On November 9th of last year myself, Jesse Elder, Bob Lampp, Tom smyth and Mike Soriero left Orlando for the Land of the Rising Sun. In our plans were touristing, training at Tenman Gu shrine and participating in a taikai in Machida. We were all pretty jazzed about this trip. I had not gone in 2001 due to being burned out on flying, although Bob lampp went by himself. Neither Tom Smyth nor Mike had been to Japan so they were primed. Jesse had been once when he was 3 so didn't rember much about it. This combination of clowns made the trip really fun. There were no problems and everything went well. Tom was funny as hell and Mike in his low key way was hysterical. Ask him about the "bicycle seat shop".
Big Tony Alvarez met us there having flown in from China. He is a defiinate freak and gets attention everywhere he goes. Ask Jesse and Mike about their nutty comments (while we were in Mayumi's car) about Tom and Big Tony (in Hioki's car). Those 2 should have a stage act. I was laughing so hard I was crying Mayumi, althoough she speaks English, could not keep up with their "gay" remarks so I tried to explain, but maybe to no avail.
Anyway, we trained with Sensei at the dojo outside in the gravel parking lot, as the dojo, which is really a stage, was occupied by a photography company doing portraits of children. They call it a 3,5,7 event. When the kids are that age they dress them up in old style Japanese dress, and let me tell you they are cute as hell! So it was COLD out there, we were all wearing jackets and coats. I even had a wool hat. But it was a great experience. Sensei says you have to train in all weather. Hot, cold and in between.
I took a defective sword and didn't do very well. Tom and Mike were right on. Bob was his usual constant self. But the real highlight, to me of course, was Jesse. He is 12 years old, participates in the class in Orlando and cuts. He cut at the dojo 3 classes. The last night we were there (due to a mixup and we did not have our swords) Jesse cut with a waki and a tanto! He missed many of the cuts but pulled off enough to amaze Sensei. Now Jesse cuts with a katana (full tatami) but never tried a waki or tanto. That was his first time. I don't know about other kids, but many of Jesse's 12 year old buddies I wouldn't trust with a pocket knife! Man and here he is in friggin Japan cutting in an adult class and hanging with us! Pretty damn cool if you ask me. Of course I am biased, but hey.... |
