Studying in Japan?

[redag17]

Hello,
I've been studying AIkido for a couple of years, and am thinking of moving to Japan for a year. I'd like to continue to study Aikido there (Tokyo). Has anybody else made the change from North American schools to Japanese schools, and if so, how did they find the differences? Are women at all respected in Japanese Aikido schools? What are the costs like?
Thanks!

[JohnnyX]

Can't answer any of your questions, but since this is your first post ......


Welcome to the MAP Madhouse! :D

[YODA]

Can't answer any of your questions, .....

So shaddap then! :D

[Slindsay]

Have you read "Angry White Pyjamas" by Robert Twigger? It's all about how he took up Aikido whilst in Japan and studied it there, also an interresting insight into Japanese culture.

Stephen

[redag17]

thanks, i'll check out the book.

[kevamania]

Hi redag17,welcome to map.I take it you are female then.
Studying in Japan is said to be absolutley fantastic,my instructor went there for a month and said humbo dojo(aiki hq) is fantastic and so well kept.Coming back to training in a hall felt a bit weird,thats beside the point though.
It can only be a good experience,are you moving to Japan anyway?
I think the only gender difference(correct me if ive my info wrong)is that women cannot grade above 6th dan.
Unfortunatley Ive never been to Tokyo so Im not talking from first hand experience.
The main differences I think are is the level of strictness and methods of trainin may be different.
Id love to go.
Keep us posted if you get there(and let us in on the secrets! =)

Ill ask a few others in the club also and my instructor if I see them(Getting new dojo,no classes until september)

[timmeh!]

Hello,
I've been studying AIkido for a couple of years, and am thinking of moving to Japan for a year. I'd like to continue to study Aikido there (Tokyo). Has anybody else made the change from North American schools to Japanese schools, and if so, how did they find the differences? Are women at all respected in Japanese Aikido schools? What are the costs like?
Thanks!

From the little knowledge I've got on the subject, stop eating dairy products a month before you go because westerners stink (to their noses) when we sweat due to our heavily reliant dairy diet.

Angry white pyjamas is excellent, so is Shogun as an insight into Japanese/samurai culture. Many Japanese (and western) martial artists have also read '5 rings' by a Japanese guy I can't remember the name of or probably spell if I could remember - his name begins with an 'M' though.
Dexter or someone else will no doubt know.
Good luck though, something you'll never forget.

[bambeer]

martial artists have also read '5 rings' by a Japanese guy I can't remember the name of or probably spell if I could remember - his name begins with an 'M' though.

Miyamoto Musashi :)

[DexterTCN]

You are probably best to read net-based Japanese newspapers as well.

Just so you seem au fait with current goings on.

Importantly..you should find the article "Becoming an Uchideshi, or How to Train Seriously in Japan" by Patrick Auge. It is full of very valuable help.

.....isn't one of our MAPpers planning a trip to Japan...Mr Humm? :rolleyes:

[com160]

what no reply from aikiscotsman yet? must be getting getting slow!

[DexterTCN]

Yes. I expect he will have some suggestions as to why there may be better places than Tokyo to study. ;)

[aikiscotsman]

If your really interested in teaching in Japan the best way is with any kind of degree, the days of anyone turning up in japan and finding enough work to live fine in japan and train as much as you want is gone. They are very strict, so degrees are best. If not you will have to start with part time work and build up the wrok as people get to know you.
There are dozens of different ways to find all this out.
try the JET package
and a company called NOVA
plus theres tefl and other languge scvhools that can help.
You will also need good savings.
as for the crap about not eating certain foods before you travel because of smell what a load o ****.
As for dexters statement. If you mean Iwama mate, i dont matter its very difficult to get in there if you dont have a least 1 year in Iwama trianing before they let you in. But i think this person wants to go to The aikikai honbu or i dont know it could be the yoshinkan honbu dont know what style she does.

[aikiscotsman]

If you have any kind of degree then teaching english in Japan should be very easy. Especially in a big city like Tokyo.
If your seroius dont pass this up, if you find the right dojo you will get the best training in the world that will accelarate your level very quickly. This is the best way anyone can learn, im still thinking about moving back to japan longer term to teach english, I just want the best instruction i can get which does not exist really in the uk.
GO FOR IT, IM SO BLOODY JEALOUS

[timmeh!]

as for the crap about not eating certain foods before you travel because of smell what a load o ****.

Fair enough, you obviously are of greater wisdom than I. It was a relation of stories form guys that have been to Japan - they must be lying, my apologies

[aikiscotsman]

Well maybe thats what they leanred from there experiance, but its the first ive heard about it, Unless these guys are very smelly people over here as well, maybe they brush there teeth with garlic...
Belive me after training long and hard enough in japanese heat there are alot worse smells than food smells. try wearing the same gi for weeks because you cant wash them due to the rainny season. THATS BLOODY SMELLY.

[redag17]

thanks everyone... I'll be sure to let you know before I leave and how it goes when I get there!