Friday, June 13th, in the evening
As most of my readers out there know, I have been studying and training in Kodokan Judo for the past 8 years, and recently was promoted to shodan (1st degree black belt). As the birthplace of Judo, Japan has been a magnet for my interest for the past decade, as I sought to improve my skills and learn more about Judo.
Friday night, I finally was able to go the Kodokan Judo Institute, which is the World Headquarters for Judo and train with judoka them. In the above picture, it is the 8 story building directly behind me with the Japanese writing and the white/red emblem. For more information about the Kodokan, or to take a virtual tour, please see the following link: www.kodokan.org. Friday night from 6-8 is a free sparring time for black belts. I went there with two fellow FMFers, who sat in the stands and photographed my randori, or free-sparring (I’ll have to update the blog next week when I see them again. They are in a different prefecture and I didn’t have a chance to download the pics. Check back later).
I fought a variety of individuals for two hours straight, the ages of whom ranged from early twenties to one man who had to be in his 70s. I held my own, and often was much more aggressive and able to throw my opponents, and/or submit them on the ground. I got a lot of arm bars on people that night. That’s not to say, however, that I didn’t meet any challenges. I fought two individuals in particular who were obviously more skilled than others—faster and stronger—and they did throw me…often…. But they were the only two people to throw me that night, and they are both instructors at the Kodokan. So, on the whole, I was very pleased with my training experience there, and feel confident that the training I have received both in Oregon at the Oregon Martial Arts, and in Connecticut at New Britain Judo and Karate has been quality instruction.
I had a dream, and it came true. I played Judo at the Kodokan, bought a black belt there that will be the most memorable souvenir I take back, and met many skilled Japanese opponents who shared the joy of judo with me, letting sport be the bridge between our different languages and cultures.
As most of my readers out there know, I have been studying and training in Kodokan Judo for the past 8 years, and recently was promoted to shodan (1st degree black belt). As the birthplace of Judo, Japan has been a magnet for my interest for the past decade, as I sought to improve my skills and learn more about Judo.
Friday night, I finally was able to go the Kodokan Judo Institute, which is the World Headquarters for Judo and train with judoka them. In the above picture, it is the 8 story building directly behind me with the Japanese writing and the white/red emblem. For more information about the Kodokan, or to take a virtual tour, please see the following link: www.kodokan.org. Friday night from 6-8 is a free sparring time for black belts. I went there with two fellow FMFers, who sat in the stands and photographed my randori, or free-sparring (I’ll have to update the blog next week when I see them again. They are in a different prefecture and I didn’t have a chance to download the pics. Check back later).
I fought a variety of individuals for two hours straight, the ages of whom ranged from early twenties to one man who had to be in his 70s. I held my own, and often was much more aggressive and able to throw my opponents, and/or submit them on the ground. I got a lot of arm bars on people that night. That’s not to say, however, that I didn’t meet any challenges. I fought two individuals in particular who were obviously more skilled than others—faster and stronger—and they did throw me…often…. But they were the only two people to throw me that night, and they are both instructors at the Kodokan. So, on the whole, I was very pleased with my training experience there, and feel confident that the training I have received both in Oregon at the Oregon Martial Arts, and in Connecticut at New Britain Judo and Karate has been quality instruction.
I had a dream, and it came true. I played Judo at the Kodokan, bought a black belt there that will be the most memorable souvenir I take back, and met many skilled Japanese opponents who shared the joy of judo with me, letting sport be the bridge between our different languages and cultures.
Around the corner from the Kodokan is this statue of the founder of Judo, Dr. Jigoro Kano. While I was trying to have this picture taken, at least 15 people walked by, stopped, stood at attention and bowed to Kano.
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