Jin Kote Arrives

My Jin Kote Finally arrives after nearly 7 weeks of wait. Here are some pics. Full review to follow.

Led

I led the practice last night.
I was nervous and kept forgetting my words
but was exciting.

Want to do it again.

10/11 Oct 05

training post Tournament.

I want to take it easy this week after practicing almost daily for the tournament. I was hoping that the tape, taken by Steven, would be available but only the second tape (w/out my match) was at the dojo.

Spars with Mr Young and Jessie as well as training with a new kid, Bryan.

Came early Tues to join group warm up finishing early by 8:30pm. Plan to contact OSULA Dojo to plan visit. Rika called from Eguchi to confirm my order of Jin Kote. I requested for my name embroidered in Katakana (in silver). She said that it will take
4 weeks to get. that in November!!! Can't wait.

09 Oct Tournament Day

D Day. My First Shodan Match

Met at 7am at the Dojo. Rode with Jessie, Van, Steven. Line up and Roll call at 9am. Kata Demonstration was great.
Ikkyu Matches: Tammy and Steven. Adult Kyu matches: Van (2nd round), Jason. 1-2 Dan Matches: Me, Won, Mr. Young, Jessie, Ji Su.

everyone Came out ! Mom, Len and Kids, Jay/Nhi and Kids!

Lost in first round to Keith Kawagishi/Costa Mesa. I was very happy with the match. Though lost, I was comfortable and not nervous, got some good swings. Sabumnim was satisfied.

alot of work put in 2 months/34 lbs.
1000 suburis in 1000 days
I can only get better.

07/08 Oct 2005

07 Oct

Short practice. still resting out the wrist for this weekend. Found with JB. Van.

08 Oct

Saturday last practice before tournament. Won. Ryan. Michael came in at 10:30 am.
Jason came along to practice.

05 Oct 05

A bit fatigued from daily practice. Will rest tomorrow to recover.

1-0 today. Fought against Mr. Won.

Men.
Kote.

Practice 03/04 Oct 05

10/03 Early at practice today. We had a visiting Sensei Parl, 7th Dan from Cypress to teach match etiquette and terms.
2-0 on practice matches. Had a spar with Hagiwara 3dan from Sho Tokyo.

Reminder: bring forearm down to defend Do. Improper to block with arms raised and lowered shinai.

10/04

Dropped off by Ellen. Practice matches today 2-1. focus on defensive moves to counter kote strikes.

Practice 28/29 Sept

28: total are all practice matches preparing for the tournament. My match was with Jisu. I felt fine going into the match
with a quick Men score and a push out of boundaries. He countered with 2 successive Do strikes and took the win.

Lesson: bring arm down and protect Do as fast as possible.

29: Started with Mike then JB then Mr. young.

Felt really comfortable with the swings today. Arms still wrapped from the mishits of sparrs 2 days ago. Prepare for practice with Sensei from Cypress on Mon.

Practice 27 Sept 05

3 rounds of practice with IlKyu students. A missed hack on forearm left a mean bruise. Must come daily for the next week to prepare for the tournament. Dojo Matches will start tomorrow.

Pratice 22Sept05

Almost a week w/out practice but was back today. Started around 7:30p missing pratice going straight to spar w/ Van, Won, unknown 1Dan guy. Then did a second set w/ Ji Su and Jason. Felt comfortable with my Kote hits though immediately out of breathe. Won paid for the SCKO registration so I paid him back for $15.

We all had to stay to assemble new Bogu racks since the Dojo is growing leaps and bounds! out at 10pm.

Practice 16 Sept 05

In at 7:45pm. Sparred with a new 3dan visitor. then on to VAN. He has improved much on his blocking. Then fought with Jason. It seems that I lasted a bit longer tonight which is great.

Sabumnim reminded me to make sure to extend amd finish my strokes and step out up to 3 steps to ensure that I get the point.

Practice 12 Sept 05

Last day of vacation so I wanted to make sure that I get a practice in. I was a bit late during group practice. Had a round w/ Mika, Mr. Young and Jason--He is a new kendoka but is quick and has some raw talent.

Practice 09 Sept 05

Day off from work. Joined 5:30pm intermediate class. Practice is much easier w/ mostly 6 reps. Feeling still winded really early. Must slow down on yunggyungs. breathe better and more evenly. Keep arm leveled when doing men. correct follow-through on all swings- keep arms raised. step out more.

Practice 08 Sept 05

Back to practice after a day off. In by 6:30 pm. Visiting 3dan Lee from WLA leading so for sure this will be a rough practice. Kuwahara from Sho Tokyo is visiting as well.

Brutal 1hr workout starting with long streches then successive yunggyoungs and Mori's. Sparred with Mr. Won then Jason.
Feet all blistered but felt ok in general.

1000 suburis 1000 days.

Practice

Group practice at 7pm w/ Sabonim leading> I was paired with a newcomer. Then spars with Scott, Mr. Young, Jessie. Finished
at 8:30pm. Heard that Ryan may be leaving Dojo. He is one of the last remaining attendees from last year (except for Mr. Young). Everyone else is new.

Practice photos/n.kim

Master Young Kim

Sabunim-
7th Dan
founder of YunKumJae Dojo

A constant inspiration.

Fri 03 Sept

Missed Practice for 2 days and feeling sluggish. Got to the Dojo at 7:30 not knowing that practice is set to finish at 8pm because everyone is going out for dinner tonight.

Got suited and ready by 7:45pm and fought briefly with Michael and Ji Su. Afterwards Won drove with me to the restaurant and I sat down w/ Jessie, Ji su and Scott.

Had a great time during the dinner which made everyone feel more comfortable with each other.

Looking forward to going to Mammoth. I brought the swords to practice my daily suburis

Kids Kendo Club-Japan

Practice Mon 29 Aug 2005

Great practice today-

In late around 8:00pm. Sparred with visiting 3Dan from Sho Tokyo Kuwahara. She has an amazing Kiai which sound carried all over the dojo. By far, the best, most graceful, accurate, kote hits I have ever seen. I wish I could have practiced with Her more.5 month plan to prepare for 2Dan with Won.

1000 suburis in a 1000 days.

Photo:
Sabumnim sparring with Kuwahara.
7th Dan vs 3 Dan

practice

YunKumJae Dojo

Thurs- Day off

Kendo at 7pm. Group work out. Won taking the lead. Not too many guys there tonight. Sparred with JH. He missed a hori
and couldn't do the Sumok-Hori-Mori combo. Sparred with Scott then Mr Young. Felt sluggish with blisters still persisting>

Nisei Tournament 2005