第24回国際武道文化セミナー

Last weekend I went to the 24th International Budo Culture Seminar. The seminar is an event for foreigners that practice Japanese martial arts (武道) to get together and practice. The even is sponsored by the Nippon Budokan and is held at the International Budo University in Kutsuura, Chiba. The martial arts participating were Aikido, Kyudo, Karate, Judo, Kendo, Sumo, Naginata, Jukkendo and Shorinji Kempo. I went with my American friend John, who lives in Okayama too.

The event is 4 days, Friday to Monday. Each day we listened to some lectures about martial arts and also practiced. I usually practice Aikido, but I also tried Karate and Shorinji Kempo. The teachers that come are all high ranking Japanese teachers, some of them are former world champions and Olympic medalists!

All of the participants and teachers stay in the dormitory together and we ate in the cafeteria, so there were many chances to talk with people each day. This was my fourth time to join this seminar, so I saw a lot of old friends and made some new friends as well.

I hope that Ayumi lets me go again next year!