When I first came to Japan, I was studying and practicing Judo, in Tokyo, Japan. I made Japanese friends, and I could learn Japanese culture, hierarchal system, senpai, kohai, Japanese everything. I made sure to be in all Japanese environments. I am a current member of the Kodokan, and my Dan is Kodokan! I studied in the evenings my first five years, while I lived in Japan. I kept a gi, at the Kodokan. I was taught by the elder Judo blackbelts. The most fun was to gain the trust of the older high ranking black belt Japanese players, age 70 plus. None of the foreigners could gain their trust like I did! “Onagaishimasu” We would play newaza. I’d rolled on my back, let them secure a nice tight pin, then escape from it. If I used strength they would quit, quickly! So, when I was tired, I learned to think, of one technique after another to another quickly with soft strength, not over-powering the older judoka. My 75-year-old opponents would have to switch to different combinations of counters on me. I would rather tap out than power out of a 70-year old’s skillful combination of hold downs. There is something fair about this style of Judo, the gentle way, I could earn the trust of the whole dojo, by this hard work ethic and respect to the elders! I still was reprimanded if I wasn’t resting in seiza, kneeling position.
Injury excluded me from the Olympics world team selection tournament. Broken collar bone. I changed ambitions to fulltime “Lets study English” Japanese business, during the last decade of my time in Japanese.
I was very active in Judo! Judo is a sport that you can take with you internationally. Many countries practice Judo. I have played in Mexico, Canada, Cuba, Malayisa, in many of the United States and Countries in Europe. Before some tournaments, I would train 11 times a week!
