Category Archives: japan

Random musings about Japan

Aikido Training Summary 2011

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Now that 2011 is over it’s time for me to update my aikido training log.

Training Summary
After a strong start to the year unfortunately I couldn’t train as much in the second half of the year as I’d have liked, training only 114 hours.


Training hours by month (2010/2011).

I finished the year with 250.5 hours, having taken 199 lessons on 172 days. Coincidentally this is the same number of days as I trained in 2010, however I trained more hours, an average of 20.9 hours per month compared to 19.5 hours per month in 2010. Not bad considering I “lost” 2 weeks training due to the Great East Japan Earthquake, and another week to vacation at the end of the year. Overall I’m pleased, but still hoping to train more next year.

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Aikido training summary – first half 2011

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2011 has been an interesting year so far, especially in my aikido. I thought it would be good to post a summary of the year so far, and compare it to last year.

Training Summary

I trained a total of 136.5 hours in the first 6 months of 2011, a nice improvement over the 102 hours in same period in 2010. I would have liked to train more, but I did manage to train regularly, making it to the dojo 3 or 4 days every week, except for the 3 weeks I was away.


Training hours by month (2010/2011).

Training hours by month (2010/2011).

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My aikido shodan test at Aikikai Hombu Dojo

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On 18th February 2011 I took my test for shodan (初段 – black belt) at Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo. I took the test along with 8 other people at the end of the winter semester of the ‘Aikido Advanced Gakko’ (合気道学校上級課程). The test was overseen by Katsurada Eiji Shihan (桂田英路師範 6th Dan), and Kobayashi Yukimistu Shihan (小林幸光師範 7th Dan). On 25th February 2011 I received my shodan certificate from the Doshu Ueshiba Moriteru.

Wearing my black belt and hakama to training for the first time.

Wearing my black belt and hakama to training for the first time.

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What does shodan mean?

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What does shodan (black belt) mean? I certainly do not profess to have the answer to this question. But I find myself contemplating this subject as I am faced with the possibility that I may be allowed to take a grading test for shodan in Aikido at Aikikai Hombu Dojo in just under 5 weeks (*see Note below). Here are some of my thoughts about whether I should take the test (assuming I’m actually allowed to). It is a much harder decision than I would have expected.

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Aikido Training 2010 Summary

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Now that I’ve finished training for the year I thought I’d post my follow-up to Time on the Mat for the second half of 2010. My goal for the 6 months was 120 hours, and I’m happy to say I exceeded that, training 129.5 hours, despite my slow start in July and August.

Aikido Training Hours per month 2010Aikido Training Hours per month 2010

Here’s the data broken down by number of days training per week – it’s clear that I was much more consistent in the second half of the year:

Aikido Training Days per week 2010Aikido Training Days per week 2010

Note that the dojo was closed in weeks 32 and 52, meaning I trained at least once every week the dojo was open!

Total
My total training for the year was 231.5 hours of classes (188 lessons) on 172 days.

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Tada Sensei 15th Special Seminar

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One of the great things about living in Tokyo is the amazing opportunities to learn Aikido from the masters. Today I was lucky enough to attend the 15th Special Seminar by Tada Hiroshi Sensei (9th Dan), held at the Aikikai Hombu Dojo, Tokyo. I also attended the previous seminar in April, but quickly forgot the finer details of what he taught. This time I thought I’d try to record some of what I remember about the seminar in the hope that I’d be able to retain a bit more.

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Aikikai Hombu Dojo Tokyo – Intermediate Gakko

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I attended the Intermediate Gakko at Aikikai Hombu Dojo Tokyo from October 2009 until August 2010, after “graduating” from Beginners Gakko in August 2009. I thought I’d write about my experience during the course.

Intermediate Gakko graduation August 2010Intermediate Gakko graduation August 2010

Course Overview
Intermediate Gakko, or “Intermediate Academy” (合気道学校　中級課程) is open to anyone holding 3rd Kyuu or 2nd Kyuu. You do not need to have taken the Beginners level, but you must sign up before the course begins and places are limited. The course runs in two 5-month semesters per year, April-August and October-February. There are two 90-minute classes a week, Wednesday and Saturday evenings. At the end of the semester students who have attended at least 2/3 of the classes are eligible to take a grading test (up to 1st Kyuu). The classes are taught entirely in Japanese. More information about “Aikido Gakko” is covered on the Aikiaki web site, in English and in Japanese.

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