On the weekend of August 26 & 27, the JAA is holding a training seminar at Kokushikan University (map), which is situated in Tsurukawa, northwest of Yokohama and west of Tokyo. The Sunday session is reserved for instructor training, which means I’m not attending, but I am joining the contingent that’s going for the Saturday sessions from 10-12:30 and 14-16:30, under the direction of Nariyama-shihan.

The training plan handed out last week said that the first session (10-12:30) will focus on randori kihon (basics) and practical application (ura waza, kaeshi waza, renzoku waza no henka [reacting to change]. The second session (14-16:30) will focus on perfecting & correcting kihon dousa and helping develop the ability to use waza in competition.

It should be interesting and fun!