September 14- Departure from London. Some unpredicted events forced me to live home earlier and in a hurry. I forget a few travel items but nothing important. Heathrow is busy as always, people from all over the world come and leave. I am about to depart for Japan and become part of the Mumeishi Kendo trippers team- a trip dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Mumeishi kendo dojo.
September 15- arriving in Japan. It is a pleasure to travel with Lufthansa. Docked in a comfortable sit I enjoy dinner, a small glass of red wine, a cup of Japanese tea and a long nap. After that, I wake up and my mind travelling faster then the plane comes to Japan even before my body, remembering my previous visits. I am a kendo freak and historian and both ways make me look into the past. However, with our practice, we do not attempt to become Samurai-warriors but to improve ourselves, to become better persons and of course, this goal makes kendo actually part of the future, as society badly needs more nicety and passion to others... At Haneda airport, I start my Japan Rail Pass, buy a Wi-Fi card and head on to Shinagawa station where I take Shinkansen. This is the first time I travel with Shinkansen. It takes about 8 hours to get to Kagoshima. Along the way, I meet wonderful people who help me understand my ticket and transfer. Finally, I am at Kagoshima Chuo Station. Cheerful schoolboys show me the tram I need to get to the hotel. Shortly after Masami san calls. The hotel is nearby from Kagoshima's marine with a view of the Sakurajima volcano. I am in a room with Adam and Vaydas. We have to be at the lobby at 4.45 in the morning dressed for Asa-geiko.
September 16- visiting Yoshino Ken Yu (friend) Kai. Party with members of Yoshino Ken Yu Kai. The day starts with Asa-geiko. Sueno sensei pics up us at the hotel. His dojo, Yoshino Ken Yu Kai is situated in a school, Jim. Ken, You means “comrade in arms” (swords) and in fact, Sueno sensei has been last few years a friend to Mumeishi as he's been coming to do seminars in London every year. Practice starts with Mumeishi members being motodachi. Hard job, and harder in hot and humid weather of Southern Kyushu. Then we have jigeiko with Sueno sensei and other members of Yoshino dojo. Everyone is helping us, and I guess in the end we have grown a bit in our Kendo path. Our next stop is Terukuni jinja. Jinja or shrine is a Shinto temple. This particular one is devoted to kami, or spirit of 28th Lord of Satsuma Domain, Shimazu Nariakira. Near the entrance of every shrine, there is a water fountain for purifying hands and moth. It is quite an elaborate procedure and requires mastering over time. Shinto shrines also offer amulets for happiness, luck, love and all the wishes a human could have. After all, we are late for breakfast. It becomes a bit of a task to find a place that serves morning meals even at a famous shopping area of Kagoshima, Tenmonkan. A Tenmonkan restaurant also hosts the welcome dinner party arranged by members of Yoshino dojo. We have a chance to meet several specialities of Kagoshima undoubtedly delicious cuisine and have a cup or two of its finest shoju. Sadly tomorrow morning we will have to say goodbye to Kagoshima and the people of Yoshino Ken Yu Kai.
September 17- Fukuoka. The hotel is just in front of Fukuoka's Hakata station. Here is the point where Safras Azis is joining the Mumeishi trip, after participating World Kendo Championship in Korea. Our guide is Max, a member of the Mumeishi dojo who lives in Fukuoka. After the shopping session, we stop briefly at a Pub for a pint of fine Japanese beer. Restaurant adventure is next. Tables are Japanese style. The speciality of this particular restaurant is boiled on the table, on portable cooker beef with vegetables and cubes of tofu. Beers follow as usual. Memories of kendo matches, trips and seminars been shared as the end of the evening was approaching inevitably. Thosе of us who were strong enough continued the party in a pub; the rest headed towards the bed.
September 18- Osaka. For three days our residence will be Viainn, a hotel situated in the vicinity of Shin Osaka station. Our plan for the day is to visit the shinai factory and Himeji castle, apparently the largest Medieval castle in Japan. Shinais are made in different length, shape and wеigth, but although length and weight are specified to the difference in gender and age, the shape is left to individual preferences. And this is from where difficulties of buying a shinai come. Of course, the quality of bamboo is important too, but there is nothing to confuse with: better quality means longer lasting shinai and perhaps higher price. I've been told that only I would know what shinai do I need. Apparently, I don't know and somehow I never paid attention to this particular part of Kendo. Caught unprepared I leave the mater for future consideration. Unfortunately, by the time we finished in the Shinai factory, Himeji castle closes and as no one wants to spend time wandering around the castle, we continue to the hotel.
September 19- Kyoto. Today our guides are Risa and Yuka. They brought us to the magnificent Arashiyama bamboo grove. Huge bamboo trees cover the view in every direction. The road between them is crowded with tourists. Forest itself exudes calm. It is people who violate it. As we approaching Tenryuji temple I see a little girl that purified her hand at the ritual water basin. I thought I will do it also, but that was a mistake and it was followed by an argument. It is strange how the pressure between people builds up slowly. Kendo begins and ends with etiquette and also involve discipline. It is simple and clear and probably works pretty well in Japan. I believe also that those concepts are applicable in any other culture. But I also believe that a teacher has to be much more responsible then a student, especially when teaches children. Nobody is born with knowledge. Knowledge comes with learning and practising. You can bring the donkey to the river, but you cannot make it drink. If you kick it out it might make it hate you and also the water. Meanwhile, Ayako arrives. She is as always cheerful and alive. Next is practise at Kyoto Castle, Shu Do Kan Dojo. Hosokawa san pics us up from the station. The leading teacher at the dojo is Inoue Sensei 8th dan. Everyone tried hard and looks like this Kendo session is a success.
September 20- Osaka. Today's practise is at the dojo of Kubota company where a Mumeishi member, Tanaka sensei works. The session is led by Hayashi sensei, 8th dan Kyoshi. I try hard. It doesn't work well. There is no spirit. I am trapped in between two no-lands. Dinner follows. Food and drinks are superb. As always, Kendo is been discussed. Kubota's kenshi reminds me how important is etiquette, and they did it from their hearts. Here I probably have to write more, but somehow I prefer silence.
September 21- Travel to Tokyo. Everyone gathers at the hotel lobby at 9 O'clock and we heading up for Tokyo. After buying lunch at Shin Osaka station we get on Shinkansen. It is two and a half-hour in Tokyo but everyone is busy, reading, eating. Adam sleeps. Seem that dumplings and cheese-cake bought from a fancy shop at Shin Osaka are very delicious. Sadly I can't try them..... thought cheese-cake brings me memories. Mumeishi group prepares to go to Nippon Budokan and after that dinner. I don't feel fit for this, although I wanted to see Budokan. The hotel looks empty and silent. The keyboard of the computer is unusually inviting. I realise every one of us has to walk his own path during this Kendo-trip.
September 22 - Training in Tokyo. The training was organized by former members of Mumeishi and Wakaba living in Tokyo. We meet smiley kendoka that we haven't seen in years. Former children have grown up. Adults have hardly changed. I feel torn between the kindness and warmth of the Mumeishi kendoka and my own restless thoughts. So is my training. A gala dinner follows in the most suitable place for the purpose - a sports kendo bar. Instead of football matches, matches from the last World Kendo Championship are played on the big monitors. This is the culmination of the festivities. Happy 50th anniversary of Mumeishi!
