Showing posts with label Luck.... Show all posts
Showing posts with label Luck.... Show all posts

Tokyo Grand Slam 2015 - On the Other Side
December 24th, 2015

Last year in September, during the All Japan Junior tournament, I had the chance to go see one of my senseis, Akinori Hongo, who had come to Canada to learn English and French. During his time here in Canada, I met him a few times, and even participated in one of the camps he directed. 

Now last year, I had gone to speak to him alone, this being only a week after I had landed in Japan, thus I didn't know much Japanese. Yet I knew his English was very good and so I was not afraid to approach him. At that time, we had spoken simply about my trip, and what were my plans from now on, and the entire conversation took place in English.

This year, at that same tournament, there he was again, and I took the chance again to go see him. Having learned a lot more Japanese by then, I was confident I would be able to handle a conversation in Japanese. After about 5 minutes of talking, he told me he was really surprised with the level of my Japanese, and suddenly asked me if I'd be interested in working a part time job at a major tournament. I told him I would be very interested, although deep down I didn't believe myself able to. He went and checked with a man working there, and came back and told me he would contact me later on if the position was open. We exchanged contact information, and I returned back to my teammates to keep cheering our team on.

About a month later, a message came saying that there would be a job for after all me at the 2015 Tokyo Grand Slam, as an interpreter. My heart sprang out of my chest. I believed this kind of opportunity quite the honour, especially considering that I have only been in Japan for one year. He then asked me if I could come in for an interview, just to get in contact once at least before I started working. We arranged a date to meet, and I then told my parents about the news. They were really proud of me of course. 

Then I started preparing for it, and that's when fear kicked in. What was I thinking? I do NOT have the skill set to translate that fast or well enough to work at such an event! What if they asked me to translate live? I would never be able to handle that. I have reached a very good level of Japanese, but I am far from mastering it. After speaking again with my parents, I decided that I would just see how things are. I verified with my boss what exactly I would be doing and it didn't seem like it was something I couldn't handle. All I knew was that this was not going to be an easy task.

Before I actually started working, I was asked to participate in two different meetings, during which we went over the plan of the tournament and how it was to be run. There were people from TV Tokyo, one of Japan's biggest television companies, people from construction companies, people from electric companies, and people from the All Japan Judo Federation, for which I was working. I didn't understand everything, but I got a general idea of how many things had been planned in order for this tournament to happen.














The week of the tournament, we started the preparations. I went many times back and forth from the AJJF to the Kodokan to the Tokyo Gymnasium (location of the tournament), and started to get familiar with the place. All I did most of the time was simply fill in cards in card holders for all the coaches, athletes, VIPs and etc. I also tried to listen in as much as possible to all the conversations, gathering even more information which would be necessary to perform a good job.

The two days before the tournament, the people from the IJF (International Judo Federation) started arriving at the site. This is when I came in. I was asked to transmit messages here and there, back and forth from Japanese to English and vice-versa, mostly verifying information. I got to meet many people, and surprisingly a lot of them spoke French. 



The day before the tournament, something I was not expecting happened. I was simply talking with one of the IJF staff members, when I was called over in hurry to the main room. I walked in to discover that the tables had all been moved, that the IJF members were all sitting facing the rest of the Japanese organizations. My boss showed me the seat next to him, and I sat down, feeling like I had made everyone wait. My boss, Mr. Takemura then told me that he would need me to translate for him to the IJF, and back to him what the IJF was saying. Without any further information, he then started the meeting.

My heart stopped. For about ten seconds.

What did I get myself into this time...? 

Throughout the meeting, I translated my best what I could from Japanese to English, and then back to English, and I found out that I was the interpreter for the WHOLE meeting, and so I was not only speaking and translating for my department, but for everyone in that room. There were many moments where I didn't understand my own boss' explanations, not just due to my level of Japanese, but more so that I didn't understand the functioning of the tournament in general. But I managed to help them communicate and most of them were kind enough to me with their explanations.









I made it through that meeting and the rest of the tournament. I was told to translate a speech from Japanese to English and another one from English to Japanese (before it was performed of course), as well as ask many questions about presentations, and the running of the tournament. I was also asked to help with the medical department at one point where an athlete suffered a concussion. At that time, I met the doctor that had helped me with my knee injury back in January, Mr. Miyazaki, which made it even more interesting.



Over all, I must say it was a great experience. I went through many tough times, but it allowed me to see a whole other side of the Japanese. It has also placed me in a much better position when it comes to the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, during which I wish to work, and also to most of my friends and teachers of the Judo club who saw me working.


Another big thank you to Mr. Hongo and Mr. Takemura for the opportunity.


(Kotaro and I from the other side.)









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A practice at Yokohama
September 11th, 2015

Ever since my father and sister came to visit me in April, Mr. Sato had started telling me that once I finish my classes, he would take me to a different university to practice. Somewhere a little less stronger than Tokai, where I could get a more... fitted practice. Well, according to Mr. Sato of course.

Finally, that day came. Last Thursday, one of my coaches brought me all the way to Touin Gakuen University, located near Yokohama. We went there by train and the last little bit was by bus, taking us a total of an hour and fifteen minutes. Pretty far for a practice.

(The entry to the University.)

(The English club.)

Once we arrived, Sato sensei had arranged that I get to see that university's English club. They have this room set up for Japanese students to come and practice their English. Of course, it's still summer here, therefore no students, so I was simply introduced to the staff. It felt like a good atmosphere and I really wonder how it must be when all the students attend.

Soon came time for practice, and Honma (my coach) and I headed to the dojo. It was suprisingly quite small with only two fighting areas. Being used to Tokai's enormous four-mat dojo, it was slightly a shock. But no time to think, I was soon on the mats and the practice was on its way. 

The practice reminded me of those back at the University of Manitoba. They ended up doing about 35 minutes of warming up and uchi-komi. As Honma also noticed, Tokai only gives us a 15 minute warm up, and 10 minutes of uchi-komi. After that, straight into randori. 

Now I didn't expect to throw everyone there, but I was still expecting to feel slightly stronger. But no chance there. Everyone I fought had a very strong defense, and were stronger with their grips. Their throws weren't as crisp as those at Tokai, but I still got thrown around. I made sure I took proper breaks, for my body as much as my mind. But it still made me quite frustrated. After about a hour and a half of fighting, Mr. Sato called me over and made me do uchi-komi with Honma san. He showed me a few things that I should work on and made me repeat it a few times. 

After that, he allowed us to leave the practice early (around 8 pm). The practice goes till 9, making it a total of three hours. CRAZY! Anyways... Since we come from so far, Mr. Sato apparently allows us to leave early. This time, we had a ride back home. His *daughter* had come to pick us up, and drove us back to the university. On the way back though, to my big surprise, his daughter suddenly pulled up in the parking lot of a restaurant, and Mr. Sato told us to get out. I understood at that moment that he had just invited us to dinner. 

I had a very tasteful meal made up of sushi, "kaki-age" fried vegetables placed in a nest-like shape, as well as "miso soup". Mr. Sato had also ordered a few side dishes for us to eat. By the end of the meal, I was quite full. During the meal, the conversation switched between two topics: My improvements in Japanese, and Honma's judo experiences. But as everyone noticed, I didn't have too much problem following the conversation. It felt good to be complimented by Mr. Sato, one of Japan's most respected figures in the sport world.

(My supper. Yum...)

(Yeah, I just did eat with Nobuyuki Sato.)

Mr. Sato has really taken me under his wing even though I mean absolutely nothing to him, to the university or to the club. I cannot be more thankful for his efforts and all the encouragement he gives me. Of late, he has even started teaching me directly at the club, but that will be for another blog post. 
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Hello Pacific Ocean!
April 19th, 2015

On Monday April 6th, after my morning practice, I went to my guidance class, during which we purchased the two other textbooks I need for class. After that, we were free! Since we already knew the rest of the information, we didn't need to attend the other two guidance classes. And so Miguel invited me to go to the sea with him and Shingo. I wasn't too sure I wanted to go since I did have a practice later that day, but in the end I decided to go.

We all grabbed our bike and headed out to a part of Hiratsuka (the city where I live) that I had never seen before. There were still sakura which made our journey there and back gorgeous. After about a 30 minute bike ride, we arrived at the beach. There were a few people surfing in wet suits. This day had been the warmest day since the end of winter, and so those crazy for the waves had taken the chances to get out there. Miguel had brought a bathing suit, but I had not. But it was really warm, and so not too long after that, Miguel, Shingo and I were all jumping into the waves. This was my second time seeing the ocean in my life, and my first time here in Japan.

  

(We had fun taking picture on the way there!)


(Sakura makes everything better!)

I don't know if it was the accumulated stress, or the pressure or being responsible all the time but after about 5 minutes of playing in the waves, I lost myself in the moment. I can honestly say I became a child again, jumping into the waves and letting them carry me back to the shore. I laughed, and laughed, and screamed, and laughed again. Miguel and Shingo were there with me, being smashed by the strength of the waves. I think the waves just helped me wash away the big stress I had been carrying for a while. In that moment, I felt free, which is something I had not experienced in a while.



(The beach and the ocean. My first time entering the Pacific Ocean)


(Great moments, great memories.)


(Smiles.)


We ran down the beach, climbed up the side of a small creak leading to a river, started a sand fight and ran some more. Finally, we washed ourselves off, and headed back to the Kaikan. I really have to thank Miguel for that because he always takes me on these odd excursions, but I enjoy them very much. It's something that I wish I could do more often, but going there once was a great experience.


(We stopped on the way back and got pictures taken of us by a Thai lady.)

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March Explained: 1- The Country of Kids
April 14th, 2015

During the month of March, I also managed to go to this place called Kodomo no kuni which means: the country of kids. This is just the name of a town where my friends Shizuka lives. Miguel and I went there to make a cake with her, since I wanted to learn how to make cakes. Miguel and I also decided to make her supper to return the favour. I must say that I didn't learn much since the instructions were in Japanese and Shizuka was going so fast, but both the curry we cooked and the cake were pretty good.

(Shizuka and Miguel)

(The cake...)

Later that night, Shizuka's mom came back home and had a taste for herself and it seems like she enjoyed it. Either way, we had fun!

(Oishii - Means delicious in Japanese)

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Kyoto, a visit to the western side of Japan
March 9, 2015

In order to go to Kyoto, I had to make reservations for the bus to go there, and I most likely would not have been able to do so without the help of Anzu. She showed me the website, and through Skype, she led me through the different steps.

Also, the day of my departure, February 15th, she and two other friends, Arisa and Keigo, waited with me until I got on the bus! I really appreciated their presence. 

(One of my first moments in Kyoto.)

I got on the bus and slept most of the way, waking up from time to time as the bus would stop, then immediately falling back to sleep. I have to say I was exhausted. I arrived at the scheduled time, 6:05 A.M. at the Kyoto Station. I asked a few directions, then I found a Starbucks in which I could sit down and relax a bit. While I was there, I took the time to Skype my family, then once that was done, I headed off to Fushimi Inari, alone. It was only one station away by train, so I was soon out of the station, which was only 3 minutes away from the temple's entrance. 

I was a long way up, but after passing what seemed to be a never ending row of red gates, I made it to the top where I found... more red gates haha! But the beauty and peace of the whole place was beyond my ability to explain. Here's some pictures of what I saw.








(I made it to the top!)

Once I was done getting lost in the red maze, I rushed down the hill since I was running late a little. After arriving at the station, I waited about 30 minutes for Kengo to arrive. I manage to find the gate from which he was going to come through (remember, the train companies are different in this part of Japan from Tokyo). He came through, limping, using one crutch, with a weird smirk on his face. He had told me he was injured, but had said it was good enough to go around, thus I was not expecting this. 

I handed him a coffee, and we walked around the station for a while, talked a little before deciding where to go firsts. Now I'm not going to go through every details of every place, you would be reading this for the next month. I'll simply let the pictures talk.

(Downtown Kyoto)

(Kengo is not letting the crutches stop him.)

(Gion District)

(The love rock!)

(Kiyomizu Temple)

Kengo also showed me around the Doshisha University's original campus! And I thought that Tokai was pretty...

(Panorama from the middle of the campus.)

(This building and the tree next to it are two symbols that represent this university.)

(Kengo's favourite place in Kyoto.)


(Speechless...)

(I also got to eat in the section of Kyoto called Ramen Town. This was my first time trying a ramen where the sauce is separate from the noodles. It was sooo good.) 

Before coming, Kengo had informed me that I would be able to sleep at his place that evening. So we made our way back to his apartment, brushed our teeth, took showers, and got ready to sleep. I must say I was quite tired after that long day.
 
(Kengo misses Canada *he's wearing a U of M hoody*)

Next day, we woke up, got ready, and left for the second campus of Doshisha University. Since space is a big problem in Japan, the university had to split the sport campus, which needs a lot more space, from the main campus. It's about one hour away from the main campus. This is what I saw:

(The main gym building. This is where the dojo is located as well as the work out gym and other facilities.)

(Map of the campus.)

(Their softball practice.)

(Their tennis courts.)


(The beauty of the campus is... unbelievable.)


(Kengo's department study room.)

(The station in front of the university. Just like Tokai, you have to go up a hill to get to the university.)

I also got the chance to watch part of the Doshisa University's Judo Club's practice. In that moment, I came to realize a lot of this about my current situation. First, I must say I feel very fortunate to be able to practice with the Tokai team. Second, I kind of felt pride coming from Tokai, especially after watching Doshisha's practice. I understood a little bit why Tokai is so strict. I also had the thought of "What would have happened had I had come here?". After talking with Kengo, I also realized that Tokai has a lot more fighters than normal clubs do, while before that, I thought almost every university club in Japan had at least 80 fighters. There was nothing wrong with Doshisha University's Judo Club, I believe I just have come to see this in a different way. As my father warned me, going back to Manitoba is going to be a shock. 

(The line-up.)

(The Dojo.)

After seeing the practice, I came to understand Kengo's behaviour back in Canada. I came to understand Japanese behaviour in general, and I can see now there is most than what the eye sees about the judo club, and how it's run.

After that, Kengo decided to come with me again today and visit the following places:

(From the University it was interesting to see no one on the train.)

(I don't know what kind of food this was, but it was soooo gooood!)


(Kinkaku-ji, The Golden Temple.)

(Selfie with Kinkaku-ji, just cause we can!)

(Is it really all gold?)

(Ryoan-ji, The Temple of Dragon at Peace.)



(The famous Zen garden.)

(I really considered moving here.)

(Peace)

After the long day, Kengo took me to a sento, which is a smaller version of the big hot springs they have in Japan.

The whole trip ended in the reverse order. Kengo brought me to the same place where I got off the bus, I rode the bus and slept most of the way, woke up in Yokohama, and took the fastest train back to Tokai.

Thoughts? Can't wait to go back and see the rest of it.


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