Spring is in the air.

Training:
Now I've been here a little more than a month, literary soaking myself in Budo, going to different classes, trying to see the similarities and take with me every little clue I can get from each teacher. Though every shihan is different and move according to their body and personality, they should still have the same basic movements programmed into their nervous system.
Going to classes with non-Japanese shihans has helped me get some clues and a framework for what to look for and how to train my self to be able to make the movements I see. Of course you need to mimic your teacher, but it's impossible for me to move exactly the way he does. So I want to find the essential points in what the instructor is doing and mimic them and the feeling with which the technique is done. And that's where it starts being difficult, am I really mimicking or am I doing something that I think they did? The only thing to do is to put your movements to test, if my Uke tries to escape, can I still keep control? Can I move from where I am? Could there be another attack and I would be able to see/feel it and move accordingly?
It really starts being interesting! And for every "answer" I have 10 new questions. :)

On the class with Nagato sensei this monday he talked about the contract between training partners in the Bujinkan. That many of us will take ukemi even if we don't need to. He didn't say much more, but I interpreted it as we needing to train more as uke and try to keep our balance and posture for as long as we can, and don't take ukemi until we really need to. If we don't take care of our selves and remember that being Uke is also training we will fool our selves and our training partners, because they will never know if their techniques actually work or not.
On Sokes class this tuesday Soke said that we shouldn't try to do the same techniques as he does, but to look for the feeling and the essential points (kaname) and try to mimic that. He was in a really cheerful mood, throwing around his Ukes vividly. He's as energetic as ever and you forget the old man walking through the doors of the dojo when he comes up on the mat. Truly amazing! Being mostly confused about what actually happened on the mat, I tried just take in as much energy and feeling as I could. 

Life in general:
When Erik still was here we made our way to Ueno koen (park) two times and got to enjoy the blooming of the Sakura (cherry trees). It's really amazing how the Japanese make it a true feast to watch the flowers - hanami. People sitting under the trees, eating, drinking, playing music, playing games, enjoying them selves to the fullest! A little funny to see the otherwise really strict Japanese Business men getting drunk and making the funniest things, screaming. :D
The spring has almost come, it's getting warmer and the jacket has stayed at home a couple of days no. Nice!
Here are some pictures to enjoy:

 Also found some funny signs around Tokyo. Here's a couple of them!

At Bic Camera.
And the lord sayeth....

In Harajuku.
Say what!?