Lee’s Japan

Well  I have to say i`m very shocked just when I thought winter was over and it was getting warmer. it started to snow. I added some photo`s onto my gallery

I`ve added 2 new videos of me doing Aikido to my gallery. To view them click on the gallery link on the right side of this page. 

Enjoy

Yesterday was the new years blessing for the dojo. there was a shinto ceremony followed by a demonstration. 

Myself and John did a short demonstration John doing Kokyu Nage and me doing Jo Nage. I was also Sensei`s uke. Fortunately everything went smoothly.

Later I may upload some photos but the ones I have are not very good. Hopefully at a later date I might have some video footage to post.  

On the 10th myself and John had a go at Shodo (Japanese calligraphy) we both had lots of fun. And now John believes he is a shodo master Some pics can be seen in the gallery. 

This year I spent new year in Nagoya with Nahoko`s Family. We took the shinkansen (bullet train) from an extra busy Tokyo to Nagoya on the 30th and came back on the 3rd. During our four days stay Nahoko`s family treated us to many nights out in restaurants, where we ate, Shabu shabum Sushi, Miso Katsu and pasta. 

On the 31st we went to a local shrine at midnight as is Japanese tradition. At the shrine we were given Sake and some satsumas. 

On the morning of the 1st we had the traditional Japanese new years meal O`sechi. pictures can be been on the gallery. And in the evening we visited some of Nahoko`s relatives and had more food. 

On the 2nd we visited another Shrine in Toyota city. For those of you who don`t know the Toyota car company is based in Aichi prefecture. The shrine was very busy as it is an academic shrine and many students go there to get some help passing exams. 

As my friend Volker pointed out I have been very lazy so here is a new update from Iwama.

Currently we have 3 uchideshi here, Pedro from Portugal, David from Switzerland and Luna from New Zealand.

Last weekend we had a party to celebrate and congratulate all the new dan grades. Unfortuanatly I missed the first party at the dojo because of work. However I was able to attend the second party at sensei`s house, which was lots of fun. Including arm wrestling, leg wrestling and Sensei telling me all about his trip to England.  Sensei also made some delicious pork which i had my fair share of. 

Next week I will be heading to Nagoya to spend New year with Nahoko`s Family. Hopefully I will get some nice pictures to put on the internet. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all 

Damn its been a long time since I wrote on this blog.  The main reason for this is because that nothing much as been happening. Im just living my life day to day. Working a lot, especially in October as there were many Halloween theme special events being organised by the schools that I worked for. 

Training is going well. Sensei is very happy at the moment and we have some new Uchi deshi staying at the dojo which is nice. In November we have a big demonstration so I will take lots of photos and post them up on my gallery. 

The weather here has got a lot colder and its very dry.  Which suits me fine I was getting sick of the humidity and way.

Illl try to make sure to add more posts in the future even if they are just short. Also im on facebook now so if anyone wants to look for me on face book feel free.

Lee 

I now have Sky TV in my apartment and I can watch Premiership football!!!! 

I stayed up till midnight last night to watch newcastle hold Manchester Utd to a draw at Old Trafford!!! Get it!

Howay the Lads!!!!!!

Its been over one year since I arrived In Japan. In the beginning it was a little difficult with lots to organise: visa, job, place to live, furniture, internet connections. etc. the list goes on…….

but now, I feel more relaxed that everything is in place. So I can really begin to study Japanese and get some good Aikido practice in as well. 

If only it wasn’t so ridiculously hot and humid (31 degrees today with about 60% humidity) 

Not much has been going on at the moment hence I have not added anything to my blog recently. Obviously I went back to England in June which was great. It was really nice to see all my friends and family again. Especially since it will probably be a while until I go back. 

Since I have returned to Japan I have been working hard teaching English and doing special events for some companies. A few weeks ago I was the head judge in an English speech contest. which I really Enjoyed. 

I am also continuing to Study Japanese. I have a good grasp of Katakana　カタカナ and Hirigana ひりがな now and i`m starting to learn some basic Kanji. 

Now we only have 1 uchi deshi living at the dojo by we have a new soto deshi Paul from france who will be staying here for 3 months.

Anyway hopefully I`ll have some interesting news to post soon…