KYUSHU  - TAKANABE OCTOBER 2012

The trip started as normal with Kihon training from shihan Fukamizu. We were informed that we would have an opertunity to train with a Goju-Ru instructor.
This trip proved to be quit diferent from other trips with sensei Masakazu from Goju-Ru teaching us kata and then showed everyone his sword collection with the oldest being about 600 years years old. this was the first time that he has any western people to veiw his sword collection.

 

We also had the privalge of being the first westerners to be invited to train at the police station in Takanabe, we participated in Kendo, judo and police arrest techneques, I believe everyone enjoyed the learning experience and the demistrations that were done by the police.

One of the other highlites was a presentation to shihan Marriott of a picture taken from a carving of 2 dragons which has taken over 50 years to complete.This was in recognition for the time and effort and continued support to the homestay program over the last 21 years, this is the only time that this picture has been alowed out of Japan and also being presented to a westerner.

My expeirience in Japan by Laura Mackwell