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Published: December 18th 2011
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This weekend I finally got round to bubble wrapping my house. Most of the big windows are now covered and I hope it adds a bit more insulation to my living room and bedroom. It will also give me something to do during the long winter evenings - when I get bored of Japanese TV I can pop my windows to my hearts content.
I had a nice surprise Saturday afternoon. I'd just settled down to lunch when I heard some kid's voices outside my window. I figured it might be the kids who live the other side of the rice paddy as I sometimes give them sweets if I seem them around the village. I ignored them for a bit, but then I heard tapping at my door. It turned out to be four little boys from elementary school (I think they are about 8 or 9). They looked sheepish and shy and I wasn't sure what they wanted at first, but then I realised they'd come by to give me a gift of a big packet of crisps. It made my day - when kids spend their pocket money on a gift for you, it doesn't matter what
it is, it makes the teaching seem worthwhile. I did some Christmas lessons the last couple of Fridays at elementary and gave all the kids a small gift (just some stickers and erasers) - so I think this present was to say thank you.
Today, Sunday, I was probably the most nervous I've been since I arrived in Japan. I had my first karate test - the 9th Kyu. My friend Jane and I have been training hard this week - as well as our usual Thursday lesson our sensei kindly let us go in Saturday evening to fit in a couple more hours of much needed practice. I know the routines now but I have numerous bad habits I still need to break.
I was so nervous about it I even had a horrible dream the night before that my alarm didn't go off and I missed the test. The dream was so real I thought I really had messed up, until some surreal dream stuff started to happen and I was back in the UK and I willed myself to wake up. I woke in a cold sweat, thankful it was only 8 am. I arrived
at the dojo for 11am, ready for a full on five hour session. There were 30 kids there from about 6 to 16 (Jane and I were the only adults and the only foreigners taking the test). At our level most of the kids taking this test were about 6 or 7 and pretty damn good at it! There were kids taking the test at every level, and it was impressive seeing the ones doing their brown and black belts.
At one end of the hall sat all the kids taking the test, and many of their parents. At the other end, a table of six bad-ass black-belt karate judges. We had to perform three different routines in front of the judges with them watching our every move. Very intimidating - my heart was beating like mad and my palms were sweaty. I managed to do the routines - although my delivery wasn't great, but I didn't mess up and I didn't tread on my partners feet like I did in the practice session the night before. I left the dojo relieved and knackered!
On a complete tangent, I've been meaning to post about the little critters I keep spotting at night on my drive back up the mountain. The animal in question is the tanuki - a funny little racoon-dog like creature. It seems to be the season for them to run kamikaze style across the roads late at night. I've had a few near misses with the little fellas. A few of the other teachers I hang out with have also spotted stags, foxes and monkeys on the roads too - although we are all yet to see any bears.
There is a lot of interesting ancient Japanese folklaw associated with the tanuki. They are sometimes viewed with suspicion as mischief makers and shape-shifting tricksters, but also as bringers of prosperity. You see funny little statues of them outside restaurants, bars and shops, wearing straw hats and carrying sake, and, rather amusingly, with giant scrotum hanging down to the floor! (The origin of which I think has something to do with good fortune as they are known as "money bags"...).
Anyway, my bed beckons and I hope I have sweeter dreams now I've been put through my karate paces.....Daniel Larusso eat your heart out!
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Walter
non-member comment
Karate belt
Vic, how are you? You dont say if you got your belt! Your blog is great, and so beautifully written. Have a great bah-humbug!