went to Japan...got to see Honbu

[buckette]

Was lucky enough to make a quick visit to Japan for four days for a Kyokushin Union (Rengokai) Tournament this month. Stayed in Nagoya, but didn't get much of a chance to look around. Managed to meet the winner of the Kyokushin Union 38th All Japan Championships...Takuma Koketsu. Very very nice guy, very humble too (uchi deshi, so he had to carry our bags for us and drive us around everywhere!).

Also managed to squeeze in a day trip to Kyoto, where another karateka took us around. And got a quick trip to see Sosai Mas Oyama's Headquarters in Ikebukuro. Also heard the story about how dojos from all around the world donated money to help buy the land when Sosai was still alive.

Even though there are different groups/factions within Kyokushin, there is still such an overwhelming sense of community and hospitality shown by fellow Kyokushinkai. It's inspiring to know that there is such a great community spirit within Kyokushin!!

Loved the bullet trains...and the taxi doors that open automatically! Just wish i could have stayed longer and maybe trained at one of the dojos...

[ichigeki31]

ur pretty lucky heheheh hope u had fun eheheh osu !!!!!!!!

[vapor]

Glad that you enjoyed your trip.

Do you have any pictures that you can share with everyone?

vapor

[RASor]

Osu buckette-san,

The real beauty of Kyokushinkai is the brotherhood/sisterhood bond that is strong (because we endure the same training, undergo similar hardship, thus the respect and regard we give to fellow practitioners). This is Sosai Oyama's legacy to us that will never die as long as there are practitioners of Kyokushinkai. Thus your remarks:

"Even though there are different groups/factions within Kyokushin, there is still such an overwhelming sense of community and hospitality shown by fellow Kyokushinkai. It's inspiring to know that there is such a great community spirit within Kyokushin!!"

I recall the experience of our members who were fortunate to have visited Sosai Oyama's Honbu Dojo. They felt the Grand Old Man of Kyokushinkai's spirit within the Dojo's hall as if he was watching them. Knowing several great Kyokushinkai personalities dropping sweat as they rigorously trained on the floor, i.e. where they stood, made them feel unworthy and humbled as they walked and moved about.

Thank you for sharing. Osu!

[Kurisu]

My sweat is part of that floor and let me tell you, there was a lot of it. I was fortunate enough to train there and I'll always treasure those memories. It was then that I truely felt like a "kuro obi".

[ksan]

I understand the feeling.. i trained in Japan aswell and it was very special... The atmosphere inside the Dojo`s is unlike what i have experianced here in Europe.. (also experienced the uchi-desi`s running off with my bag, didnt know at first they were obligated to carry my bag) We trained in Tokyo and Shizuoka.

We were taken to the emperor`s imperial summer palace.

Went to the Old-Honbu in Ikebukuro and visited the Budoshop

Did a waterfall training on mount Fuji (the ice and snow was still hanging from the rocks) and after the training we went to the Dojo near the mountain were the parents of the children of the Dojo had cooked a meal and we ate it sitting on the floor in the dojo... (this is a custom and has a special name but i cant remeber what it is called)

.. They made us feel very welcome

Cant wait to go back......

[Shingo]

Japan is so awesome!!

[Tom Kupa]

Everyone is absolutely right about the brotherhood & sisterhood of Kyokushin. We also made a trip to Japan for a Tournament. We had problems when we went to the Honbu because it was occupied by Ashihara we weren't allowed in to the Honbu. It was really sad for those us that had come from long distances to be turned away at the door. If this was bad our reception at the door of Matsui's Honbu was no better it was really depressing to see the lack of trust and hospitality had all but gone.I recently returned from a Summit held in Miami for EFC members. Now this was Awesome all the different styles that came together ,the brotherhood and the sisterhood really jumped out and bit you. Everyone trained together and learnt together as one.