2013 Japan trip report
Finally I have a chance to sit down and compile a report about my trip to Japan. It was a very busy three weeks, with a lots of Kendo and even more non-Kendo activities. As most of you know, I was also taking my family with me, so after the grading it was family-oriented, with a little bit of Kendo on the side. First, I landed in Ikebukuro, one of the inner 'suburbs' of Tokyo. Khay-Lin Teoh sensei from Fudoshin Kendo Club and I were both staying in the same ryokan (Japanese-style inn). Here is K-L sensei standing out front of the Nippon Budokan, venue for the grading. And me looking sick/serious/grumpy. I really wasn't feeling as bad as I look in this photo, believe me! Both K-L sensei and I had been for 6th dan in Japan before, so we weren't as nervous this time. Warm-ups happen wherever you can find space, either in the back corridors... ...or in the main stadium itself. The morning session was for candidates under the age o