Japanese memories, 1998

The best thing about traveling is the people. But imagine for a minute that you are traveling to new and exotic lands and you meet family that you never knew you had. So it was with our group of nine. (Adrian Swanton, Zoe Clemens, Rachel Maruno, David Swanton, Sven Kristoffersson, Tammy Pilon and Steve Ross, James Johnson, Narumi Shihan, and Ed Hohmann.)

First of all it must be said that, grown up though we all were, going to Japan seemed to turn us all into wide eyed children. At times we needed to be led by the hand. At other times we escaped in twos and threes to discover on our own what it was to be in a strange land with little or no knowledge of the language. We did, however discover that Sake is the unofficial international language in Japan, and mixed with much smiling, laughing and gesturing our fluency in Japanese seemed to improve in direct proportion to the amounts of sake we drank. Rachel, of course, was already fluent and needed no mind enhancing potions, and often came to our rescue, especially at rail stations of which there were many.

We arrived in Tokyo in the early evening, which is a great time to arrive after a long flight. We were all tired and those of us who were not too excited about our adventure slept well. The "boys" stayed at a Ryokan (for the uninitiated - a Japanese Inn which is comfortable and clean, but is more like a Hostel then a North American style Inn). The "girls" were honored by and invitation from Neil Moody and his charming wife, Masako, to stay with them in their beautiful Western style apartment. Neil and Masako put on a wonderful dinner party for the the whole gang, and with Higuchi Sensei and his wife and daughter as guests of honor. We discovered that Rachel is a accomplished pianist and played us a selection on Masako's grand piano. We also learned that Mr. Higuchi's daughter is a Flamenco dance

The good times did not end there, for we continued on the "Nijukai" (second party) at a Japanese Bar where we began to learn that our North American bodies just didn't fit comfortably at the low Japanese tables. We all tried honorably, but there was as much fidgeting as a five-year-old Sunday school group at High Mass. Here, now, we began to learn the etiquette. Some of us learned quickly - others took longer to attain their next kyu status. We began to sample the strange new foods, most of which were wonderful although, often, we preferred not to know what we had just eaten.

Next we discovered that Nijukai was not the end of the evening, but now came "Sanjukai" (third party). What a wonderful idea., and what better to do when in Japan but Karaoke, so on we went to a Karaoke bar where we had our own private room, and sang our little hearts out.

While in Tokyo we were 'wined and dined' at a very exclusive French restaurant by Takagi Sensei (Wado Ryu), and met many of his "wild and crazy" group. That evening we were invited to train with same group, but this time I'm afraid we took the prize in the 'crazy' department, for Adrian showed up with two gi tops and no pants. We suggested that he wear one of the tops as pants, but he said he didn't know whether to fasten it at the front or back, so he trained in his shorts. (No, not his undershorts.) After training we were again taken to a bar, and by now we were a little more familiar with the etiquette, but no more comfortable in the sitting department.

After Tokyo we traveled by train to Niigata. We found the economy seats quite comfortable, but using the 'hole in the floor' toilets on a moving train takes quite a talent.

I believe this is where the 'toilet slippers' that are provided many places, would have come in handy, however they were not supplied on board. One bonus on the train was the curtained off cubicles with sink and mirror so that you could arrive looking fresh and tidy at your destination.

These came in handy for changing into our 'English School Boy' uniforms of gray pants, white shirt and blue blazer so that we could look respectable on arrival.

At Nagaoka Station we were met by Kobayashi Sensei and many "friends to be'. We were all taken back to Kobayashi Sensei's home and temple, where we were given a mouth watering curry for lunch. I was surprised to find that our lunch was served in the temple, but gradually discovered that the temple seemed to be used more like a community center than what I had imagined it as a place of worship only. And after all, what does the word worship mean but reverence, admiration and love, and why not bring people together in celebration to love, revere and admire one another.

An immense 'International Party' was held in our honor in and around the temple. A wrestling ring was set up and wrestling program was held that might possibly rival West Coast Wrestling. The highlight was a match between a masked wrestler and a karateka, with the karateka winning - of course. There was an extensive program of traditional music and dance including two little drummers ages approximately 5 & 6.

That evening we were given a taste of a local festival - the Bon Festival. This was within walking distance of the temple and although it was raining we did not mind after the heat and high humidity in Tokyo. In the center of the festival grounds a two story tower had been erected and Taiko drums installed. The drumming continued throughout the evening with drummers changing places from time to time without missing a beat. Adrian was invited to drum for a while, which I'm sure must have been the highlight of the trip for him. The rest of us learned the Bon dance and danced around the tower.

The next morning we trained at the new University Gym in Ojiya City. Unfortunately we did not get to train with Kobayashi Sensei and he and James were in a minor auto accident on the way to the gym. For a while we were quite concerned and the translation from Japanese to English had us believing that the accident was very serious and they were in hospital. Happily though, they turned up at lunch, a little bumped and bruised, but not mortally injured. This, I feel would have been an excellent opportunity for James to have us carrying his bags and waiting on him hand and foot for the rest of the trip but he settled for a couple of neck massages and carried on.

The next day we were separated for home stays with various families. It is amazing what strong friendships can be made in only a few days, and everyone was sad to leave their new 'families' when it was time to go on to Kushiro.

While still in Niigata we again went to a Karaoke Bar and discovered that Kobahashi Sensei has an absolutely beautiful singing voice.

On to Kushiro by rail. We had to change trains four times and it is Obon and we could not get reservations on the direct trains. Again we changed into our 'uniforms' for arrival and to meet Narumi Sensei. We were met by a throng of karateka and handed over to our respective 'families' at the airport.

In Kushiro we all had different experiences and our groups did not get together to socialize until the last evening. Some saw the white cranes, which are indigenous to the area. Others toured the hot spring lake and mountain geysers. Some visited the craft market of the Ainu, and others walked on the beach in Kushiro.

We trained only once, but it was a memorable experience to train with Narumi Sensei on his home territory, and to meet many of his students.

Strong ties were formed in Kushiro as we spent more time with our respective 'families'. We were all welcomed as part of their households and treated as family members as well as honorable guests.

The amounts of time and expense that our hosts in Japan spent to make our visit perfect was unbelievable. We were fed and fed and fed. We were chauffeured around like royalty. We dared not admire anything or it was given to us. We were given beautiful gifts as well as the gift of time and friendship. I hope we will remember to be so kind and generous to those who visit us.

Thank you Friends in Japan. Thank you Our Masters in Japan. Thank you James. Thank you Karate.

JAPANESE MEMORIES -ED HOHMANN,

My favourite part of the trip was: Training at Dr. Takagi's dojo in Tokyo, even though the temperature had to be 40 plus with 100% humidity. It was inspiring because the atmosphere, the attitude of the students, and the skill levels were exceptional. Wading in the Pacific Ocean near Kushiro, looking out at the horizon and trying to imagine Vancouver on the other side. Experiencing the boundless hospitality of the people we met and stayed with everywhere we went.

JAPANESE MEMORIES - STEVE ROSS, North Vancouver

It is difficult to name one experience as my favourite during the Gima-ha trip to Japan this August because there were so many interesting and rewarding experiences. But one event I will always remember is the day of festivities and International Exchange Party hosted by Sensei Kobayashi after we arrived at his home. It was held on the grounds of his Buddhist temple, to honour his Canadian visitors. Many families and prominent citizens from the community attended for the full afternoon and evening. There was pop and cotton candy for the kids. The entertainment included wrestling matches in the afternoon and musicians, singers and dancers performing traditional Japanese music and dance on a stage in the evening. Dinner, with beer and sake, was served during the stage performances. The Canadians were given a place directly in front of the stage to view the entertainment, and all of our food and drink was brought to us by Sensei's friends and guests. A light rain fell in the evening, but it did not dampen anyone's spirits. Zoe, Tammy and Rachel were lovely in their traditional Japanese sashes and kimonos which the Japanese ladies took great pains to prepare and dress them in. I felt very honoured and overwhelmed by the hospitality and graciousness of our hosts. I learned throughout our trip that such hospitality and attention to foreign visitors is the Japanese way.

JAPANESE MEMORIES -TAMMY PILON, Burnaby

We were priviledged to be in Japan during the Bon festival and to be able to participate in the celebration in two different cities. The Bon dance was taught to me slightly differently in Kushiro than in Niigata. It was like learning kata two different ways. Neither of them was wrong. The only wrong thing would have been to do the Niigata dance while parading through the streets of Kushiro.