Job Discussion Forums

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

Sage: I study Win Chung in Kofu, Yamanashi. My see-fu is a student of Master Victor Kan Wah Chit of London. His see-fu was Grand Master Yip Man. (Bruce Lee's see-fu among others).....

I really enjoy it.. I used to do it in Canada for years as well. If that style interests you at all, there are schools all over Japan... Well.. not ALL OVER, but certainly a few... Check out this listing: http://www.wingchun.org/txt/schools/misc/japan.html

Good luck.

JD

rudo!rudo!rudo! · Joined: 15 Sep 2004 Posts: 7

migo...

Are you a part of any shooting gyms? If you are, how accepting are they of gaijins and people with little skill (like myself!) into joining up to train with them?

Timuli · Joined: 10 Jan 2004 Posts: 51 Location: Saitama

rudo! - are you into MMA? I belong to the WK Network (Wajyutsu Keishukai). The guys there are well known in Shooto and Pancrase circles (Kauru Uno, Toida, Kadowaki, Okami, Shiozawa, Takase used to be a part, and many others)
The honbu is in Ochanomizu (WK). The other gym I go to is RJW which is in Iidabashi. Though the Network has gyms all over.
How accepting are they of foreigners? So far I would say very. I'm the only foreigner at the gym, and have always felt welcomed and comfortable. No special treatment. They guys are easy going and cool.
Here is a site for their gyms in the Tokyo area, as well as prices, schedule, fighters profile and location: http://www.g-c-m.net/2wk_network/tokyo.html

rudo!rudo!rudo! · Joined: 15 Sep 2004 Posts: 7

[hmmm... I posted a reply yesterday, but it's no longer here]

Hey Timuli,

Yeah, I big into MMA (and even the puroresu scene to a lesser extent) and used to train BJJ, Muay Thai and Sambo, but I had to put it off as I finish up my MA thesis... I'm a bit out of practice but willing to get back in when I'm done with my school work.

I'm not in Japan yet, but I'm really considering it and hoping to get a part-time university position or eikawa work for next year. There would be no doubt that I would immediately start up training if I were to arrive in Japan (and I'd be spending all my wages to go see ZST and Shooto cards).

It's so cool that you mentioned the WK network becuase they were one of the clubs/teams that I'm totally interested in checking out. Uno is has been one of my favorite fighters (since Sato/Uno I) and it'd be a dream to train with him... I was also told to check out Yuki Nakai's gym since I heard it's very gaijin friendly and Nakai's English is very good (since he trained with Rickson)--but I figure I'd rather move away from BJJ and go for shooting if I was in Japan.

I wouldn't mind heraing more about your experiences!

Thanks again for all the info Timuli!

shmooj · Joined: 11 Sep 2003 Posts: 1758 Location: Seoul, ROK

Canuck2112 · Joined: 13 Jun 2003 Posts: 239

I'd say the exact same thing right to your face.

For the sake of keeping this thread on topic I'm going to leave it with that.

Mike L. · Joined: 28 Feb 2003 Posts: 519

spidey · Posted: Tue Sep 21, 2004 12:59 am Post subject:

Ready........BEGIN!! Mad

rudo!rudo!rudo! · Joined: 15 Sep 2004 Posts: 7

Oi Timuli, where you at? Smile

I was also going to ask you about the new KAKUDEN promotion that opened up in Saitama. Supposedly it's an all gaijin fight promotion that'lll be running cards at the Super Arena and I was wondering if you knew of any of the folks involved since you're in Saitama.

Here's all I heard of it:

http://www.sanspo.com/fight/top/f200409/f2004092803.html

Sage · Joined: 09 Apr 2003 Posts: 144 Location: Iwate no inaka!

migo · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 201

Kimura · Joined: 08 Oct 2004 Posts: 22 Location: Toronto, ON

I read most of the posts assuring that most clubs or dojos won't reject gaijins if they want to train. However, I was wondering if anybody HAS been rejected.

Secondly, are gaijins allowed to compete in japanese MMA and BJJ tournaments?

Timuli · Joined: 10 Jan 2004 Posts: 51 Location: Saitama

Kimura - yes gaijins are allowed to compete in japanese events. I've competed in all japans amateur shootboxing twice so far, most me friends are pro's and they compete in Shooto, Ikusa, shootboxing, demolition, and even the Japan qualifiers for Abu Dhabi.

Haven't heard of anybody actually being rejected yet because they were foreigners. I have heard some gyms not accepting people to train because they had tattoos. Takada Dojo specifically comes to mind. The guy was told to cover up his tatto while training.

TexasAggie03 · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 3 Location: Texas

I am not sure where your location will be in Japan but the martial arts are HUGE in Japan. (Let me qualify this by saying that I have never been there but I have been in the martial arts since I was six).

Vale Tudo, pronounced 'val a too do' (Portugese for 'anything goes' aka UFC/PRIDE FC style fighting), judo, submission wrestling, shooto, Karate of any kind, kendo,
K-1 (THE premier standup/kickboxing league in the world: K-1 stands for Karate, Kung Fu, tae Kwon do. The Grand Prix finals were held two days ago) all hold major events in Japan.

Some famous gyms/dojos/camps to train with for vale tudo are: KZ Factory, Takada Dojo and U-File Camp to name a few. PLEASE NOTE: vale tudo IS NOT for a hobby! The Japanese vale tudo rules for competition (PRIDE style) are 6 ounce broken knuckle gloves, cup, mouth piece. There is kicking, punching, knee-ing, stomping to the head, body and legs. Fighting on the ground is allowed and expected ie if you are knocked down they will continue to attack via strike or wrestling combined with striking. You can be put in submission ie chokes, arm/leg manipulations to 'tap out' signifying surrender, TKO'd by ref if unable to intelligently defend or Judges Decision. Full contact; very physical.

K-1 is very big there as well. This is closer to what westerners know. It is basically USKA style kickboxing regs as far as equipment except no shin guards. There are kicks to the legs and spinning/blind side techniques like turning backfists or spinning heel kicks to the legs. Much harder on the body than vale tudo but not as complicated.

Traditional martial arts abound I am sure. Hedihiko Yoshida Dojo is a Judoka dojo but they do vale tudo as well. They my be rather physical also but vale tudo is huge. PRIDE FC sells out Saitama Super Arena with its shows (64 thousand plus) on a regular basis. Yoshida is a gold medal judoka and is fighting Rulon Gardner (USA) on 31 December in vale tudo.

Some superstars to look out for if you ever attend a vale tudo event are Quinton Jackson (USA), Wanderlei Silva (Brazil), Kazushi Sakuraba (Japan), Daiju Takase (Japan), Rumina Sato-Hyoto 'Mach' Sakurai and Takanoi Gomi (all Japan).

There is a PRIDE event on 31 December in Saitama for the New Years Eve Show.

Hope this helps.