Each kata was beginning to improve slowly, but I still had much to remember.ĭuring this practice I noticed that everyone moved quietly but quickly, with awareness to others around them. At this practice there were many other people who were also sitting Iaido exams.
There were many people practicing judo, and other martial arts. The practice room was bigger, but again the bougu and equipment from others were there. That evening we had another practice at a Police Station with Ito Sensei. We left, had lunch and went back to the hotel for a rest. I never thought Iaido could be such hard work! It was very hard work, trying to remember all that I had to focus on and trying to improve each kata. Ito Sensei took us for a four hour practice that morning. It made me stop and think very carefully about Rei before entering!!
Iaido long island full#
I think because I could see others’ belongings there from past practices, this place felt alive and full of energy. There were even marks on the ceiling made from shinai’s during practice! A basket of bokutos were in the corner as well as a practice target made of tyres. There were pictures on the walls of kendoka young and old. I really felt like I was entering somewhere very special. But it had a very different feel about it compared to a Hong Kong dojo. The smell was wonderful!! We changed quickly as it was very cold! The practice room again was very small. In the changing rooms everyone had left their bougu and hakama. We took off our shoes and were told where to change. In Hong Kong we have big halls in sports centres. On the 5 th floor we arrived into the dojo. From the outside, the building looked like a block of offices. The first day we were up early to travel and meet Ito Sensei.Īfter a long train journey and a bus trip, we arrived at the first Dojo. Everyone appeared to be aware of everything around them at all times. Not just in the way they spoke, but how they moved and their body language to each other. What struck me immediately about Japan was the way people communicated with each other. I had always wanted to visit Japan since starting Kendo, but I was nervous about my exam. My emotions were a mixture of excitement and nerves. It was to be my first trip to Japan as well as my Shodan exam. I was heading to Tokyo, Japan with some members from our Dojo (Tommy, Lisa, Albert and Jay) to sit Iaido exams.
On March the 3 rd 2011 I left my house for the airport.