Job Discussion Forums

Stosskraft · Joined: 12 Apr 2004 Posts: 252 Location: Japan

I was wondering if any of the teachers here are training in any Martial arts during their free time?

I am planning on going to Japan in December and I am hoping to continue my training in Japan. I am hoping to find a Jiu-Jitsu or possibly a Judo dojo in Tsukuba City.

Now it has been suggested to me that some Dojo's in Japan will not accept foreigners. I am hoping this is not true (the statement seems a little too general), but I am wondering if anyone has experience with this?

Thanks for any info.

blue jay · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 1:19 am Post subject:

Hi Stosskraft,

I don't know about the city that you're going to..but one of my American guy friends did karate at a local dojo in Osaka. They absolutely loved him. Actually I think there was an American girl who did karate there as well. I can't remember the name of the dojo..though.

Good luck..
blue jay

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

There are lots of people doing martial arts in the Kanto region.

I'd say contact a dojo in your local city, ask them about the dojo contacts in Tsukuba, and get a nice letter of introduction.

The Aikido dojo next to the training I do has three foreign guys in regular attendance.

I've met lots of foreign karate people.

Lots of styles have info on the net, sometimes in English.

Joannda · Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 43 Location: Japan!

Yeah, when I was in Osaka a few years ago, I started going to a karate dojo in the local neighbourhood, as one of my hostmum's friends' kids went there for classes.
I was welcomed with open arms, and was given a lot of privelidges (such as cheap classes and a free gi!!) I was pretty fortunate, and I think they thought it was a bit of a novelty having a young foreign girl training with them, who actually knew what she was doing Smile

(I'd been training for about 4 years prior to going to japan)

I'm sure that you'll have no problems finding a dojo where you can train, whether it be judo, jiu jitsu or karate. Ask around when you arrive. the people at your work or in your neighbourhood are bound to know something to put you on the right track.

migo · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 201

Check out this page. It's not oriented specifically to TJJ or Judo but it's still got good info.

http://sfuk.tripod.com/sfukguide/japan_guide.html

Chris12 · Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 98

migo · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 201

spidey · Posted: Fri Sep 03, 2004 7:13 am Post subject:

You're in luck...

I lived in Tsukuba for 2 years. While there I studied Aikido at the Budokan at Tsukuba University. It catters to all types of martial arts. I'm sure you will be able to find a Jiu-jitsu club there. If not, someone will be able to point you in the right direction. They definitely have judo there.

good luck Smile

Canuck2112 · Joined: 13 Jun 2003 Posts: 239

I was on my university wrestling team, and in terms of physical exertion the Judo class I'm in here is comparable. There's a lot more sweating involved though...the Judo gi retains a lot of heat.

migo · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 201

Sheep-Goats · Joined: 16 Apr 2004 Posts: 527

One of my Judo trainers back in America would close all the windows in the summer and have us work until our gis were soaked through. Couldn't tell whose sweat was whose or whose sweat was running down the windows in little rivulets once it started cooling down outside.

migo · Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 201

That's just gross. Bad enough wrestling without a gi but going out of your way to make things unhealthy and disgusting... well I'm glad my coaches all haven't had their brains slammed out of them.

Chris12 · Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 98

spidey · Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2004 5:18 am Post subject:

Akido is not too physical, but very spiritual.[/quote]

Sorry, but after studying Aikido for about 12 years, I would have to say that it depends who you study under. I agree that Aikido is very spiritual, but believe me when I say that it can be EXTREMELY physical. And I mean...EXTREMELY!!!

Chris12 · Joined: 25 May 2004 Posts: 98

The problem with Akido is that there is no sparring or randori like in Judo, wrestling, boxing and the such. Sparring is the best way to increase endurance, quickness, and alertness. I think, Morehai did not want Akido to become a sport so he did not have his students compete. He wanted his students to keep focuse on the spirituality of training.
I have trained with the best of them in aikido there is noway you can compare the physical conditioning of aikido to those who train in judo, boxing or wrestling.
Again nothing against Aikido, the focus is more on spirituality.