Shokema Branch, Spain / April 2012 - Contributors: Antonio M.Gomez Ruiz and Francisco Munoz Barranquero

Shokema Branch: Trip to Japan 2012

Start a new adventure, February 26, 2012, another trip to Japan. Four kenshi, for someone, it is our fourth trip, to another is a second, and for the last one is his first visit to the country of the rising sun. Toni Gomez Ruiz, Francisco Munoz Barranquero , Norberto Criado Fernandez and Manuel Zapata Martin, another great adventure begins.

This time our trip was planned for spring training camp to celebrate the day February 29, 2012 until the day on March 3 of that year, with an addition, since two of kenshi are presented for consideration to the 4th dan, Francisco Munoz Barranquero and Norberto Criado Fernandez, on February 28, 2012, we test date, coinciding with the celebration of day of Andalucia, a great date to remember.

Upon arrival in Japan and tired of this long journey, but happy to be in a Country not miss our homes, because people are so nice and welcoming, they treat us like we were family, one day journey from Osaka to Shikoku by train and we are in Tadotsu, we are at Hombu Dojo, we are at home.

As noted earlier, on 28 February is an exciting day for two kenshi noted as held in the same grade exams, corresponding to the two of them examined to 4th Dan, meanwhile, and as Toni and Manuel that day have training, are devoted to exploring this wonderful island, visiting the fabulous gardens of Takamatsu. While, in Hombu Norberto and Francisco begin the exam, a day of relaxation for some and for others nerves.





On day 29, the four begin spring training camp with 462 Japanese kenshi and 1 Australian, it should be noted that in these days of training, the unification of criteria technicians, even the kenshi in our group were from several different universities kenshi and of course with an enviable technique. For us, also it was noted as long as we were four more kenshi, we were given a special treatment. But the only small problem was the language, although we understood so well with everyone, and we always had a translator helping us, making it possible to understand everything that was said about the level of the teachers of course. During these days we are at Hombu, we have at our disposal the best teachers in the world, an opportunity to learn from the best, one of the anecdotes that struck us most was the power train and practice with a teacher who caught our attention because of their age, ARIMA SENSEI, aged 80, was worthy of our admiration of its technical excellence and humility, a wonderful person indeed.

We spent the days of practice in Hombu kenshi enjoying and knowing many Japanese, a unique experience, definitely the best for anyone who practices this art. Reaching the end of training camp and in his closing remarks, the great moment of knowing that the two kenshi that have been examined have passed their exam. A special moment when Arai Sensei also hands out the certificate of 4th Dan to the two Spanish Kenshi, another emotional moment to save in memory. The days of practice have been too fast, that happens when you enjoy the moments, time passes too quickly. It's time to leave the Hombu.

















































We spend a day in Osaka before returning to Spain, with Hiro and Toyoko, our Japanese friends. Hiro accompanies us with his two sons and we visit Osaka. This time we visit Osaka Castle and spent the day sightseeing and shopping through the center of the city, at night we expected Toyoko at a restaurant for dinner and tell us how our lives are, we spent a wonderful evening with laughter and memories, unforgettable moments in Japan.



The day of return to Spain, the worse moment, the return. When you enjoy the time passes very quickly and this time the trip was very short, it must be so, once told me that the Japanese word to say bye, SAYONARA, it has a special meaning: do not want to say goodbye to you, but if you have to be so, SAYONARA, until next time, Japan.

 

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