February 18th 2012.

I woke at 7, aiming to leave at 8 and arrive and 9:30. I didn't realize that the snow had fallen again in the night.

I scoffed breakfast and left at 7:30, I didn't arrive until nearly 11 am...

The snow was pretty heavy to be fair, about 6-10 cm. Beautiful to look at in the early morning! The roads were still icy at that stage of the morning bur I thought it would be ok once I hit the more well travelled routes.

I saw my first crash inside a minute. Out in the massive STRAIGHT dual carrage way that essentially is this town, a car had managed to swerve into a lamppost. How, I have not idea.

It got worse. Most people were driving sensibly, ie slowly. But some people were still taking off like lunatics at traffic lights, wheels spinning on the ice fighting for grip. The next incident was on the bridge leading to Itako, two kei-trucks had a stopped on each lane of the bridge, one has collided with the barrier, skidding at the slight bend in the bridge. It ment traffic had to snake around them to cross the icy slope. On the opposite side, 4 large trucks had simply stopped at the foot of the bridge, assumedly so as not to risk crashing. This caused a tail back for a good few kilometers... and at that point I realized I wouldn't be able to turn back.

I continued on my way and saw at least 5 other serious accidents. I really do not understand how they crashed on such straight roads. Especially this truck, surely driving a petrol tanker requires an enormous amount of skill and qualification (my dad studied for a few weeks to get his hazChem license, despite having years of experience droning articulated lorries).

How he crashed like this, I don't know...

Anyway, it took me nearly two hours to get where it took me only 30 mins the last time! Once clear of Itako things started to get better, the snow was little more than sludge here and handnt fallen nearly as thick, the further north i went the less snow and more sunshine. I called Nabeyama Sensei at 9:30 to explain the situation and he said not to worry.

I arrived at 10:40 roughly 3 hours (last time was half that). There was a shiai in progress as I arrived, and Nabeyama Sensei had me change and go inside the dojo to watch. I sat near the other students, just slightly behind them. The kendo was very good, teams made up d students and what I assume were old boys who still lived in the area, members from Japan Rail, Fuji Xerox were easily identifiable. As well as one member of the Japanese kendo team. Not a Teramoto or Takanabe, but a younger kenshi. Kawai was his name, I guess in his 20's going by his kendo and physical build. He was strong, not alot stronger than some of the university students though. Perhaps he is a younger member, a promising talent, winner of a few taikai at hs and university level who gets to attend the team practices? I don't really know!

The highlight for me was getting to watch Murakami again, he scored a kote so fast that I couldn't get it on film! I pressed plaint hajime, and missed it. Amazing!

After the taikai there was keiko. I dashed to get my men on and made it to be third in line for Sakai Sensei, the keiko was good, I was trying out some new "moves" and Sensei managed to absolutely make shite if each and everyone of them. Amazingly strong!

I followed that with keiko with Nabeyama Sensei, this keiko was not as good as i was trying to hard to impress. He destroyed me, I did uchikomi at the end and kirikaeshi to wrap it up.

I then qued for the oldster of the guest Sensei, Ishii Sensei. He was quite old, but amazing. He battered me. I tried to give it everything, diving in kakarigeiko style rather than trying to fight. Everytime I cut him and went was he would hit me from behind, either the head, back or arse, I was too slow!
He really pushed me hard, my chest was biting after that keiko!

It was just coming to time over and I spotted Murakami, standing back not practicing. I made a beeline for him but the drum went as I got there. I asked him for kirikaeshi anyway. It was the last practice foe the kendo club, so there is a distinct possibility that I was the last person to hit his men while he was a university student!!

Keiko finishes with suburi, 50 men, and 50 hiya-suburi while wearing your bogu. I was banjaxed after wards!

Sakai Sensei didn't give any advice, just thanks, Nabeyama Sensei was busy so I went to Ishii Sensei.

I got most of what he said, amazingly!
He said that I shouldnt rest in keiko, especially not in a keiko like that, where you have have too line up. He said to attack attack attack, do as many keiko as possible, exhaust yourself, and esspecially in the last keiko give everything. He pointed specifically to my cutting after turning, saying that it was too slow (something echoing what Akiyama Sensei said to me during the week)

I wont make excuses, I'll just say that the floor there is extremely slippy, I found it hard to push off without loosing the left foot, and turning lead to sliding backwards half the time. It showed up my bad footwork, and balance.
Akiyama Sensei said I wasn't turning fast enough on wednesday. So I know what I have to work on this week!

Overall it was a great visit. I learned alot, more motivation and inspiration to take with me too. I look forward to going back again in the new school year!

The drive home was completely uneventful, the weather was stunning infact. I had the window open most of the way and Led Zeppelin blaring.

I stopped at the Tsukuba space centre for a photo on the way. Meh. I've seen bigger.

So, I decided to wear mine at training in two of my Dojo where its a bit less formal.

Right, well thats all done and dusted. Felt amazing at keiko tonight, so relaxed, completey stress free, I can now focus on enjoying myself before the WKC nerves kick in!

I have been working on using my wrists more ever since my first practice with Yanai Sensei in Japan, The main sensei at his dojo gave me great advice on cutting men. I have made some great improvements to my suburi, but in Keiko I still find it difficult to appply correctly.

Two people gave me hints and tips tonight, Kanai Sensei's daughter (who is just back from tearing her cruciate ligament) and Matsuzawa sans younger brother.

First, Kanai Yuriko: When doing suburi, hold the shinai with the right hand a little closer to the left. Let the wrists bounce slightly when cutting men. Obviously you dont want to loosen your grip too much, and you should still cut with proper speed and "shikari" (the Japanese for solid/firm/stable, I think it means to complete a cut, in kendo terms...) This will help loosen the wrists before keiko and allow you to learn propper tenouchi. Also extend the arms fully for each cut. The kensen should bounce similar to Chiba Sensei's style of suburi.

Matsuzawa Kouji:
His kendo was great, only 17, really upright body and straight shoulders. His advice was to grip the shinai with both hands on the end, and make a figure of 8 around the body, keeping the hands roughly around the same height as in normal Kamae. He said to do this every single day. Hopefully this will loosed my wrists up, which despite me being able to relax my shoulders, I lack flexibility in!

Today I passed my Kendo Sandan Shinsa in Mito City. YATA! Sandan is the Third Dan rank in kendo. It requires you to train for at least 2 years after your second Dan.

I drove to Mito this morning and met Suzuki Sensei and a few others from my Dojo, as well as a few others from Kamisu. I stuck with Tanigichi San for the day as we would be grading together.

The event started at 9 with Shodan (1st) followed by Nidan (2nd). I spent that time getting warmed up and setting my head right!

There were more than 100 candidates for both Shodan (1) and Nidan (2) up to nearly 120. With just under 70 for Sandan (3), and more than 60 for both Yon (4) and Godan (5). Thats around 400!

I had to do one keiko, and wait while two others did theirs for my second. The first went ok, I was quite nervous but I made sure to go go go for Men (attack to the head) after we started, we both stood kiai-ed inched in and bang, ai-men, and we absolutly smashed into each other, after that it was tit for tat, I got kote, men and kote men, and he got the same. My second Keiko was a little better as I had a chance to let the adrenaline settle and bring myself back upder control. This time I managed to get the first men in! After that it was the same again, we both got plenty of opportunities to attack, and I got a nice enough kaeshi do (catching and deflecting his strike to the head, and returning the strike across the his body) towards the end, I made him come for men, but maybe the do wasnt the prettiest!

After that there was roughly a 30 min wait for Kata to begin. Kata means form in Japanese, and in kendo it is an exercise for two people using wooden swords called bokken, the kata have two roles with one person striking first and the other making counter attacks. We don't wear protective equipment, and you must stop your cuts before they hit the target! There are 7 with a long sword and 3 using a short sword, for my test I had to perform the 7 long sword kata.

Again we lined up and had to wait maybe 30-40 mins while the shodan and nidan did theirs. I was in a set of 5 pairs, me being in the 4th pair, thus far away from the sensei! but then it changed!!
The three pairs in frount of us went first and another 3 pairs were added behind us! SO I was right in front of the Sensei.

To be honest, I really enjoy Kata, I find it much easier to relax and yet at the same time completely focus myself on every movement. Ive learned alot about the subtlties of Kata this year, so I wanted to show that in my shinsa. My aite was a little bit more nervous being in front of the Sensei, but after the 1st kata he calmed down alot and we performed pretty well. We were the only pair not to have to redo no 3!

As a side note, the level of kata was extremely poor in my opinion. ALOT of sandan candidates made some silly mistakes and had to stop and restart, whether it was pressure or just a lack of practice, I dont know....

After that was the written exam, which was simple, "Explain the benefits of Kiai" (the screaming and shouting in kendo) and "Write about the 3 Maai in Kendo" (the 3 distances). Pretty basic in my opinion. I also noted that Shodan did not have to take a written test. The test was done sitting on the floor, and afterwards you had to take it to be corrected by a Sensei, they could ask you to re do it, or write more of they thought you had to!

When handing in my paper there was a lady Sensei there who had good English, She translated what I had written, (as well as the other Foreigner who was there) and the Sensei gave me the ok.

At this time, there were a lot of people around the Sensei, and he took a moment to say "John-san, jibun no kata ha ichiban kirei, subarashkata" "Mr John, your Kata was the most beautiful, splendid"

He actually said the word splendid! Amazing, thanks to Kobayashi Sensei at Jikishinkan for helping me with my Kata!!

So that was it, all over, quicker than I thought! The jigeiko were over in a flash, the kata was quick and painless, the written test didnt take long at all, and I was back in Kamisu and all by 5.

Anyway thats enough about me.

Id like to thank YOU, who ever you maybe for helping me along this path to this stage. Either directly or indirectly, by instruction or inspiration, by friendship or rivalry, thank you for your help! I have been practicing Kendo for 4 years now, and it has truly become part of my life, I have met some wonderful people who have helped me to reach this goal with their patience teaching and friendship, and I hope that we can continue to motivate and inspire each other on to great achievements.
A big thank you to my "Family" at Dublin Kendo Kobukai, and to all involved in Irish Kendo. All of the Sensei who have helped me or bullied me into doing things right, and a special mention to the members of Takasaki City University of Economics Kendo Club.

Though they may not know it, and might not ever read this blog, the week I spent training there a year and a half ago helped me to reach the point I am at today. Their spirit and aggression in training was and unbelievable inspiration for me, they gave everything for every single cut and every single movement, being completely exhausted after training. Amazing, I really tried to emulate it, pushing themselves to the end, kiaiing with everything they had for every cut and never stopping for a break, It was a constand source of inspiration for me it helped my kendo to improve alot.

My advice for what its worth, to anyone who is at my level. Give absoltely everything you have in training, every cut, every kiai, every exercise, and every keiko, its hard, and it hurts, and afterwards you will be exhausted, but it will help you to reach a new level in your kendo.

Anyway, thats enough out of me, Thank you again for helping me, and for reading my nonsense.

Thanks guys!

Ehh, Il get cracking on those other two questions soon....

I got some fantastic news this morning, and I hope it will be the boost I need to get me through the Sandan test on Sunday.

I have been selected to represent Ireland at the World Kendo Championships 2012 in Novarra Italy.
I have been doing kendo for essentially 4 years (since Feb 2008) and since the WKC in Brazil I have made it my goal to represent Ireland as often as possible. I had great luck going to Hungary, unfortunately I couldnt afford to go to Poland (after what was probably my best run in for any competition) and I thought that by leaving Ireland I wouldnt get the chance to represent my country for a while.

This is an absolute dream come true for me and I am going to do my best to make the most of it. Its an absolute honor and a privilege to represent your country and its something not many people get the opportunity to do. So

Ganbarimasu! Ill do my best! Sli and Cliamh!

also, my Sandan is on this Sunday. This weeks keiko has been a mixed bag. Ive been trying to pump myself up, get the head really focused, keep moving forwards and not moving backwards.

So many things are wrong with my Kendo at the moment, Im not pushing though on cuts, im using my right arm, im not finishing cuts with good zanshin, Ive lost the ability to turn propperly, im not stringing attacks together, im too tense, im too slow because im too tense, im thinking too much and its making me tense... everyone is trying to help, which is making me tense.

I know my kendo is better than what im showing at the moment, I know its all in my head, I just hope I snap out of it before or on Sunday (I think the pressure will force me to perform well)

I have to go into it with the Idea of Shodachi - first point, I have to go in with the idea that this is my last chance, this is it, dont let the opportunity pass you by.

I have to relax...