Japan update!!!
2010-07-23 13:39:33
Above center pic: Sensei locks horns with former King of the Cage Champion & Black Belt Takumi Nakayama Sensei of Paraestra BJJ. He is a student of the Shooto Legend Yuki Nakai Sensei. His Jiu Jitsu is superb, a lot of fireworks in the Dojo that night. We brought the entire academy to a standstill with the most beautiful display of high level randori.
OSU!
Hello everyone, miss you guys a lot, I hope and pray all is well with you and your families.
I am sure that your remaining steadfast and training hard, awaiting my return so you can show your freshly polished skills. I made it to Japan after a looooooooong flight and let me tell you, first hand, it is truly a unique place. From drink machines on every other corner to underground, under the ground & actually way underground shopping markets to toilets that clean you after you finish, to large turtles chillin out on crowded corners for no reason, to adults playing arcade games until 4AM to a huge rollercoaster right across the street from my hotel and intertwining with the city buildings, to the best food you ever tasted being served from a old women in a restaurant the size of a closet, to people refusing to cross the street even at 2 or 3am because the walk sign is still red and there's not even one car in sight for as far as the eye can see!!! Yes, Japan is cool & crazy but thats not even the half.
Since I have been here doing daily Musha Shugyo I've had the opportunity to train with many top exponents and have had several talks on true Budo with fellow brothers of the Science.
The insights have been monumental thus far to say the least. Training is arduous and intense.
In the BJJ Academies I visited, there is no waterbreaks, matches are longer, there is absolutely NO talking on the mats, there are pre & post warm ups both of which are killer, plus Im sure the heat was turned up on every excercise due to my presence, you know... instead of 25 jumpsquats today we do 55, or instead of the usuall 30 knuckle push ups today we do 80 or let's hold that back bridge for another 7 minutes, however I'm a student of Sifu Ralph Mitchell and he taught me how to go through all "doors". That's just what we do, we're from Brooklyn. Musha Shugyo is not for the feint of heart.
My work ethic earned the deepest respect from all at every Dojo. The Budokan's name is now strong and held with high honor and respect in Japan, not the Budokan in Tokyo that hosted the Beatles in the 70's, the one in Valley Stream New York. Budokan is in the house!!!
As for Iaido let's just say theres no words which can describe its reverence in Japan, Iai can not be described, only felt and experienced.
This week I'm going for the big dogs, the Kodokan for Judo, yes, Judo and the Butokuden in Kyoto for more Iaido. I will tell you that I have been received with open arms & welcomed back in every Dojo, Academy or Tera ji thus far. It's not because of skill only, it's because real recognizes real, true Budo is not Japanese, it's Universal, it belongs to no one, it is found in one place only....the kokoro.
Osu
Sensei
P.S. More updates if time permits, if not i'll c u when i return.
