My Trip to Japan 2001

Jeff Humm 19/12/01

The trip started in a solemn mood as my mother-in-law had passed away a few days before my expected departure. So I returned to Kyushu for the funeral and remained there for about a week. I arrived in Tokyo on the 4th of Nov with the determination to do my best, I moved into my flat in the Aoyama area of Tokyo, somewhat posh but very convenient place.

The next day I went to meet my instructor for the last 13 years, Asano Sensei presently the chief coach for Keishicho (The metropolitan police).

The Metropolitan police Dojo at Shikiba 5.30am 5th Nov

It was my idea to just say hello and leave my armour and come back the next day to start but this was not to be, his first words to me were not "nice to see you again" but "go put your armour on" in true police style I spent the next 3 hours running up and down the Dojo doing Uchikomi and Kirikaiashi.

The Dojo

It felt as if my little legs had been worn down to my hips. The first practice was over and I return to my flat and sat in the living room, the realisation that I had arrived hit like the final Men cut of the day, I fell asleep where I sat with evry part of my body screaming out loud.
The next morning and following few days stayed the same; the first practice of the day had been cancelled as most ofthe teachers and students were on trips around the country. So lucky for me, I could start at 10am and not 7am, which would have meant getting up at 5am.

The practice was as follows:

On the 9th Nov I was told that the practices at Keishicho would stop, so that they could ready the Dojo for the National Police Taikai, so in the meantime I was being sent to the Kidotai (Riot Police/ 3rd Mobil unit) I bowed my head and got my things together, I had heard so much about the Riot Police in my past but I never thought that I was being sent to them. I was told that I would be met at the tube station at 8.30am the next day.

I got to the station early not to be late and to start on the right foot. I found two of the biggest Japanese men waiting for me "Humm San?" I replied 'yes' and followed them. No joke you would not want to mess with these guys, As I came to the main gate I could see about 100 men in uniform standing at rest, as I went in there feet stamped together and this sent a shock though my body, it was not for me but the sound just woke me up.

The group was small - about twenty, we lined up without armour on and started the warm up ( Boot camp style) after this a run about 6k then into armour and Kihon and Kakarigeiko for about one hour. At 10am the 4th Mobile unit turned up for a shiai. This was current practice, one unit would visit each day before the main Taikai. This gave me time to rest and boy did I need it.

Sitting watching this war happening in front of my eyes made me realize that for the last 25 years I had only been playing at Kendo and these guys are living it. After the shiai a friendly practice began for about 40 mins ( ha!! ! friendly ) then lunch this my first day with the Kidotai.

Kidotai Dojo 3rd Mobile unit.

I received a phone call from Asano sensei saying that as I could not practice with him I should also try to fit an evening practice in each day but this would be hard as there are not that many adult Dojo open to the public. I managed a few evenings at Mitsubishi Dojo under the eagle eye of Nomasa Sensei And this is where I meet a friendly face, Pascale Clarac it was so nice to be able to share some of the pain of my stay with some one I knew and it was the first time I had laughed in a while. The members of the Dojo are very strong, if you ever get to visit do not be taken in by the grey hair of its members, real tough old boys. It was not easy for me, so all credit to Pascale for going to all the practices each week mornings and evenings. (Beware if you upset her before she went as she is coming back in the spring)

Mitsubishi Dojo

The routine at the Kidotai did not change, just different units visited and one morning I found myself being used as a floor mop. I had a injury to my left leg which was giving me a lot of pain and during one bout it went under me so I fell to my knees, normally the match would be stopped but in this case I was on the end of a Tsuki which took me to the floor and I was pushed out of the area on the end of a shinai some 2 metres. The good new was I only got a hansoku against me. So I was happy that my week with the Riot Police was over but during my stay I made some good friends and I learnt a lot about being humble.

Some concern was being shown about my leg, so as the Taikai at the Met was about to start I was told to rest and just have a few light practices . The next three days were taken up with watching the taikai. About 2500 people take part over the 3 days to become the champion.

Met Taikai at Keishicho 2001

It was like being at a cup football match, the sound and feeling very great but which match to watch!! Six courts fighting at the same time all the referees in white ( the teachers at Keishicho ) the speed the waza It made me feel like a old cart horse that should be put to rest but did I want to put on my annour and get down there and have a go.

The last week I returned to Keishicho, the training was hard but with the direction of the grading in mind. My leg was still hurting but it was bearable. So the last week just passed without any real event. I found myself with just the weekend and one practice left. It was time to try to relax so I went to the park, It was a very sunny day, while Iying on the grass lots of questions came rushing into my head. Have I understood what has been shown to me? Was it to soon to be taking the grading? The four sickness of kendo (fear-doubt-surprise-perplexity) were taking turns at screwing with my head. All my own words also started to come back to mind, on hearing my own replies to my own questions I just smiled and thought of the warm sun, what will be will be.

The Big Day

I woke early as normal and spent the next few hours cleaning my flat; my armour and Kendo things were ready the day before. I took the train to Kudanshita station and made my way to the Budokan.

I found myself one of 1300 people that day trying for 7th Dan . During the year there is four chances to take the test, these are National grading. So some 4000 people try each year to pass this level I now knew my place in the grand plan.

I received my number 211c this meant that I was the 3rd person to fight in group 211 ,after a wait of about one hour it was my turn.

Dan Grading Nihon Budakan 2001

As I stood up the 6 years wait, the 3 weeks training, the hopes and wishes of friends and family all hit at once. It is hard to say what went though my mind after that but I knew this was not going to be the day.

I just tried to keep my form and not lose my composure, I remember seeing a chance but my body did not move. The 2nd practice was much the same apart from being very aware of the sounds around me.

Dan GradingNihon Budakan 2001

Who knows, if I would have been able to cleanly strike the person in front of me, the result may have been different. I packed my things away and sit watching for a while until the results of the kendo part was posted even after thinking the way I did I still had a hope, but no. I took my things home and returned a while later to have dinner with my Sensei who was one of the judges on another court.

It was a pleasant dinner and I sit and heard the things, which I have said many a time to people who have not passed being said to me. I got a little pissed and return to finish my packing.

pissed

The next morning I went back to Keishicho to say sorry and good-bye. I returned to Kyushu to pay my respects to my departed mother-in-law and during those last days in Japan reflect on the whole trip.

I had arrived not knowing what I should have been doing but found out the hard way. I realised that you should not judge yourself by the people who are around you if you have not seen the whole picture and not to make judgements on them or ourselves with this in mind, as we all travel on the same path but at different points. Also that I have only now started to lean about Kendo and what it is able to show. It might sound depressing, to say this after 25 years of practice to some of you who are just starting, but what I am trying to say is that a lot more can still be learnt after this period of time.

If you want to achieve some thing you need to work towards that goal. These goals are some times easy to obtain but often hard to understand. We struggle, it may be only the way we try to reach the goal that may be wrong, so from time to time we need to take stock of our hopes and goals and adjust, if needed, the way we approach them. We are often not what we think we are and we tend to fool ourselves into thinking otherwise.

Japan 2001 first attempt at 7th Dan.

An eye opening experience, which I would recommend to you all. I have only gained, so keep your goals in sight and do not stop working towards them

Jeff Humm 19/12/01