Job Discussion Forums

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

I used to study Chinese Kung Fu (Wing Chun or Ving Tsun style) back in Canada. I achieved a senior belt level so I was hoping to pick it up again in Japan. It took about a year, but recently a European see-fu (sensei) moved to my city under whom I've started studying..... I plan on doing about 3 times a week.

You can probably find whichever martial art that intrests you the most and track down a dojo in your area... It just may take some time to find a solid one. Many dojos in Japan (especially in the realm of karate) focus primarily on kids, so though they may welcome you with open arms, you may find yourself sparring with 10-year olds. As for not allowing foreigners... Maybe, but highly doubtful. Even a xenophobic sensei will likely tolerate the scent of a foreigner if the scent of new money is stronger. Many dojos suffer for business; the economy isn't all that great and many traditionally arts and sports are falling by the wayside... Just ask my tea-ceremony instructor. Smile

I would say, most Japanese people that are involved in the traditional arts/sports are flattered that a foreigner would care enough to study and help propagate what they spent their lives cultivating. At that point, it's not about the racial or historical or cultural purity of the art. It's about passing the heritage onto to future generations, even if it means exporting it to another country/culture.

Look at sumo. Though the old, traditionalists still grumble about the increasing number of foreigners joining the ranks of professional sumo, they all know that in order for the sport to survive, they need fresh faces and genuine talent. Most of my JPNS friends and co-workers consider Asashoryu to be a "rude gaijin" but I know he has more than an adequate fan club even amongst Japanese people.

Anyway... enough rambling from me. Smile

Good luck!

JD

P.S. Having a Japanese friend help you flip through the local yellow pages can work well too. There are usually about 2-3 pages of dojo listings...

migo · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 201

spidey · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 6:22 am Post subject:

No Randori Question

Where did you study? Shocked

As I said. I have been studying for about 12years, 3 of which are here in Japan. I do however tend to find that the training I received back in Canada tended to be a bit more rigorous with the focus more on the dynamics and less on the static.

Again though...it depends on where you study. And yes...comparing never does anyone any good. Not better or worse...just different.

migo · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 201

That's just being politically correct.

Chris12 · Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 98

Most martial art dozos in Japan encourage guijins to join. Morihai the found of Aikido claims the main purpose of Aikido is to develop world peace. Kano Jigoro created Judo as a gift to the world, since Japan at the time was learning Western ways.
However, most classes are taught in Japanese so you will get to improve your Japanese while getting into shape. Unless you are doing Aikido then you will not be getting a physical work out, because people who do aikido believe it is not good to sweat when you work out.

spidey · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 7:15 am Post subject:

Chris12...the more I read your "opinion" on Aikido, the more I'd like to show you personally just how physical it really is. Evil or Very Mad

You don't sound like you are speaking from experience at all. And furthermore...where do you get your info from.

Sorry, but you're really starting to burn me up.

By the way...who rights your dictionary? Wink

migo · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 201

Boy, another inflamed TMAist, I'm surprised at how prevalent they are.

spidey · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 7:28 am Post subject:

Sorry...but I have a problem with people preaching about things that they apparently know nothing about.
Get your facts straight and then we can chat.

migo · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 201

How are we to be sure you actually know what you're talking about? From where I stand it looks like Chris does and you don't. And yes I've done Aikido and it doesn't even compare to Judo, BJJ, Shooto etc.

spidey · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 9:48 am Post subject:

I haven't been the one bad mouthing other martial arts. I respect them all for what they are. But it seems that both you and your friend seem to have something against the art that I practice.
Your right...you don't know if I know what I am talking about, but then again I'm not the one who is professing to.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Chris,

Aikido as taught by the Tokyo Police Academy, I am told, has a very brutal training schedule. I've met two gaijin who've trained there. Perhaps someone here knows better whether or not their training is focused on randori or not.

Spidey, it doesn't appear that people have badmouthed any particular martial school here. It seems people have made some observations about the kind of practice and approach they've seen.

From my limited experience with Aikido, I've seen both kinds of practice - primarily focussed on character/spiritual development (a year in an Aikido club in Ehime-ken) and very hard training in Canada (with a Japanese).

Martial practices that don't have randori aren't diminished in value, imho. Sure, there may be less practice to develop stamina, but the flexibility and [/b]kangae kata are certainly nurtured in many styles.

migo · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 201

Well being taught to police forces doesn't necessarily mean anything but it would be interesting to know if they do any randori or not.

spidey · Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2004 5:23 am Post subject:

Aikido and the Randori...

From the beginner to advanced, randori training is taught to all levels. It can be done with single or multiple attackers. There are no pre-determined attacks or techniques. Initially, the focus is on footwork and getting out of the line of attack. Then as the student starts to gain in experience, techniques are slowly introduced.
This part of the training can be very creative when it comes to strategy. Using one opponent to fell another for example. The idea is to control the flow of energy, going from one opponent to another without any disruption in the flow ok Ki. As the defender you can be very offensive by understanding the dynamics of the group, leaving your attackers in a constant state of imbalance.
This type of training can be very strenuous for both Uke and Nage, due to the fact that there is no interval time between attacks or techniques. A randori can last anywhere from 2 minutes to 10 or 15 minutes, depending on your Sensei and level of experience.

I hope this helps...

Chris12 · Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 98

Chris12 · Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 98

Spidey please understand, I don't mean to get you upset, I am just trying to get you to understand the spiritual side of martial arts. What ever I nor anyone else writes about Aikido should not bother you. There are so many more important issues to get upset about. Like China's unjust and cruel occupation of Tibet, or the U.S. President Bush and his invasion of Iraq for oil.
Many old time martial arts experts including Morihei used to ask: "If you can't control your own anger, how can you control someone else's anger?"

I must give you credit, you did calm down and then wrote your beliefs objectively. If doing Aikido gives you anykind of pleasure there is no need to care what anyone believes. Take care and keep practicing!