Hutt Kendo Club News

Sue and Liz in Japan
On 8 Nov. 2002 club instructor Liz and sempai Sue went to Japan for 3 weeks. This trip is for Liz to challenge for 6th dan. It will also be an opportunity for them to see many old friends that they made when they both lived in Japan (Sue 17 yrs. ago and Liz 10 yrs. ago).

So far they have practised at Butokuden dojo (a very ancient dojo in Kyoto) on Nov. 9 and Sue met Kawabata Sensei from her old dojo Kodokan dojo and a 6th dan friend called Kishimoto from 20 years ago. This dojo hosts the famous Gogatsu Taikai.

They continued their journey via Nara to Tokyo and since then have been training at Shinjuku Kendo Renmei (Ozawa Sensei 8th dan). They have been assisted in their trip by Liz's good friend Hiroko Hayashi (6th dan). They are also training at Shuseikan dojo in Shinanomachi and have thus spent a lot of time carting Kendo bogu around Tokyo in between sight seeing.

One day they went to the Nippon Budokan for a special monthly practice where only 8th dans cross the floor. It was fantastic and between them they practised with 9 8th dan sensei.

20 nov 2002
Ongoing news from Sue and Liz's trip to Japan...

Sue got to experience Shinjuku dojo and Ozawa Sensei. We will document on her return the unique experience of fighting with 8th dan sensei (sometimes they let you hit men!).

Liz has been getting much help with everything and even got some kata tips from Doi Sensei Hanshi 8th dan ( NB - this sensei may well be on her grading panel)

Practicing kata at Shinjuku dojo before class is like swimming with sharks. These 8th dan sensei who arrive a 'choto' (little bit) early and watch carefully out of veiled eyes. At first it all seems quite safe. Then they start circling and you see them go 'ahhhhhh' and nod - and that is when you worry. They glide in close and suddenly this strong arm is grabbing whichever part of your anatomy is doing something hideously wrong and you get a 5 minute explanation as to why you are mincing up the magical art of kata. That is a beginning taste of kata at Shinjuku.

On Monday 18th, Liz and Sue got to visit the dojo of a High School in Hikarigaoka. The school is called Hikarigaoka Koko and the dojo Sensei is Hiroko Hayashi 6th dan Renshi! Hiroko is liz's great friend and Japanese 'sister'. It was great to meet with these 16 - 18 yr olds who were preparing for a shiai next week. It was great to share kendo with them and talk about the international family of Kendo, if you go overseas, search the internet, find the local kendo club and take your bogu there and you will be welcomed - remember that.

23 Nov 2002
Latest update...
Visiting your local Boguyasan! This is not a trip to take lightly. Do not do this when you have to be somewhere else in an hour. Do not do this when you want quick responses and fast service. Visiting a boguyasan is an art form in social interaction, gossip and the joy of finding many kendo shinhatsubai (new products). For gaijin it is especially important because you are setting up a relationship for some years.

Liz and Sue have visited two boguyasans in Japan. One is Kawato Bogu who has a website all of his own www.bogu-ya.com We have not had time to visit this site but of greater interest is Shinjis shop itself. It is a 'mess' all of it's own, wall to wall men and other kendo delights for the eye, shinai everywhere and bits n pieces. His omiage (gifts) to our club were some new style dye to make old bogu look new (wish we could have a face dye) and some archilles tendon supporters for prevention. He showed us his shinsa bogu (good quality bogu for beginners) which is a very nice quality we reckon. Anyway he is quite a guy and Hutt Kendo will learn more about him on our return.

Shobudo at the Gotanda exit off the Yamanote sen in Tokyo is also a fab shop. This is the home of true diplomicy. Go there relaxed and mince around admiring all the goodies that make a good kendoka yoware (dribble at the mouth - Sue's new word) and then talk about NZ and Kendo there, about the reason for your visit (this boguyasan has been very kind to Liz in the past with pressies on attaining her 4 and 5th dans. They were mightily interested in Sue's 17 yr old men and provided her with some new himo for it and a nifty way of tieing it. They have a great range of gear and their shinhatsu bai were nifty tsuba dome invented by the boguyasan himself. Again more fab things will be revealed on our return, this is the place where the zekken are being made.

It is now count down for Liz and her grading, 4 days and we have a 2 hour training Sun morning with another 'kokoro' or group of 8th dan sensei and the option of viewing an 8th dan grading on Monday. More Shuseikan training on Mon night with Hiroko Hayashi Sensei and of course the fabulous Shibata family at this underground dojo in Shinanomachi area of Tokyo. In the meantime we have been diverted in our kendo by a trip to Akihabara (electric city) and found a rice cooker and a VIDEO camera finally.

Lotsalove and see everyone soon.

23 Nov 2002
On 27 Nov 1600 wanna be 6th dans arrived in Tokyo Budokan, a sea of shinai and bogu cases throughout the train stations and streets. All in their best and newest gear, the air thick with the smell of indigo from the new dye in their fancy outfits. There were 7 shinsa jo with stern looking sensei on each one (7 in all) and that famous 2x 1 minute was had by all. Liz (who was so nervous she could not sleep the night before) did not let this nor a recently caught kaze (cold) deter her and she put up a brave effort getting 3 maru's (circles of approval) but needed two more to pass.

She, like 1299 other people that day were sadly dissappointed and left to plan more training for yet another challenge to this most difficult grade. The good news for Liz is that she has improved markedly since her last attempt and has even clearer instruction about how to gain this elusive grade. Another great piece of news is that already one of the fab sensei that we have mentioned in one of our news items is seriously thinking of coming to NZ for a holiday and will bring his bogu. He is Shibata Sensei and is a very fine teacher so there will be plenty of notice to others when he comes here. He is a Hanshi Hachidan so well worth turning up to training for.

Last days in Japan and had a sushi party this afternoon after a lovely sento (baths) and off to the Grand Otani hotel in Tokyo tonight to see the top classic guitarist in Japan.