The test is divided into two parts: in the first you have to perform various moves to demonstrate technique. I thought this would be easy but I was soon out of breath. Damn this office job. I'm seriously out of condition at the moment, somewhat overweight and as the photos show, badly in need of a haircut. As the week wore on I became more and more worried about the fighting bit. a) it hurts a lot getting hit and kicked by guys bigger, heavier, faster and stronger than you, most of whom have been doing this for over ten years (b) the stamina required is intense.
The way it works is you have to fight for a very long minute and then get a very short minute to overcome nausea, recover your breath, grab a sip of water and find some remnant of willpower to keep going.
After my first shiken, for my blue obi, when I only had to fight a measley three people, I finished the test going through a rainbow of adrenalin fuelled emotions that found me laughing, crying and high as a kite all at the same time. In a way though, that was the worst one. I hadn't yet learnt to block and every kick left a large blue mark. Those who know me well know how easily I bruise.
So here I've tried to document the process in true photo journalistic style, not holding back the pain, anger or humour, of which surprisingly there was plenty. Everyone was superbly encouraging, a non-stop multi player running commentary accompanied my battles with cheers of encouragement, appreciation of nice moves, and the all pervading frantic yells to "KEEP MOVING!" Guys - can't you see I'm exhausted? However its a credit to my japanese I understood most of it and a credit to my senseis that only three kicks really really hurt - and boy did the ones that got though hurt! I'm not going to be able to walk properly for the next week at least!
The first four photos are technique.
How cool does this look?
Watch out Bruce Lee!
This is the Karate Kid double kick.
Alright - time for the real thing. Pads on.
Faster with that fan Shuu.
Wake up Hiro!
Why am I doing this?
Yeah - gotcha!
And again!
Can I go home yet?
Take that!
And that!
Hey . . . that hurt!
Now you're really making me angry.
Thank heavens its over.
This is the most excellent Kunikata Sensei. He had to fight 60 people to get his Third Dan. His brilliant sense of humour probably helped. The kid in the background is his son, Hiroshi.
Thanks Hiro.
Domo arrigato gozaimashita
The gang.
Hey, I remember you when you were in your mum's belly.
How am I supposed to be feeling right now?
