The Uechi Kanbun Kencho Hi

One of my favourite things to do on Okinawa is to go 'Shrine Hunting'. 

It all started on my very first trip here- searching for monuments in such a big, unfamiliar, new environment was one of the first memories of Okinawa that I have.

First, due to transport and time constraints we found the monuments related to karate masters that were around Naha, since then we have expanded to include the whole island. 

I think it's so cool because it brings the history and stories to life. It adds a whole new sense of reality and closeness to the past. 

In Karate we often hear the phrase 温故知新 'Onko Chishin'- It means to learn from the past and use the lessons they have learnt to assist your current search for understanding. 

I don't think that the Sensei's that have kencho hi in honour of their achievements in Okinawa ever realised what an impact they were to have on so many lives. 

I think they were just doing what they love to do and were following one of the cornerstone principles of karate- 'to try to be the best person you can be'. 

Yesterday was a really cool day for me because we had the opportunity to be at the unveiling of a new Kencho Hi- a very rare opportunity. 

This one is for Uechi Kanbun Sensei- the creator of Uechi Ryu. 

It is the first bronze statue in the prefecture and is a life-size statue of Uechi Sensei, Surrounded by shiquasa trees planted by current Okinawan Karate Masters. 

Uechi Sensei was born in Izumi, Motobu and so that is the reason the kencho hi is located in Motobu. 

The ceremony included the tree planting, a 'shishi mai' dance, speeches and Karate demonstrations by Uechi Ryu Karate-ka:

It is a beautiful monument in a really beautiful place and another reminder as to how influential just one person can be in the world.  

David and Hanna :)

Last week David and Hanna visited Okinawa for the first time from Maine (USA),
I knew them from when i visited my dad (who also lives in Maine), I got to train with
Troup Sensei on a few different occasions in the years before i came to Okinawa.
Considering they were so kind to me when i was in their part of the world, i figured it's
my turn to return the favour (and what better way to practice a few of my
tour days than with friends?!)

While they were here they took the opportunity to participate in some of our dojo
experiences including kumite and karate fitness, along with a couple of days touring
the island. Here’s an overview of how the week went…

Of course, the first port of call after getting off the plane was the DOJO bar:

On the first evening we went to visit Arakaki sensei in his dojo to train:

We then spent a couple of days sightseeing around the island, Day 1 was a
trip to the northern tip of the island which included a hike up Mount Katsudake to
some stunning views of the island and lunch at a local soba shop:

Followed by a visit to Nakijin- Jo castle ruins:

The next day we decided to head south to the peace memorial park-
it was a perfect day for it:

Of course, the day is not complete without stopping off at the roadside
egg vending machine for some snacks:

Followed by a late lunch- You can't experience Okinawa without eating a
whole selection of traditional Okinawan foods, so we just got everything!

David and Hanna also took full advantage of our ‘dojo experiences’ including
our 7am morning ‘Karate fitness’ and the ‘friday fight night’ kumite session with
Toguchi Sensei who is Okinawa’s Full contact kumite champion
(And in my opinion, the best bento maker on the island).

It was a really great week- and I very much look forward to Troup Sensei
and Hanna returning to the island- by then i will have perfected my tour guiding
skills and i might actually remember where everything is by then!! ;)

Dare to Believe

You know when you were a kid and your teacher would give you a task to do and then would set one of those sand timers where the sand falls from one end to the other?

Life for the last few years with visa renewals has always felt like that. 

Every time i have managed to get my visa renewed it feels like they just flipped it back over again, and as it starts to run out i begin to panic that maybe my time here has run out. 

You see, the longer i'm here the more i feel like i'm not 'finished' yet. 

Just like karate i guess; the more you learn, the less it feels like you know and the more there is to 'finish'

I didn't plan on staying here this long. 

Honestly i didn't even think i would make it through the first three months; and now, three and half years on this little island and all the people on it have stolen my heart. 

I'm happier and healthier here than I've ever been anywhere. Don't get me wrong it isn't all perfect, but it's the closest I've been. 

So my sand was running out and on my three year anniversary here James made a proposal to me about working together and potentially continuing my karate life here in Okinawa. 

Six months later-with a LOT of visits to the immigration office, paperwork, lawyers, one slight emotional breakdown and a whole host of people telling us that this was not possible. I began to believe it wasn't going to happen myself, but i had to give it everything so that if i had to leave here, it would be with no regrets. 

With the help from some really special people, and the odds against us;

We did it. 

Last week i picked up my new residents card and moved into my own little apartment near the dojo (thanks for the help Martin).  

It's small and not finished yet, but it's perfect for me. 

It's still super surreal, that everything has slotted into place so well and that what I've wanted to do since i was 16 is actually happening. 

This is going to be a big year for us and it's starting out pretty well. I'm going to hit my 4th anniversary here in October and I'll be here for the first anniversary of the dojo along with many other events happening this year and quite a long list of things i still want to do in Japan it's going to be busy but incredible.