October 19 - October 25: Aikido Week

This entire week, from October 19th to the 25th, was the Aikido Club's "gashuku", or training camp. The members rented out an extra large room for meetings and sleeping, and essentially spent the entire week training for their tests and demonstrations when they weren't in class, eating or sleeping. While I usually head to practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:30 to around 7:00, I was in attendance every day this week from 4:30 to 10:00PM.

The room we practice Aikido in. Often, we share it with the Judo club.

For the "gashuku"/training camp, we changed the decoration.

Added to my own exercise schedule, I managed to quickly wear out my legs to the point where they were sore for the rest of the week. Regardless of this, I found the practices fun and engaging; because of the extended sessions, I learned much more about my club mates and techniques than I usually did during the weeks before.

"Takada no Baba" of Shinjuku is where the renowned Honbu Dojo is located.

During both Sundays (October 18, October 25), I attended the Honbu Dojo in Takada no Baba of Shinjuku; being that it was the birthplace of "Yoshinkan" style Aikido, I wasn't surprised to see it populated with masters and lifetime practitioners... comparatively, I felt a bit embarrassed when I joined the same class they were in, and had to demonstrate advanced techniques. Even with the embarrassment, however, I must admit I had an amazing time. Though I originally thought that Aikido would be a good way to exercise and spend time after classes, I've already come to believe that it is something I will want to continue long after I've left Japan.

October 5 - October 18: Two Busy Weeks

Although the sheer number of things on my schedule has made it a bit more difficult for me to update this journal these recent days, I still find time to relax, enjoy myself, meet new people and explore new places. Since I don't personally find the subject of class very interesting to showcase in a journal, I'll stick with updating whenever I do something interesting!

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10/06/09, Tuesday
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Aside from class, I was allowed to join the experiential course and visit the nearby Kyudo (traditional Japanese archery) club's building; whereas my Aikido club has a room designated for usage, the Kyudo club has been assigned its own building. I've heard from some students that apparently Oberlin University has the best Kyudo club available in Japanese universities, and to be honest, I wouldn't doubt that after seeing the demonstrations and facility. The fact that it was raining made it feel all the more movie-like.

The Kyudo club's building; you can see the yumi (traditional Japanese bows).

The Kyudo members demonstrate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3BnmuE2fQI

The building has a moving wall that allows the members to practice.

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10/09/09, Saturday
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Today, I traveled with several international students to Yokohama for the first time. Since the goal was to experience the Taiwanese festival, however, I didn't see as much of it as I would have hoped... Of course, that does not mean I didn't have fun.

We ate lunch at a Chinese restaurant before exploring; this dish in particular includes a Peking Duck wrap.

The Chinatown portion of Yokohama.

A food vendor in a shop from Chinatown; these steamed buns were cutely designed.

The schoolyard was decorated especially for the Taiwanese celebration.