Then Sensei Yaguchi broke from the template slightly, having a bit more partner training than normal.  We did a series of three-time attacks today, mostly focusing on a chudan-jodan-chudan series of attacks.  The defender was allowed any blocks they wanted and the standard reverse punch counterattack.  I noted a few of Yaguchi’s senior black belts were working on reaching a long way with each punch and it was rather effective.  After that, Sensei Yaguchi called the 6th degree and higher black belts out to have them perform 5-time attack.  There was one pair that was particularly interesting to watch.  One of the instructors was really projecting with his punches and happened to tag one of the others in the face slightly.  The other guy proceeded to respond with his series of attacks on his turn, opting for what appeared to be a series of pressing blocks in lieu of the first four punches, opting to cover distance to try to land what appeared to be a strongish final punch.  It didn’t work out so well (not to mention looking a little… well… odd), as it was roundly blocked and then countered.

Since I had to make it back home so I could get to work by 8 am for a meeting, I had to leave a few minutes early right as the rest of the black belts were heading into Gankaku.  Probably best… I’m not sure I could have made it through that kata if I had to do it in 15 seconds… my memory of it is just not that strong yet.  The last day of Kangeiko is tomorrow!

Regardless, the drive went uneventfully (and it was beautiful) and we got there about 45 minutes before the rest of the group got back from skiing.  I was pretty well exhausted by this time, with Kangeiko training catching up with me quickly so we didn’t get out to sight see before it was time for dinner.  After we all ate and hung out, it was time to head over to the Snake River Saloon to see Meniskus play a set.  The venue is an actual saloon and was really small and cramped.  The stage/dancing area was PACKED full of drunk skiers and snowboarders, even Meniskus’s manager said it was pretty out of hand.  We stayed for their first set and then headed back to the condo.

After a semi-comfortable night’s sleep on the fold-out sofa, Tasha and I decided to make it back home earlier than planned.  We stopped along the way for some pictures, however we both agree that the weekend was a bit of a bust and we should have gone up there when we had more time.  Next time I’d like to try skiing since it really looked like fun, but that may have to wait for a bit.

After that it was on to sparring, where we did fairly basic kumite, starting with three time sparring using three punchs (one to the face, one to the body, then one to the face) with the other side defending as they desired.  Eventually, things ramped up as we switched groups and eventually Sensei Yaguchi told us nidans it was time for semi-free one time sparring against the 5th to 7th dan instructors.  At this point I was across from Sensei Yaguchi’s most senior student (I believe) and my thought process was this: “Oh crap.  Semi-free sparring with a 7th dan, I guess its GO TIME.” and began my attacks.  About halfway through the combinations, it was time to do side thrust kick.  Well, my first one nailed him and he loudly exclaimed “We don’t follow with attacks in jyu-ippon kumite!  You attack where I was at the beginning of the attack!!  It’s important to KNOW THE RULES!”

I bowed and said “Osu!” but was fairly embarrassed about it since I was directly in front of the rest of the group waiting to spar and I know everyone saw this.  After class, I offered him my apologies and he told me that there was no reason to be concerned.  He explained that he always corrects in that fashion when there is a chance for someone to get hurt and then he praised me on my strong spirit and respect.

But I did not let that encounter dampen my spirits too much!  Kangeiko is finished and Paul and I DID IT!  I’m all energized for more karate this year and I’m excited about getting to the Denver dojo to train with Sensei Yaguchi more often.  I really think that the Pekin dojo should consider getting a Kangeiko together, I was surprised how much value I got out of the extra training and the intentional focus on spirit.

Now, its time for some more ibuprofen and a shower!

Then it was kata time.  We started out with Tekki Shodan, Nidan, and Sandan.  Then Bassai Dai, Jion, Kanku Dai, and Empi.  Then we moved on to the rest of the katas by the count.  And by rest of the katas, I mean all the ones we could come up with: Hangetsu, Jitte, Gankaku, Kanku Sho, Bassai Sho, Chinte, Sochin, Unsu, Meikyo, Gojushiho Sho, Gojushiho Dai, Ji’in, and Wankan.  It had been years since I have done several (most) of these kata, but I wasn’t alone in that.  We muddled through and it was good fun.  During these katas we took turns picking a kata and counting it out, I had the honors on Hangetsu, Nijushiho, and Unsu.

We finished off the night with the Heian katas, between each kata we did some strengthening of our choice.  I did some pushups, crunches, and planks.  So in all, we did every kata Shotokan has to offer.  Now I am tired.

One more practice to go and Kangeiko is complete!

After a few iterations of that, we moved on to kumite.  The attacker would do lunge punch to the face, followed by two reverse punches to the body (basically, sanbon tsuki).  The defender would do the combination above, stopping after the first reverse punch.  We eventually did this with both legs before the standard kumite time was up.

Today’s kata was Hangetsu.  Sensei Yaguchi had us do the kata in groups, the first time slow to medium speed.  I made it through pretty well, Sensei Yaguchi corrected me regarding my rear hip sticking out in hangetsu-dachi (a problem I know I have).  The second time through the kata, we were told to perform in “in 30 seconds”.  The more advanced black belts had to attempt it in 15 seconds.  I got about halfway through, brainfarted and skipped to the last combination with the crescent kick too soon.  Embarassing, but as he said yesterday “mistakes make you interesting.”

That about wrapped it up for the class, however in between katas one of my friends in the dojo gave me some valuable and hilarious information.  Once during her training, she was doing Sochin and her instructor laughed at her.  Later, she found out why: it seems when pronouncing the kata, emphasis should be placed on the first syllable (SO-chin).  Said this way, it means “tranquil force” or “to keep the peace”.  Emphasizing the other syllable (so-CHIN) has a very different meaning: “low grade penis.”  Clearly, this is not something I’m ever going to ask Sensei Yaguchi about… I wonder if Sensei Quinn could confirm if this is the case.  If so, I know I’ve probably mispronounced it and will be fairly embarrassed.

Either way it’s good information to have so I’m careful with my pronunciation.

Today’s combination was slide back into back stance and do a knifehand block, shift forward into inline front stance and throw a rear leg roundhouse kick, and then step forward with a lunge punch after landing.  For whatever reason I was having difficulty with the transition between roundhouse kick and lunge punch, but I worked it out fairly well by the end of the basics segment.

The sparring section was a bit more interesting today.  The attacker came in with a stomach level lunge punch.  The blocker stepped back with the left leg and performed a downward sweeping block with the left hand (making it the opposite hand blocking).  After that the defender would step back at a 45 degree angle, twisting the hand from sweeping position into downward block position while maintaining proper distance.  The defense was finished with a rear leg front kick to the stomach.  For whatever reason, I couldn’t find the groove between switching from the sweeping block to the downward block and this was all complicated by the crowded room and the angular shifting.  But that’s ok, I’m happy to have something to work on.

Paul B. and I had to adjourn after the sparring section, leaving 15 minutes early to ensure we made it to a mandatory division meeting at 8 am.  That means I’d best stop blogging and find the shower so I’m not late.  Tomorrow will be a big day: it’s our dojo training day and I get to attend not one but two classes, one in the morning and one in the evening.

More soon!

It’s basically a pumped up iPod touch with specialized, cool looking apps, a higher resolution display, and built-in Wifi and 3G if you’re willing to pay a little more.  The best part is that the 3G is unlocked, so you can use it without having to a AT&T contract.  Also, the price is much lower than I anticipated… between $499 and $829 depending on the storage size and 3G option.

Here’s what I don’t like… aside from the iBookstore, which will provide books to the device there’s not much that feels “killer” about this thing.  Having a front facing camera for teleconferencing would’ve been really cool.

Am I going to get one?

I think I might do what I did for my iPod touch and wait for the second generation of these before I consider buying.  We’ll see once I try one of these out in person at the Apple Store.

• Basic Combination of the Day: reverse punch, stepping forward reverse punch, upward elbow strike, then stepping forward lunge punch.
• Sparring: Attacker does lunge punch, defender steps back into front stance and does a rising block followed by a switch back finishing with a rising elbow strike to the chin.
• Kata: Jion, twice.

That’s about all there is to say about today!  It was good training, still jam-packed, and it has been awhile since I’ve done Jion so it was really fun!  We’re expecting some snow in the Denver area tomorrow so we’re going to start out a bit earlier so we arrive on time.  We’re over halfway done now!

Our partners for this drill was the group of 5th-7th dan black belts, which was pretty cool.

After this was done, it was kata time in similar fashion to yesterday.  Today’s kata was Kanku Dai and I did just fine with the exception of a traffic jam midway through the kata which caused me to bobble the first kick heading into the knifehand blocks.  During the second time through the kata I did just fine.

More tomorrow!

Just like last year, I was met with a packed dojo full of mostly black belts.  We started off with warmups and basic combinations, but with such cramped quarters it was difficult to really do full techniques.  One of the combinations we did was chudan reverse punch, jodan reverse punch, and then rear leg front kick.  We moved on to doing one time sparring where the combination was stripped down to just the jodan reverse punch sliding in.  The defending side could block and counter however they wanted.

At one point I ended up across from someone in the group of 5th to 7th dan during this drill, and she instructed me to not block and attack at the same time but instead to block and focus on the pull back and then counterattack.  She characterized the way I was going at it as “not good”, indicating that counterattacking without a full draw was ineffective.  I found this rather perplexing… as I understand it sen-no-sen is a widely accepted means of counterattack.  All the same, I said “Osu!” and did it her way but I can’t help but wonder if either I was doing it wrong or if she just didn’t pick up on what I was trying to do.

Tomorrow I’m getting up to do it all over again!