Comments for avparker.com

Comment on Remembering the Kanji by September’s Japan Matsuri (Festival) | RisingSunofNihon

September’s Japan Matsuri (Festival) | RisingSunofNihon — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 03:20:47 +0000

[...] Andrew wrote about Heisig’s Remembering the Kanji [...]

Comment on My aikido shodan test at Aikikai Hombu Dojo by Alain Dujardin

Alain Dujardin — Sun, 08 May 2011 16:07:49 +0000

I got to this log by coincidence while doing some googling. I read the log with much pleasure and could clearly feel the positive attitude and atmosphere in the preparation, during the test and of course after the test too.
We don’t know each other (yet) but we are clearly part of the worldwide Aikido family. Maybe we can meet coming october when I am back in Hombu for a few weeks, but in any case: My congratulations, both at the result as in the way towards it !

Greetings,
Alain

Comment on My aikido shodan test at Aikikai Hombu Dojo by Miguel Cardenas

Miguel Cardenas — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 19:54:47 +0000

Dear Andrew

Congratulations on your Shodan and for this blog. I remember when I took my shodan last year, lots of mixed feelings I am glad to know that you are ok and keep training at hombu. I miss everyone there as well as Aikido practice and Sensei. Looking forward to seeing you in near future.

Miguel

Comment on My aikido shodan test at Aikikai Hombu Dojo by Laurel Seacord

Laurel Seacord — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 02:24:01 +0000

Congratulations on becoming shodan! That’s super!

Comment on My aikido shodan test at Aikikai Hombu Dojo by Eric

Eric — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 01:34:16 +0000

That helped a lot, Andrew. Thanks for writing this!

Comment on What does shodan mean? by Jem

Jem — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 03:56:47 +0000

Congratulations Andrew. Of course you passed! Awesome. :0)

Comment on Aikido Waza Journal by Eric

Eric — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 18:43:19 +0000

Thanks Andrew!

Comment on What does shodan mean? by Eric

Eric — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 18:13:17 +0000

Congratulations on passing your shodan test, Andrew!

Comment on What does shodan mean? by B. K. Oxley (binkley)

B. K. Oxley (binkley) — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 11:17:38 +0000

Andrew, in Shotokan Karate the black belt comes after 10 flavors of non-black, and black itself has 10 degrees to test for. The first black belt was explained to me as meaning “now you are ready to become a true student”, not mastery at all.

My eldest son is a brown belt and tests for his black next weekend.

Cheers!

Comment on 48th All Japan Aikido Demonstration by Russian Aikidoka

Russian Aikidoka — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:15:02 +0000

Thank’s for this article!

The Collection of photo is very beautiful.;)

Comment on Tada Sensei 15th Special Seminar by Saori

Saori — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 13:07:12 +0000

Thanks a lots lots lits for writing this:)
I wanted attend it but I couldn’t.
But I can feel tada sensei’s style from your blog.
Have a happy holidays and looking forward to seeing you soon!!

Comment on Aikikai Hombu Dojo Tokyo – Intermediate Gakko by andrew

andrew — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 12:31:17 +0000

Hi Jeff (long time no see!).
they would be the teachers!

Comment on Aikikai Hombu Dojo Tokyo – Beginners Gakko by andrew

andrew — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 12:29:35 +0000

Thanks Dan!
I mostly wrote these articles to remind my future-self how much fun I had, but it’s nice to know other people are reading them too.

BTW – there are some great articles on your site. Thanks for the link!

Comment on Aikikai Hombu Dojo Tokyo – Beginners Gakko by Dan Dease

Dan Dease — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 16:14:35 +0000

Great read, Andrew. It’s great to get your perspective of the experience and the instructors. Keep up the journal!

Comment on Aikikai Hombu Dojo Tokyo – Intermediate Gakko by Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 05:08:43 +0000

Some of those people at the front look scary

Comment on Aikikai Hombu Dojo Tokyo – Intermediate Gakko by Eric Draken

Eric Draken — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 02:01:00 +0000

Rest that knee up and maybe I’ll see you in the April class on the 4th floor.
-Eric

Comment on Aikikai Hombu Dojo Tokyo – Beginners Gakko by Eric Draken

Eric Draken — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 01:41:56 +0000

That was a good read, Andrew. Everything was right on the mark from what I remember when I was training there. Keep up the great work.

Comment on 2009 – the year that was by mary parker

mary parker — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 08:57:34 +0000

Great to hear you are doing so well in Aikido and Japanese.
Well done on the 10km. run.
You are welcome to walk our dogs anytime.
Congratulations on becoming Uncle Andrew.

Comment on Aikikai Hombu Dojo Tokyo – Beginners Gakko by mary parker

mary parker — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 08:38:20 +0000

What a wonderful journey you are on with learning Aikido.
A fantastic experience and a bonus to have met so many
great friends while having so much fun.

Comment on The Way of Harmony by 2009 – the year that was « avparker.com

2009 – the year that was « avparker.com — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:20:52 +0000

[...] – Aikido I’m happy to say started training again in Aikido at 合気会本部道場 (Aikikai World Headquarters) in Shinjuku in late 2008. I had stopped [...]

Comment on 48th All Japan Aikido Demonstration by Mary Parker

Mary Parker — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 06:54:46 +0000

fantastic photos, really enjoyed it. will post again soon as this is a test.

Comment on 48th All Japan Aikido Demonstration by andrew

andrew — Sun, 30 May 2010 11:26:56 +0000

Hi Eric, thanks for your comment!
There were so many great demonstrations, and it kind of becomes a bit of a blur afterward. I also spent a bit too much time taking photos, instead of paying attention! But I do remember some parts clearer than others.

I remember watching Yokota Sensei. He’s one of the teachers for Intermediate Gakkou, and I’ve been to a couple of his ippan classes as well, and I always enjoy his classes (as hard as they are for me). Your blog post about him was spot on, he really has a way of dominating the uke!

Waka Sensei seemed to do a lot of suwariwaza, and I’m always impressed by how smoothly he moves. I find suwariwaza particularly difficult because of a lack of flexibility in my hips, it’s definitely something I need to work on a lot.

I didn’t realize Endo Sensei was performing, I’ve seen a little video of him on youtube, and I’d have loved to see his demonstration.

Tada Sensei seems to have a unique way of moving, and he get’s through the techniques very very fast. Worth checking out on Youtube. I was lucky enough to attend his seminar at Hombu Dojo a few months back, and I enjoyed it a lot.

The Doshu was amazing as always, he’s so precise.

Definitely a lot of great aikido!

Comment on 48th All Japan Aikido Demonstration by Eric Holcomb

Eric Holcomb — Sat, 29 May 2010 06:38:13 +0000

Looks as though you had a lot of fun! Were there any people demonstrating the stood out particularly? What did you think of Tada Sensei’s demo? I missed it this year as with most of the others so I have no idea.

Take care and hope to see you around the dojo!

Comment on Mount Takao in Autumn by m1k3y

m1k3y — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 11:32:23 +0000

hey Parkes.. nice photos man.

good to see you’re getting out of the big City!

Comment on Home-Sweet-Home in Tokyo by Kai

Kai — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 12:47:03 +0000

Hi Andrew, it must be freezing in Tokyo. Hope you are getting to travel on your days off. Take it easy.