuka-san is a madman: he talked about designing the front door entrance to the dojo to look like an old Japanese dojo. Plans on carving it all out of styrofoam and painting it to look like real wood and bamboo. He didn't even practice tonight; he spent the whole time in the office sketching out the design!
I did nothing but practice kihon ichi (basic #1) and then did the first kata shin for the last 30 minutes.
My makko-giri needs serious work; too small and cutting up more than out. Niina-gosoke watched me for a bit and finally commented: "Don't start turning over your wrists so early, that throws the sword tip up above your head. You're making a big arc that comes down to close and quick. Throw your hands OUT, keeping them high, and just a hair later start turning the blade. That will throw the sword tip FORWARD, not up, and you'll cut out farther and bigger."
I actually managed to do it correctly once or twice, but then he commented about foot-stomping: "Stop banging about! Keep the balls of your feet on the ground and shuffle forward. Throw your energy forward, not down into the ground. Imagine keeping your heel off the ground the width of one piece of paper...Shiokawa-gosoke used to tell us 'Practice like you're walking on rice paper.'"
Of course I immediately thought of Kung Fu: "When you can walk across the rice paper without making a mark, you will be ready to leave."
After practice we went to some local dive bar/restaurant and ate. Always good, cheap food at such places. Otsuka-san is a madman: he talked about designing the front door entrance to the dojo to look like an old Japanese dojo. Plans on carving it all out of styrofoam and painting it to look like real wood and bamboo. He didn't even practice tonight; he spent the whole time in the office sketching out the design!
maia
Some lovely photos of Maia, sister of me god-daughter TheLovelyAndBeautiful Emi.
She looks just like daddy!
She looks just like daddy!
staff in the solar plexus
Did a proper jo (staff) workout with Hoshina-san. She ran me through all the basics and the we started really drilling on the first several kata.
Kin-san (the other Tanaka-sensei) was there, and being as he's The Man, he showed me some finer points, including whacking me in the stomach and solar plexus repeatedly. Over and over. Again and again.
Needless to say, I am beginning to rethink my habit is sitting right up with the edge of my desk jammed into my gut. It hurts.
But jo is tons of fun, so from now on I'll probably help Hoshina-san teach sword on Wednesdays, and then after that 2 hour practice we'll hang out for an extra hour and do jo. Anyway I have less than a month to get to the point where I can act as Niina-gosoke's partner when he teaches at the seminar in LA, and both Hoshina-san and Kin-san's comments were along the lines of "You do it like that with Niina-gosoke and he'll take your arm clean off..." so I gotta get in gear asap.
Kin-san (the other Tanaka-sensei) was there, and being as he's The Man, he showed me some finer points, including whacking me in the stomach and solar plexus repeatedly. Over and over. Again and again.
Needless to say, I am beginning to rethink my habit is sitting right up with the edge of my desk jammed into my gut. It hurts.
But jo is tons of fun, so from now on I'll probably help Hoshina-san teach sword on Wednesdays, and then after that 2 hour practice we'll hang out for an extra hour and do jo. Anyway I have less than a month to get to the point where I can act as Niina-gosoke's partner when he teaches at the seminar in LA, and both Hoshina-san and Kin-san's comments were along the lines of "You do it like that with Niina-gosoke and he'll take your arm clean off..." so I gotta get in gear asap.
allergies
Whenever I have an allergic reaction to something (which seems to be a more frequent occurance these days) my neck just below my ears, kind of right behind my jaw, gets red and puffy. Usually on the left side only, though if it's really bad it happens on the right side, too, and sometimes on my forehead just up on the hairline.
It happens when I have two or more hard-boiled eggs in one day (that one took forever to figure out!), and now I think it happens when I have aspirin (Japanese Bufferin.) Either that or it was the scrambled egg/tofu thing for lunch, but it wasn't that much egg, and it wasn't hard-boiled. I'll have to eat a bunch of scrambled eggs for breakfast this weekend and see what happens. But I'm pretty sure it was the Bufferin.
Note to self: always have some Advil on hand.
It happens when I have two or more hard-boiled eggs in one day (that one took forever to figure out!), and now I think it happens when I have aspirin (Japanese Bufferin.) Either that or it was the scrambled egg/tofu thing for lunch, but it wasn't that much egg, and it wasn't hard-boiled. I'll have to eat a bunch of scrambled eggs for breakfast this weekend and see what happens. But I'm pretty sure it was the Bufferin.
Note to self: always have some Advil on hand.
dinner guests
Met Hiroko on the train platform and got to Shinjuku. Rain was unpleasant and my shoe had a crack in the sole, so we stumbled about and finally got on the (or at least 'a') shuttle bus to the Shinjuku Park Hyatt.
Met Jacob and parentals and took a cab to Restaurant Kurosawa. Jacob and I talked about various anime and plotted our assault on Akihabara on Friday.
Met Ed at the restaurant and had a multi-course meal of pork shabu-shabu, boiled chicken ("fighting cock" actually, as Ed pointed out) and various other delicacies.
Had many a good laugh, too. Larry is good-naturedly bitter/caustic in that New York east coast way that reminds me of my family, and he and Jacob had us cracking up all through dinner. The funniest part was probably when we realized that Jacob's bedroom is bigger than the 1400 square foot apartment I'm about to move in to. Gotta love Beverly Hills!
Hopefully the weather will be ok on Friday as we have to get Jacob a region-free DVD player and see what kind of anime vids and GameCube games we can find.
Met Jacob and parentals and took a cab to Restaurant Kurosawa. Jacob and I talked about various anime and plotted our assault on Akihabara on Friday.
Met Ed at the restaurant and had a multi-course meal of pork shabu-shabu, boiled chicken ("fighting cock" actually, as Ed pointed out) and various other delicacies.
Had many a good laugh, too. Larry is good-naturedly bitter/caustic in that New York east coast way that reminds me of my family, and he and Jacob had us cracking up all through dinner. The funniest part was probably when we realized that Jacob's bedroom is bigger than the 1400 square foot apartment I'm about to move in to. Gotta love Beverly Hills!
Hopefully the weather will be ok on Friday as we have to get Jacob a region-free DVD player and see what kind of anime vids and GameCube games we can find.
shibuya
Seems like I haven't been to Shibuya practice in forever. Fujin and Raijin were in fine form, and the usually gang was there (Presley, Matsuo-kun, etc.) so we had a good practice. Lots of basics and only a couple of kata.
I sold Fujin my old tessen (metal fan) and signed it, so of course Raijin got jealous. Perhaps I should auction off autographed photos to my students?
I sold Fujin my old tessen (metal fan) and signed it, so of course Raijin got jealous. Perhaps I should auction off autographed photos to my students?
amy-chan
Amy came over with mom and dad today. The weather was great so we walked up to Azabujyuban and had soba for lunch at Sarashina, and then we went up to the slide park at Roppongi Hills. Amy now totally loves slides; the long roller slide, the twisty plastic slide, the covered green slide...by the end of the day she was sliding on her own and having a great time playing with the water fountain.
Mom and dad came back from checking out Roppongi Hills, so we walked back trying to figure out what to have for dinner when we spotted the rotator chicken truck. We took two chickens home, heated up some refried beans, mixed up the avocado with Hiroko's Magical Salsa, and made burritos.
Amy slept a little bit in the stroller on the way home, but she was bouncing around during and after dinner. She likes chicken. She likes our yellow tape measure. She likes refried beans. She doesn't like guacamole. She doesn't like poptarts.
Also, I had shrimp tempura in my soba for lunch and I was fine all day, so maybe I didn't inherit mama's seafood allergy...
Mom and dad came back from checking out Roppongi Hills, so we walked back trying to figure out what to have for dinner when we spotted the rotator chicken truck. We took two chickens home, heated up some refried beans, mixed up the avocado with Hiroko's Magical Salsa, and made burritos.
Amy slept a little bit in the stroller on the way home, but she was bouncing around during and after dinner. She likes chicken. She likes our yellow tape measure. She likes refried beans. She doesn't like guacamole. She doesn't like poptarts.
Also, I had shrimp tempura in my soba for lunch and I was fine all day, so maybe I didn't inherit mama's seafood allergy...
evan and miho
After running various errands in the morning, Hiroko and I got all dressed up and went to Evan and Miho's wedding reception. Watatani-ke is a very cool old mansion built in the late 1800s/early 1900s. Japanese entrance, western hall and stairs, Japanese tatami rooms, western sitting room, Japanese garden; a cool blend of old and new. Hiroko and I played video games and chatted with some of Evan's family friends before heading over to Trocadero for Zareen's going-back-to-the-states party.
But as soon as we got there I started feeling really bad, and we ended up going home right after we got there. Hiroko thinks it might have been the crab-stuffed appetizers, as I was careful to avoid the cheese.
But as soon as we got there I started feeling really bad, and we ended up going home right after we got there. Hiroko thinks it might have been the crab-stuffed appetizers, as I was careful to avoid the cheese.
honbu jo
Came by honbu dojo after work and set up the computer and network. PC worked ok but we couldn't get Niina-gosoke's laptop to connect to the wireless LAN. Still have to figure that one out.
Hoshina-san schooled me on the first five jo (staff) techniques. Niina-gosoke would demonstrate the tachi (sword) part a couple of times, and then I'd try it with Hoshina-san pummelling me in the wrist, head, and solar plexus. The moves are tough, and I have no idea how we'll teach the basics and 10 kata during the LA seminar next month, but then again Niina-gosoke does have Menkyo-kaiden, so he knows what he's doing. The problem is I don't.
The first five kata are tachi-otoshi, tsuba-wari, tsuki-zue, hissae, and sakan. And that's about all I remember. Gosoke loaned me an old, out-of-print book with all the Shindomusoryu jo techniques in it (over 70 or something like that) and I've got to make copies of it as it's been out of print for decades.
After practice we went to the Chinese restaurant next door. Cheap and good and the portions are huge. Plus they have those cool lazy-susans on all the tables.
Hoshina-san schooled me on the first five jo (staff) techniques. Niina-gosoke would demonstrate the tachi (sword) part a couple of times, and then I'd try it with Hoshina-san pummelling me in the wrist, head, and solar plexus. The moves are tough, and I have no idea how we'll teach the basics and 10 kata during the LA seminar next month, but then again Niina-gosoke does have Menkyo-kaiden, so he knows what he's doing. The problem is I don't.
The first five kata are tachi-otoshi, tsuba-wari, tsuki-zue, hissae, and sakan. And that's about all I remember. Gosoke loaned me an old, out-of-print book with all the Shindomusoryu jo techniques in it (over 70 or something like that) and I've got to make copies of it as it's been out of print for decades.
After practice we went to the Chinese restaurant next door. Cheap and good and the portions are huge. Plus they have those cool lazy-susans on all the tables.
minami azabu 3rd
Put up some photos of what will hopefully soon by our new home. Shimizu-san is still negotiating with the landlord, and they still have to clean the place. If all goes well we can probably move in late May!
honbu dojo
Stopped off at the honbu dojo to set up the DSL and wireless LAN. Niina-gosoke bought pizzas and food and everyone who helped paint and set up had a little party. The place looks really great now that it's all painted, and it's much bigger than I thought. I'll go on Friday to practice with Niina-gosoke; he's got to teach me the jo and tanjo (staff and short staff) kata for when we do the seminar in LA next month.
what a difference a day makes
Shimizu-san is, without a doubt, The Bomb. Hiroko and I were wondering if really Pacific was the better apartment, or if we should go for MinamiAzabu 3rd, the house we saw. Both have their good points.
Pacific:
Tons of light, huge living-dining room, brand new reform, right in AzabuJyuban, but the building is old.
3rd:
Huge, giant basement, two toilets, fully spec'd kitchen, but it's a stand-alone wood-frame building (not well insulated.)
Anyway, going back and forth with Shimizu-san and she finally says: "The management company of Pacific is...sketchy. Even negotiating the most basic things, they're dodgy and indirect, and then they're making this crazy demands like 6 months advance notice when moving out...I've done some research and the parent company is into loan-sharking, debt collection, land and real estate management, venture capital...I just get a bad feeling dealing with them, and I'm worried that it will be trouble for your later."
Hmm: loans, debts, real estate...can you say Yakuza front? So Shimizu-san basically gave up her agent fee by being honest with us. That is so cool.
But little did she know we really liked 3rd as well, so I told her to go for it. She knows that management company well and they're totally cool. So she's put a hold on the place and is negotiating to take 50,000 yen off the rent and knock down the deposit, get the place cleaned, etc.
It's an awesome house:
First floor has a big entrance way with a MASSIVE shoe closet. Right off the entrance hall is the bedroom (as big as my living room now; 12 mats) which has a giant walk-in closet. Down from that is the bathroom (toilet and sink) and next to that the shower/bath, a totally modern Japanese deal.
Stairs go down into the basement, which is basically the whole foundation of the house (20 mats at least), plus two massive storage spaces in the corners and more storage under the stairs. So basically, that's my dojo.
Upstairs is the main level: kitchen with refrigerator, washer/dryer, dish washer, water filter, oven, and stove. Lots of cabinet storage and counter space, and an open counter into the living-dining room. The ceiling is high; cathedrals all the way up to the roof, and theirs more stairs up to the loft above the kitchen. Loft has carpet, more closet storage, a big sky light, and is big enough to stand up in (my office probably.)
Off the living-dining room is a reasonably nice sized wooden deck on two sides (with a small bench on it now.)
So, things are looking good, assuming we can get a final agreement on the place. Also, it's about a two minute walk from our place now, so moving won't be a big deal, and I know the neighborhood's good!
Pacific:
Tons of light, huge living-dining room, brand new reform, right in AzabuJyuban, but the building is old.
3rd:
Huge, giant basement, two toilets, fully spec'd kitchen, but it's a stand-alone wood-frame building (not well insulated.)
Anyway, going back and forth with Shimizu-san and she finally says: "The management company of Pacific is...sketchy. Even negotiating the most basic things, they're dodgy and indirect, and then they're making this crazy demands like 6 months advance notice when moving out...I've done some research and the parent company is into loan-sharking, debt collection, land and real estate management, venture capital...I just get a bad feeling dealing with them, and I'm worried that it will be trouble for your later."
Hmm: loans, debts, real estate...can you say Yakuza front? So Shimizu-san basically gave up her agent fee by being honest with us. That is so cool.
But little did she know we really liked 3rd as well, so I told her to go for it. She knows that management company well and they're totally cool. So she's put a hold on the place and is negotiating to take 50,000 yen off the rent and knock down the deposit, get the place cleaned, etc.
It's an awesome house:
First floor has a big entrance way with a MASSIVE shoe closet. Right off the entrance hall is the bedroom (as big as my living room now; 12 mats) which has a giant walk-in closet. Down from that is the bathroom (toilet and sink) and next to that the shower/bath, a totally modern Japanese deal.
Stairs go down into the basement, which is basically the whole foundation of the house (20 mats at least), plus two massive storage spaces in the corners and more storage under the stairs. So basically, that's my dojo.
Upstairs is the main level: kitchen with refrigerator, washer/dryer, dish washer, water filter, oven, and stove. Lots of cabinet storage and counter space, and an open counter into the living-dining room. The ceiling is high; cathedrals all the way up to the roof, and theirs more stairs up to the loft above the kitchen. Loft has carpet, more closet storage, a big sky light, and is big enough to stand up in (my office probably.)
Off the living-dining room is a reasonably nice sized wooden deck on two sides (with a small bench on it now.)
So, things are looking good, assuming we can get a final agreement on the place. Also, it's about a two minute walk from our place now, so moving won't be a big deal, and I know the neighborhood's good!
pacific!
Shimizu-san is putting in an offer for Pacific Azabu #702. Huge living-dining room, tons of sunlight, nice kitchen...very psyched!
giant microbes
from my bro:
Get intimately knowledgeable about the common cold, flu, or a stomach virus with these awesome stuffed toys!
Get intimately knowledgeable about the common cold, flu, or a stomach virus with these awesome stuffed toys!
kobayashi barber
My clippers are dying (ok, they're dead) and I haven't cut my hair in weeks. Hiroko suggested I just pop down the street to Kobayashi, the barber next door to the local bath house.
So I hopped on the bicycle and cruised over. 4000 yen and I got a shave, haircut, and shampoo. The best part is at Japanese barbers you lean forward to have your hair rinsed and washed. Sporty.
So I hopped on the bicycle and cruised over. 4000 yen and I got a shave, haircut, and shampoo. The best part is at Japanese barbers you lean forward to have your hair rinsed and washed. Sporty.
pacific azabu mansion!
The sun was shining and it actually felt a bit like spring. Shimizu-san must have been getting sick of showing us apartments, because today each apartment was better than the next. Minamiazabu 3rd was a little house down the street from our place. It had a huge basement, a giant master bedroom with walk-in closet, a good kitchen with all the trimmings, nice living-dining room, and a loft. Two toilets and a Japanese bath, too. Hiroko liked it, so we were off to a good start.
Next was Pacific. Just in Azabu-jyuban, across the street from the Korean embassy. The building is old (1971) and the floorplan looked lame, but when we looked at it, the place was amazing! Seems the owner himself planned on moving in, but half-way through the remodelling decided to live somewhere else. Beautiful floors, giant (GIANT) living-dining room, the whole south wall is double sliding glass doors, 2 small bedrooms and a third room that opens into the living room, brand new kitchen with a counter to the dining room, lots of smart closets, and a toilet lid that automatically opens when you stand in front of it. 7th floor, south facing, and the building is in from Sendaizaka Street because of the parking lot, so it's quite and full of sunlight. Behind it is the temple and graveyard, in front is the Korean Embassy, so there are cops all over the place 24/7 and no one will ever build something to block the view or sun.
This was one of the first floorplans Shimizu-san sent me, but the floorplan was the old apartment before the remodelling, and I don't think anyone's gone to see the place since it's been on the market. The location, price, and design makes it a steal, but the floorplan is so bad everyone (including me) just blows it off. Asked Shimizu-san to put in a offer on this place, so we'll see!
Also saw a couple of other apartments. Two nice 'foreigner' places just down the street: good carpet, high ceilings, two toilets, but the kitchens were kind of lacking and compared to Pacific they weren't really big and open. Then we checked out Flats K in Nishiazabu: very clean, almost sterile, but nice places. And finally a huge place on the top floor of a building right on Kottodori in Aoyama. The living-dining room was even bigger than Pacific, the kitchen was an open counter, and the entire roof was a balcony. Had a big master bedroom with a big closet, and another big but funky-shaped room. Two toilets and a Japanese bath (old but usable.)
Hopefully Pacific will come through, but if not there's still hope.
Next was Pacific. Just in Azabu-jyuban, across the street from the Korean embassy. The building is old (1971) and the floorplan looked lame, but when we looked at it, the place was amazing! Seems the owner himself planned on moving in, but half-way through the remodelling decided to live somewhere else. Beautiful floors, giant (GIANT) living-dining room, the whole south wall is double sliding glass doors, 2 small bedrooms and a third room that opens into the living room, brand new kitchen with a counter to the dining room, lots of smart closets, and a toilet lid that automatically opens when you stand in front of it. 7th floor, south facing, and the building is in from Sendaizaka Street because of the parking lot, so it's quite and full of sunlight. Behind it is the temple and graveyard, in front is the Korean Embassy, so there are cops all over the place 24/7 and no one will ever build something to block the view or sun.
This was one of the first floorplans Shimizu-san sent me, but the floorplan was the old apartment before the remodelling, and I don't think anyone's gone to see the place since it's been on the market. The location, price, and design makes it a steal, but the floorplan is so bad everyone (including me) just blows it off. Asked Shimizu-san to put in a offer on this place, so we'll see!
Also saw a couple of other apartments. Two nice 'foreigner' places just down the street: good carpet, high ceilings, two toilets, but the kitchens were kind of lacking and compared to Pacific they weren't really big and open. Then we checked out Flats K in Nishiazabu: very clean, almost sterile, but nice places. And finally a huge place on the top floor of a building right on Kottodori in Aoyama. The living-dining room was even bigger than Pacific, the kitchen was an open counter, and the entire roof was a balcony. Had a big master bedroom with a big closet, and another big but funky-shaped room. Two toilets and a Japanese bath (old but usable.)
Hopefully Pacific will come through, but if not there's still hope.
rain and lame
What's up with the damn spring weather? It was sunny and warm in the winter, and now that it's officially spring it's all cold and rainy and nasty. No fun whatsoever.
The plan was to babysit Amy for the day, but she had a fever and the sniffles, and the weather really sucked, so we bagged it. Hiroko and I checked out the Azabu Regency just up the street: huge 4 bedroom apartment, but it was on the first floor (no natural light) and had only western bathrooms and showers. Hiroko said it reminded her of an old hotel. Well put.
We were in a rainy Saturday funk and I was bummed because I thought we'd never find an apartment, so we went across the street to Doraichi to get some ramen for lunch. They just started serving Tantanmen and it was great; not too spicy or anything.
After lunch we watched Tasogare Seibei. Brilliant flick!
The plan was to babysit Amy for the day, but she had a fever and the sniffles, and the weather really sucked, so we bagged it. Hiroko and I checked out the Azabu Regency just up the street: huge 4 bedroom apartment, but it was on the first floor (no natural light) and had only western bathrooms and showers. Hiroko said it reminded her of an old hotel. Well put.
We were in a rainy Saturday funk and I was bummed because I thought we'd never find an apartment, so we went across the street to Doraichi to get some ramen for lunch. They just started serving Tantanmen and it was great; not too spicy or anything.
After lunch we watched Tasogare Seibei. Brilliant flick!
2004 q1 earnings
Earnings out for the first quarter. Not bad at all: $1.226 billion net income ($6.2 billion net revenues), return on equity of 19%.
spell check
Who needs spell check when my parents read my blog religiously and constantly correct my spelling and grammar?
And what the hell is up with this weather? It was COLD yesterday, and kind of Londonish rainy/windy. No fun at all. Gimme my Chaucer-like spring:
Whan that aprill with his shoures soote
The droghte of march hath perced to the roote,
And bathed every veyne in swich licour
Of which vertu engendred is the flour;
And what the hell is up with this weather? It was COLD yesterday, and kind of Londonish rainy/windy. No fun at all. Gimme my Chaucer-like spring:
Whan that aprill with his shoures soote
The droghte of march hath perced to the roote,
And bathed every veyne in swich licour
Of which vertu engendred is the flour;
Japanderer
Find your favorite Hollywood star doing silly things for huge amounts of money on TV in Japan.
And you thought Lost In Translation was kidding!
And you thought Lost In Translation was kidding!
more apartments
Poor Shimizu-san, she's shown us a gazillion apartments, and none of them are just right. I keep apologizing to her for being such a difficult apartment-seeker, but she said "I can't give up now! I HAVE to find you a place you like!" So she'll be taking Hiroko and I on Sunday to check out some more places...will it ever end?
off-site
Spent all day in an officer's off-site today. Except it wasn't actually off-site; it was in the training room. All day. In the training room. All day.
Presentations.
Video link to Hong Kong.
All day.
Presentations via video link in Hong Kong.
All day.
In the training room.
All day.
Presentations.
Video link to Hong Kong.
All day.
Presentations via video link in Hong Kong.
All day.
In the training room.
All day.
paintin'
Went to the Honbu Dojo to paint. Everything. The walls, the ceiling, the trim...scary part was I was one of the only people there who'd ever painted before, and that's not saying much. The hardest parts about painting:
Painting evenly with a brush.
Painting evenly with a roller.
Painting a wall with a brush and a roller.
Painting trim in a straight line without tape.
Painting trim in a staight line WITH tape.
Needless to say, we got alot of paint all over the place, and mostly (by luck) on the walls and ceiling.
The Honbu Dojo is, by the way, fantastically sweet. Floor area is alot bigger than I thought, and the office is roomy, too. The 5th floor walk-up will be a nice warm-up before practice, too.
Painting evenly with a brush.
Painting evenly with a roller.
Painting a wall with a brush and a roller.
Painting trim in a straight line without tape.
Painting trim in a staight line WITH tape.
Needless to say, we got alot of paint all over the place, and mostly (by luck) on the walls and ceiling.
The Honbu Dojo is, by the way, fantastically sweet. Floor area is alot bigger than I thought, and the office is roomy, too. The 5th floor walk-up will be a nice warm-up before practice, too.
Akihabara is cool
Did my Good Deed for the month today. Scooter'd up to the Hougyoku-kai office because Niina-gosoke asked me to sell the old office PC up there: no point in moving it to the Honbu Dojo. So I packed up the computer, monitor, and two printers, balanced and roped it all on the luggage rack I brought, and lugged it across to the other side of the station to the used place. Of course the weather happened to be unseasonably warm and I was working up quite a sweat pushing an unwieldy stack of parts up and down the street. Luckily, such a site in Akihabara is fairly typical, so no one gave me a second thought.
After dropping the stuff off I walked back to the office and got some lunch at the Indian curry place in the building. Stupendously average, but cheap and the nan was good.
Scootered back to the used store and discovered that, much to my surprise, the total came to over 12,000 yen! Seems if we still had the box and manuals it would have been double that, but oh well. One printer was only 50 yen though, and the other printer was zero yen (but at least they took it away; would have cost 1000yen just to throw it out.) So I pooled the points on my Sofmap card and got handed a coupon good for 2000 yen off of a wireless LAN purchase. Lucky! Just what I needed so I headed over to the Mac Sofmap and bought an Airmac card for Niina-gosoke's iBook and a Buffalo wireless LAN/router. Using the points and coupon the total came to only 7000 yen. I love Akihabara.
After dropping the stuff off I walked back to the office and got some lunch at the Indian curry place in the building. Stupendously average, but cheap and the nan was good.
Scootered back to the used store and discovered that, much to my surprise, the total came to over 12,000 yen! Seems if we still had the box and manuals it would have been double that, but oh well. One printer was only 50 yen though, and the other printer was zero yen (but at least they took it away; would have cost 1000yen just to throw it out.) So I pooled the points on my Sofmap card and got handed a coupon good for 2000 yen off of a wireless LAN purchase. Lucky! Just what I needed so I headed over to the Mac Sofmap and bought an Airmac card for Niina-gosoke's iBook and a Buffalo wireless LAN/router. Using the points and coupon the total came to only 7000 yen. I love Akihabara.
shinbashi
Shimizu-san came by about 4:30 and we looked at a few more apartments. Sendaizaka Oak Hills is right in Azabu Jyuban, but the apartments were just average, nothing exciting. The other apartment was also in Azabu Jyuban, right by the video game store at the bottom of Kurayamizaka, but it was kind of small and dark and only had a unit bath. Azabudai Tower is a nice expat place, with an awesome kitchen and huge living/dining room, but it is literally across the street from the Tokyo American Club, and it only has a western bath/shower. The owner said he was thinking about remodelling the bathroom to be Japanese-style; a place to change, a shower area, and a bathtub. But even if they did that, don't think I want to live there.
Hiroko and I will go see some more places next weekend, so I'm not worried. Still think Wakayama House was the best place, but Hiroko wasn't crazy about it. So we'll see.
After looking at apartments I finally made it to Gosoke's class for the first time in what seemed live forever. I brought custard cakes from Hokkaido and there were just enough for everyone. After practice Gosoke and I went to his favorite sushi place and we talked about the Honbu Dojo (gotta go paint it this weekend!) and who's gonna take over Mugairyu in the future...deep stuff, especially since I'm still just trying to figure out the basics.
Hiroko and I will go see some more places next weekend, so I'm not worried. Still think Wakayama House was the best place, but Hiroko wasn't crazy about it. So we'll see.
After looking at apartments I finally made it to Gosoke's class for the first time in what seemed live forever. I brought custard cakes from Hokkaido and there were just enough for everyone. After practice Gosoke and I went to his favorite sushi place and we talked about the Honbu Dojo (gotta go paint it this weekend!) and who's gonna take over Mugairyu in the future...deep stuff, especially since I'm still just trying to figure out the basics.
spring?
What's up with this damn weather? Yesterday it's 18 degrees C and sunny: total t-shirt spring weather. Wind is blowing the hay fever'd pollen hither and yon, the birds are a'chirpin', etc.
Today, it's gray and overcast, 11 degrees C, and the wind is icy.
Make up your mind!
Today, it's gray and overcast, 11 degrees C, and the wind is icy.
Make up your mind!
more powder!
Awoke early to see the snow still falling, and fresh powder all over the mountain.
Rallied the seriously hung-over troops, who gave it their best, considering the alcohol-induced damage from the night before.
Got on the mountain and did some powdery on-piste; not great visibility but the goggles were good and the snow was perfect. Didn't bother going seriously off-piste as I had enough powder between trails, in trees, and under lifts, and my legs were feeling the pain.
Gave myself four good runs, including one badly-calculated run through some nasty moguls, and called it a happy day.
A final onsen, packed my stuff, ate some banana bread, finally finished my book, and it was back on the bus to Chitose Airport. We managed to get bumped to an earlier flight so I was home by 10:30, sore and tired but loving it.
Rallied the seriously hung-over troops, who gave it their best, considering the alcohol-induced damage from the night before.
Got on the mountain and did some powdery on-piste; not great visibility but the goggles were good and the snow was perfect. Didn't bother going seriously off-piste as I had enough powder between trails, in trees, and under lifts, and my legs were feeling the pain.
Gave myself four good runs, including one badly-calculated run through some nasty moguls, and called it a happy day.
A final onsen, packed my stuff, ate some banana bread, finally finished my book, and it was back on the bus to Chitose Airport. We managed to get bumped to an earlier flight so I was home by 10:30, sore and tired but loving it.
niseko day 3
No fresh snow, so made a late start of it. Took it easy, did some on-piste, found some random powder between trails, got yelled at for ducking under the ropes and hitting the virgin snow between the trees under the quad.
Decided to try the Anupuri off-piste on my own. Stayed high and cut across the ridge of the near valley. Plunged through some tremendous untouched snow along the wind-blown ridge line and managed to start a small avalanche. Ended up farther right than I should have been so I had to hoof about 15 minutes of flat valley bottom before I got back on track. But then I ended up running through trees for a LONG time, finally ending up at the bottom of a quad I didn't recognize. Seems I had come all the way to the resort on the other side of the mountain. Had to buy a one-time lift pass to get to the top of the quad, then hoofed and skated until I got to the far edge of the far valley (from Anupuri.) I could see the valley I should have been in, and I could see the line that would take me back to the bottom of Anupuri, and I could see that no one had even been on this valley wall. I savoured the moment before plunging into 2 meter deep, untouched powder down the entire valley wall. I worked it as long as I could, then shot at speed into the valley bottom, hanging hard left, and finally ending up at the bottom of Anupuri. Mission accomplished.
Had an early lunch at Pow-Pow, some lounging by the fire, another pre-dinner onsen.
Then the snow flurries started. Nothing serious, and folks weren't too excited about tomorrow...but the weather report says snow...
Decided to try the Anupuri off-piste on my own. Stayed high and cut across the ridge of the near valley. Plunged through some tremendous untouched snow along the wind-blown ridge line and managed to start a small avalanche. Ended up farther right than I should have been so I had to hoof about 15 minutes of flat valley bottom before I got back on track. But then I ended up running through trees for a LONG time, finally ending up at the bottom of a quad I didn't recognize. Seems I had come all the way to the resort on the other side of the mountain. Had to buy a one-time lift pass to get to the top of the quad, then hoofed and skated until I got to the far edge of the far valley (from Anupuri.) I could see the valley I should have been in, and I could see the line that would take me back to the bottom of Anupuri, and I could see that no one had even been on this valley wall. I savoured the moment before plunging into 2 meter deep, untouched powder down the entire valley wall. I worked it as long as I could, then shot at speed into the valley bottom, hanging hard left, and finally ending up at the bottom of Anupuri. Mission accomplished.
Had an early lunch at Pow-Pow, some lounging by the fire, another pre-dinner onsen.
Then the snow flurries started. Nothing serious, and folks weren't too excited about tomorrow...but the weather report says snow...
powder
Woke up at 6:30 to a beautiful Hokkaido morning. And buckets of fresh powder. The group was psyched by slightly hungover. Me and Binnie and couple others managed to get on the slope by 8:30, rode to the top, hiked up to the very peak, and barrelled down unspeakably good, fresh, deep powder.
I went way off course and ended up far too left, and had to hoof 30 minutes to get back on the mountain. But it was worth it.
Hooked up with Greg who took us to the other side of the mountain where we found a valley of fresh powder. Hit that several times before lunch before breaking for a thousand yen pasta-and-meat-sauce-topped-with-deep-fried-pork-cutlet. They kept going but I was getting tired so I took some on-piste runs and called it a day.
Headed back to the Full Note and did the pre-dinner onsen, got the fireplace running, and sat around reading.
Weather was sunny so folks weren't expecting fresh powder, and thus planned on a late start. More drunken debauchery downstairs; cheap dinner wine, prune juice and vodka, etc. Several UDI's (Unidentified Drinking Injuries).
I went way off course and ended up far too left, and had to hoof 30 minutes to get back on the mountain. But it was worth it.
Hooked up with Greg who took us to the other side of the mountain where we found a valley of fresh powder. Hit that several times before lunch before breaking for a thousand yen pasta-and-meat-sauce-topped-with-deep-fried-pork-cutlet. They kept going but I was getting tired so I took some on-piste runs and called it a day.
Headed back to the Full Note and did the pre-dinner onsen, got the fireplace running, and sat around reading.
Weather was sunny so folks weren't expecting fresh powder, and thus planned on a late start. More drunken debauchery downstairs; cheap dinner wine, prune juice and vodka, etc. Several UDI's (Unidentified Drinking Injuries).
to hokkaido
Got up at 4am, which technically can't be called 'morning' because it was pitch dark.
Scootered over to the Westin and found Dev. Waited for Binnie and finally saw a tall white guy running down the street. We grabbed a cab to Haneda airport, rallied the troops, and flew to Chitose Airport in Hokkaido. Switched on a bus and drove through the expansive nothingness of Hokkaido to Niseko. Lots and lots of not much. And snow. Kind of reminded me of Wyoming.
Got to the Full Note, checked in, got our rooms, grabbed some lunch at Pow-Pow and hit the slopes. Snow was falling, wind was blowing, and visibility sucked. But the powder was stupendous. Boarded all afternoon, bought some new googles, and called it a day.
Back to Full Note for dinner and relaxing by the fire, watching the snow fall. Some folks went out drinking, I stayed by the fire to finish reading.
Scootered over to the Westin and found Dev. Waited for Binnie and finally saw a tall white guy running down the street. We grabbed a cab to Haneda airport, rallied the troops, and flew to Chitose Airport in Hokkaido. Switched on a bus and drove through the expansive nothingness of Hokkaido to Niseko. Lots and lots of not much. And snow. Kind of reminded me of Wyoming.
Got to the Full Note, checked in, got our rooms, grabbed some lunch at Pow-Pow and hit the slopes. Snow was falling, wind was blowing, and visibility sucked. But the powder was stupendous. Boarded all afternoon, bought some new googles, and called it a day.
Back to Full Note for dinner and relaxing by the fire, watching the snow fall. Some folks went out drinking, I stayed by the fire to finish reading.
highlands ranch, co
My brother the yuppie buys a house in the suburbs with with wife, kid, dog. American dream comes true:
led traffic lights
Slowly but surely the Tokyo government continues its devious plot to replace the ineffective standard traffic lights with bright, clear led ones. First is was the main strip of Ginza, and then I noticed that the lights at Furukawabashi Crossing are now led. Even in direct sunlight it's totally obvious which light is lit, and when not lit they are near black. Each color seems to made of concentric circles of perhaps 100 individual leds. I am assuming they are lower power and longer lasting than traditional bulb lights. And such a vibrant green! Really, technology is just so cool.
catch-22 ?
Do you deserve to be sorrounded by your fellow morons, or do the morons around you not recognize the fact that you don't belong there?
I remember, at an impressionable young age, my wisen'd father telling me about How The World Is:
"The average person is: average. And that's pretty dumb. Think about it. An average grade is a 'C'. Think about your fellow classmates who consistently get C's. They are morons. They are average."
The Curse of the Bell Curve? The cruel irony of being two standard deviations right of the norm?
I remember, at an impressionable young age, my wisen'd father telling me about How The World Is:
"The average person is: average. And that's pretty dumb. Think about it. An average grade is a 'C'. Think about your fellow classmates who consistently get C's. They are morons. They are average."
The Curse of the Bell Curve? The cruel irony of being two standard deviations right of the norm?
testing
By some miracle I managed to get up early enough to get to Toritsudai and attend am practice. Even had about 40 minutes all by myself in front of the mirror when everyone was eating lunch. Only 13 people tested for shodan and nidan, including Presley-kun. Thankfully everyone passed, though Ando-sensei had about 3 million points to make after the test.
Niina-gosoke was suffering from hay fever and stressing over the cost of remodelling the honbu dojo, trying to figure out how to cut the price down ("We'll put in the mirrors ourselves!") so after the test I went home to discover that Hiroko had succeeded in the string bean mision and had made a giant batch of mama's famous carmelized-onions-and-string-beans fake chopped liver dip. Don't worry about how strange that sounds, trust me it's stunningly good.
She also cooked up a storm as is the Sunday evening tradition, so we ate like royalty and watched dumb Japanese tv.
Niina-gosoke was suffering from hay fever and stressing over the cost of remodelling the honbu dojo, trying to figure out how to cut the price down ("We'll put in the mirrors ourselves!") so after the test I went home to discover that Hiroko had succeeded in the string bean mision and had made a giant batch of mama's famous carmelized-onions-and-string-beans fake chopped liver dip. Don't worry about how strange that sounds, trust me it's stunningly good.
She also cooked up a storm as is the Sunday evening tradition, so we ate like royalty and watched dumb Japanese tv.
apartments
Did some errands in the morning and then Shimizu-chan from Roy Organization picked us up and we went to look at a bunch of apartments. The first one, in Mita, was the owner's own place on the top floor of a slick building. Stunning view; Tokyo Tower, private club's Japanese garden, 270 panoramic with nothing coming even close to the apartment's 16th floor. However, it was definitely a single-guy pad. Huge bathroom with window that looked into the living room (for unobstructed views), a steam sauna, a window in the bedroom looking into the tatami room next to it (again for unobstructed views), and one giant, square main room. With stunningly tacky furniture. Nice, for someone, but not us.
Next was Chanex; actually quite a killer apartment: huge balcony, huge carpeted master bedroom with huge walk-in closet, huge kitchen with all GE appliances, huge carpeted living-dining room, and all the trimmings like central air, oven, fridge, washer/dryer. Alas, the bathroom was one of those horrible unit-baths: a solid piece of molded plastic for the wallsfloorceilingsinktoiletshowertub. Totally out-of-place and just ruined the whole apartment.
After that we checked out a typically nice Japanese place right behind Ebisu Garden Place (a bit TOO close to work.) It was perfectly normal; air-conditioner in every room, dark wood doors and trim, nice Japanese bath. Narrow stair climb up to the 2nd floor entrance, quite residential neighborhood, nice Japanese "system kitchen" (no oven.) Not thrilling at all, but Hiroko liked it.
Then we saw an old apartment on the 9th floor of an old mansion (condo building). One of these typical old-school Japanese half-ass buildings: nice lobby, elevator up to 9th floor, then walk outside past all the front doors (like a motel.) Problem was this apartment was on the very end, and the overhead ended just before the front door, meaning in the rain you'd have to open your umbrella again just to get into your front door. Big place, but...strange. Huge roof balcony, except for the giant air-vent right in the middle, making the whole space impractical. Big main room with a ceiling split at inopportune places with massive ceiling beams. Two carpeted rooms, plus a 'walk-in closet' which was just a third small, windowless room (no racks for clothing or anything.) Typical nice bathroom. The kitchen was big and old; a long metal counter with a sink at one end, the stove at the other, and basically some old-school cabinets and a bunch of open space, in the middle of which must go the refrigerator.
Then we checked out a bunch of apartments in Roppongi. Location was right across the street from Roppongi Hills, and was kind of noisy. Apartments were okay; spacious, two bathrooms (one in the master bedroom) that were typical western toilet/shower/bath/sink but not horrible unit baths, and for some reason all the closets had locks with keys (but none of the internal doors had locks.)
Finally we headed to Motoazabu, a short walk from Azabujyuban, to check out Casa Blanca. As expected, it was white. The entrance hall echoed madly and even had a stained-glass window, adding to the church-like experience. Stepping through the front door there's a monstrous genkan (entrance hall) with cool wooden doors covering mountains of closet space. Then through a big glass door into the carpeted main living-dining. Huge, south facing, and lovely. The kitchen was...odd. Orange floor, red tiles, white cabinets that were probably original, washer and dryer, stove and oven that were definitely new. The first bathroom had brown wallpaper that could only be called heinous. The two bedrooms were carpeted and spacious, with good closet space, too. The bathroom was blue-tiled; sink, toilet, sunken recess with shower, and sunken tub. Could seriously use at least a shower curtain. The balcony stretched from the main room around to the master bedroom. It was spacious enough, but only accessible by climbing out the window. Central air, excellent light, I loved it. Hiroko would have nothing to do with it: kitchen and bathroom were unacceptable, carpet color and bathroom wallpaper NG. Location was perfect, size was great...oh well.
I love looking at apartments. Hiroko absolutely hates it, but she must realize by now that if she doesn't actively participate in the process we'd end up in Casa Blanca and she'd have to kill me.
Next was Chanex; actually quite a killer apartment: huge balcony, huge carpeted master bedroom with huge walk-in closet, huge kitchen with all GE appliances, huge carpeted living-dining room, and all the trimmings like central air, oven, fridge, washer/dryer. Alas, the bathroom was one of those horrible unit-baths: a solid piece of molded plastic for the wallsfloorceilingsinktoiletshowertub. Totally out-of-place and just ruined the whole apartment.
After that we checked out a typically nice Japanese place right behind Ebisu Garden Place (a bit TOO close to work.) It was perfectly normal; air-conditioner in every room, dark wood doors and trim, nice Japanese bath. Narrow stair climb up to the 2nd floor entrance, quite residential neighborhood, nice Japanese "system kitchen" (no oven.) Not thrilling at all, but Hiroko liked it.
Then we saw an old apartment on the 9th floor of an old mansion (condo building). One of these typical old-school Japanese half-ass buildings: nice lobby, elevator up to 9th floor, then walk outside past all the front doors (like a motel.) Problem was this apartment was on the very end, and the overhead ended just before the front door, meaning in the rain you'd have to open your umbrella again just to get into your front door. Big place, but...strange. Huge roof balcony, except for the giant air-vent right in the middle, making the whole space impractical. Big main room with a ceiling split at inopportune places with massive ceiling beams. Two carpeted rooms, plus a 'walk-in closet' which was just a third small, windowless room (no racks for clothing or anything.) Typical nice bathroom. The kitchen was big and old; a long metal counter with a sink at one end, the stove at the other, and basically some old-school cabinets and a bunch of open space, in the middle of which must go the refrigerator.
Then we checked out a bunch of apartments in Roppongi. Location was right across the street from Roppongi Hills, and was kind of noisy. Apartments were okay; spacious, two bathrooms (one in the master bedroom) that were typical western toilet/shower/bath/sink but not horrible unit baths, and for some reason all the closets had locks with keys (but none of the internal doors had locks.)
Finally we headed to Motoazabu, a short walk from Azabujyuban, to check out Casa Blanca. As expected, it was white. The entrance hall echoed madly and even had a stained-glass window, adding to the church-like experience. Stepping through the front door there's a monstrous genkan (entrance hall) with cool wooden doors covering mountains of closet space. Then through a big glass door into the carpeted main living-dining. Huge, south facing, and lovely. The kitchen was...odd. Orange floor, red tiles, white cabinets that were probably original, washer and dryer, stove and oven that were definitely new. The first bathroom had brown wallpaper that could only be called heinous. The two bedrooms were carpeted and spacious, with good closet space, too. The bathroom was blue-tiled; sink, toilet, sunken recess with shower, and sunken tub. Could seriously use at least a shower curtain. The balcony stretched from the main room around to the master bedroom. It was spacious enough, but only accessible by climbing out the window. Central air, excellent light, I loved it. Hiroko would have nothing to do with it: kitchen and bathroom were unacceptable, carpet color and bathroom wallpaper NG. Location was perfect, size was great...oh well.
I love looking at apartments. Hiroko absolutely hates it, but she must realize by now that if she doesn't actively participate in the process we'd end up in Casa Blanca and she'd have to kill me.
slow and lame
Finally made it to Gosoke's friday evening practice -- haven't gone in a while because of snowboarding. Realized yet again just how painfully slow and lame I am, especially compared to Ohtsuka-san and everyone else who goes every week and practices every day. Luckily it's not a competition, but I'm bummed at how hard it is to progress, especially when I spend all my time teaching.
Also need to motivate Ted (actually Ted has to motivate his artist-hippie dude) to get my new sword furniture made so that I can get a new handle made. This short handle is killing me as I shred all the skin off my left thumb from having too small a grip.
Will be very psyched when the Honbu Dojo is open in April. At least then I'll have a place to practice on my own whenever I have time. However Gosoke's grand plans have to considerably scaled down; the interior reform costs are way higher than we can afford. Probably have to forget the tatami and all the nice touches, just stick to the useful basics like a good wooden floor and high ceiling. We'll also probably put up the mirrors ourselves; tenth the cost of having the professionals do it.
Also need to motivate Ted (actually Ted has to motivate his artist-hippie dude) to get my new sword furniture made so that I can get a new handle made. This short handle is killing me as I shred all the skin off my left thumb from having too small a grip.
Will be very psyched when the Honbu Dojo is open in April. At least then I'll have a place to practice on my own whenever I have time. However Gosoke's grand plans have to considerably scaled down; the interior reform costs are way higher than we can afford. Probably have to forget the tatami and all the nice touches, just stick to the useful basics like a good wooden floor and high ceiling. We'll also probably put up the mirrors ourselves; tenth the cost of having the professionals do it.
karaoke
Good thing I just went home, ate, and slept last night! Seems the team was out for dinner, karaoke, and ramen, and didn't get in until 4:30am.
Folks started straggling in late-morning, looking and sounding like ass. Hani's comment: "I don't think Brad's been out until 4am since college." He's such a trooper. Moka's morning email was cute, too: "Overslept. Be in soon." I told him "Dude, it's not like you forgot to set your alarm clock, you were out drinking until 4 am! I didn't exactly expect y'all to make it in, that's why I came in early." He's still got quite a bit to learn about moring-after excuses.
Folks started straggling in late-morning, looking and sounding like ass. Hani's comment: "I don't think Brad's been out until 4am since college." He's such a trooper. Moka's morning email was cute, too: "Overslept. Be in soon." I told him "Dude, it's not like you forgot to set your alarm clock, you were out drinking until 4 am! I didn't exactly expect y'all to make it in, that's why I came in early." He's still got quite a bit to learn about moring-after excuses.
last practice
With testing on Sunday, this was the last chance to run Takahashi-san and Presley-kun through practice. Nakayama-kun cranked on Presley-kun; poor guy, but Nakayama-san knows his stuff. His best quote: "I don't mean to brag, but I know of what I speak. After all, I'm one of the only members to have failed the shodan test!"
Also had three visitors checking out class so Sekido's wife gave them the explanation. First two guys where students at the dental college down the street, who probably just wanted to check it out but had no real interest in making a commitment to practice. Third guy was most likely a spy. He said he practices Eishinryu, so he's most likely ZNKR (All Japan Kendo Federation). We get spies every now and then checking us out; how many members do we have, what/how do we teach, etc. We had 4 4dan instructors in class so at the very least I think we gave him the impression that if they were thinking of doing some "dojo-busting" they'd be in for a tough time.
Also had three visitors checking out class so Sekido's wife gave them the explanation. First two guys where students at the dental college down the street, who probably just wanted to check it out but had no real interest in making a commitment to practice. Third guy was most likely a spy. He said he practices Eishinryu, so he's most likely ZNKR (All Japan Kendo Federation). We get spies every now and then checking us out; how many members do we have, what/how do we teach, etc. We had 4 4dan instructors in class so at the very least I think we gave him the impression that if they were thinking of doing some "dojo-busting" they'd be in for a tough time.
pullin' teeth
Nice weather from the weekend went somewhere in a hurry. Wasn't too cold, but wasn't exactly warm either, and the cold wind didn't help. Visitor from NY at work this week so pretty busy, and then practice after work -- bunch of folks testing this weekend so ran through a fake test and schooled on some of the finer points.
Came back and Hiroko had her upper left wisdom tooth in a little bag on the coffee table. Seems it came out with no problem, but the upper left one might be more trouble as it's in kinda crooked, and that's the side that got kind of messed up when she got hit by some idiot on a bicycle all those years ago. The lower wisdom teeth are a whole different issue. Getting those things out will require some gnarly surgery. Don't even wanna think about it.
Came back and Hiroko had her upper left wisdom tooth in a little bag on the coffee table. Seems it came out with no problem, but the upper left one might be more trouble as it's in kinda crooked, and that's the side that got kind of messed up when she got hit by some idiot on a bicycle all those years ago. The lower wisdom teeth are a whole different issue. Getting those things out will require some gnarly surgery. Don't even wanna think about it.
nozawa sun and no snow
Well the weather continued to be fine, but the snow sucked and the gondola lifts were closed due to strong winds. I braved the lines for 45 minutes to get one slushy, crappy run in before calling it a day.
Most folks came back from karaoke between 1 and 4 in the morning, so they weren't really into the concept of hitting the mountain anyway.
We packed up our stuff, sent gear to Niseko in Hokkaido, and went into town. Took the Sketchy Chairlift down into town and hit the onsen before grabbing the bus back to Nagano station. Very cool town; steep narrow streets with old, local onsen all over the place. Hana-chan tried one of the little local onsen, and we headed up to one of the bigger ones near a hotel.
Made it back down to the bus stop and by 1:30 everyone made it on the bus -- no one bothered to stay the whole day.
Back at Nagano we knew we couldn't change our tickets so we just took over a non-reserved car on an earlier train, made nasty faces whenever anyone tried to sit near us, and we were back in Tokyo by 5pm.
Most folks came back from karaoke between 1 and 4 in the morning, so they weren't really into the concept of hitting the mountain anyway.
We packed up our stuff, sent gear to Niseko in Hokkaido, and went into town. Took the Sketchy Chairlift down into town and hit the onsen before grabbing the bus back to Nagano station. Very cool town; steep narrow streets with old, local onsen all over the place. Hana-chan tried one of the little local onsen, and we headed up to one of the bigger ones near a hotel.
Made it back down to the bus stop and by 1:30 everyone made it on the bus -- no one bothered to stay the whole day.
Back at Nagano we knew we couldn't change our tickets so we just took over a non-reserved car on an earlier train, made nasty faces whenever anyone tried to sit near us, and we were back in Tokyo by 5pm.
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