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| Group Photo in the Hombu Dojo |
Every Martial Artist who practices Karate has the ultimate dream of going to Okinawa to train. People train really hard their entire lives and build up to train in Okinawa but I was fortunate enough to receive this opportunity very early in my Martial Arts career.
Since I started training in Karate in 2010, I had the dream of going to Japan. There was always something about this place that intrigued me, even before my training began. It could have been the fact that I was a huge Batman fan and in the comics Bruce Wayne the alter ego of Batman travels to Japan for Martial Arts training. I made a promise to myself that no matter how long it took, I would go to Japan at least once in my life.
But Japan doesn't let you do that, you can't just go there once. People who have traveled there fall in love with the place and many decide to move there permanently. It has this effect on you. Japan mesmerizes you. I went there to train with the Yagi family as a Brown belt and they welcomed me with open arms and treated me like family. I wish I had the space for all the stories, I could write pages for all the amazing things that happened to me.
I plan on going back in 2017 as a Black belt for a seminar that takes place every 5 years in Naha, where members of the Meibukan organization gather from around the world. Naha receives thousands of Martial Artists from almost 15 different countries for this seminar. It's a family made by blood and sweat.
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| Some Friend's I made on my Amazing Journey |
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| Okinawa's Lion Guardian |
"But Japan doesn't let you do that, you can't just go there once."
ReplyDeleteThis is something I'm afraid of. I already want to go there so much, and then I hear I'll just want to go again and again.
Guess my passport will get well used.
What a great experience! I totally support the idea that when you are practicing some kind of martial arts, you should definitely visit its country of origin and have a training over there... When I used to train Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) my dream was to visit famous Muay Thai outdoor gyms in Thailand mountains. But it will never going to happen as I got a knee injury and cannot do it anymore.. Great post! Reminded me good days...
ReplyDeleteI have learned so much about it after reading your blog, it is so interesting to learn about the origins of Karate.Great Post.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, it's really interesting to learn about the origins of Karate. Loved hearing about your experiences as well!
ReplyDeletegreat post thanks for sharing your experience !
ReplyDeleteCouldn't be more jealous of your trip! It is a dream of mine as well. Keep following your passion!
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine how hard Japan would be to leave. Can't wait to get there some day and experience it's beauty! Amazing you were able to go back to the roots of where it all again!
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