I haven't posted in a while! I've been busy and haven't had much time for kendo. The few practices that I have been to have been mixed. Ive swung between getting totally frustrated during kihon, holding back due to a sore foot, getting

For my birthday this year I bought my self a new men! I did a lot of research and asked around for opinions before making my choice. I finally settled on the men that a lot of my dojo mates both recommended and

The 60th All Japan Kendo Taiaki was held at the Nippon Budokan on November 3rd 2012, I made it to the taikai by 11:30 and had an extremely enjoyable experience despite having to leave and come back due to work. Uchimura vs Kiwada.

Having seen a friends photo I decided to make my own and see how it turned out! I'm a big nabe fan and usually go for miso or kimchi flavor. Miso Curry Nabe and steamed rice For those that don't know Nabe (鍋)

Summer has thankfully passed, the humidity has lifted and the temperature is a much more pleasant 20-ish degrees. Japans autumn weather is really beautiful, and reminds me a lot of Irish summer! This nice weather will last a few weeks before it gets

I took part in the Shibuya Taikai on Sunday 21st of October representing Michi no Ko in both individual and team competitions. I had three fights in total, winning two. The first match was in the individual competition, which is split by grade.

Coming up in November is the 60th All Japan Kendo Championships, the event will be held as usual at the Nippon Budokan. I'll be able to attend this year so will be bringing my camera (or borrowing one...) and doing my best to

George McCall owner of the highly popular Kendo and Japanese sword art related site, Kenshi247.net, has just released his new book titled, Kendo Coaching Tips and Drills. I've been reading through a digital copy and I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on the paper

Breif post on some waza! I practiced at IBM again last Saturday, Yamada san took us through a great kihon and waza practice. All waza performed from tip to tip! Attacking men 3 types: Seme using the kensen Step in on the right

As an Interac ALT October is the worst month of the year. Interac pays you one month in arrears, meaning that you get paid for the work you do in August, at the end of September. So I get my lovely summer holiday pay

Some things I have recently eaten! Pint of Heineken there bud  Some fancy Suntory Hibiki Whiskey Turkey leg! Sendai Tanabata 2012 Korean Yakiniku, you can clearly see the garlic. Gasuto Hamburg restaurant. Hamburg steak and Fried Chicken. 600 yen.  Thai place near my station. Red

Today I took the long journey down to Kawasaki to practice Kendo at Sugao Elementary School, Yanai Sensei was not there today, but I still learned alot! Kubota Sensei did ALOT of kihon practice today, there was almost no jigeiko at the end!

So the new school term has begun and with that I'm back to a more regular keiko schedule! I'll be doing my best to make it to 5-6 practices a week depending on work and private lessons. For now I'm practicing at Micho

On Friday I practiced at Hikawa Budojo in Asakasa Tokyo, defiantly one of the more challenging places ive been to practice, with almost triple the amount of Sensei to students..... Keiko started at 6 with 1 hour of Ito-Ryu Kiriotoshi practice. An absolute SAVAGE of an exercise....

I've decided that the first thing I'll spend money on next month is getting my nice kote repalmed (left only). These kote took a severe beating last summer when I only had two pairs. They just wouldn't dry on time! I had them

Tsuchiya Sensei visited Michinoko dojo last night along with a Candian man Mr Stephen Nagy. This was also the first time to practice in Japan for my guest Mr David Pruitt. Tsuchiya Sensei was kind enough to do a basic kihon lesson for

In Ireland I usually preferred a medium to thick "tsuka", shinai handle. The first 2 shinai I bought here in Japan last year were from Eiko-budogu (one of which is still going, barely..) they have a pretty standard sized grip, I used them for around

Well, I just realised that ive had this keikogi for just more than one year! So I decided to give it a RE-Review! I bought this keikogi during the tail end of summer last year and used it up to mid December (I

I'd like comments and feedback if anyone has any ideas!! A long while ago Mr Hide Iba came to Dublin for visit. This was my first opportunity to practice with a Nito player having only once before encountered it (London cup 2009 I

Going to a gasshuku (training camp) in Nikko this weekend with Yanai Sensei. Incoming epic blog post!!! Watch this space!

Kendo World magazine held their first annual Keiko Kai yesterday at the Nippon Budokan. 48 participants from 16 countries gathered together to "Cross swords and Borders" along with a host of Sensei from across Japan. The day began with a stunning display of

Today marks one year from my arrival in Japan. I came here with so many hopes and expectations for life and love, most of which I have reached, some fell away quite abruptly, and others I surpassed! It started with the coming together of