A Karate dojo that fits in with your lifestyle

In my home country of America, it is currently Thanksgiving, which is a holiday where we reflecton the things that we are thankful for in our lives. This year, I am very thankful for the opportunity to take the karate black belt examination.

When I was around 6 years old and living in America, my mother enrolled me into a karate class. All students at the dojo were required to memorize the ‘dojo-kun’, which are a list of rules that are posted at the front of the dojo, and are recited at the beginning of each class. These rules state the values and principles of the dojo, and must be upheld by all students.

I was young, and for some reason I refused to memorize the dojo-kun. The karate sensei got angry with me, and told my mother that I was not a good student, and I must quit the karate dojo if I refused to memorize and recite the dojo-kun. I was very stubborn and refused to cooperate,and so I was forced to quit karate.

20 years later, I moved to Japan for work. I had always regretted quitting karate when I was younger, and so I felt this was a perfect opportunity to start training and redeem myself. I found Daikanayama Karate School and enrolled. I made a promise to myself that I would put all of myeffort into training.

This year, Saito Shihan selected me to take the black belt examination. I had only been training at the karate school for 3 years, so I was honored to be selected. Preparing for the exam was a lot of work, but I was determined to do my best. I trained almost every day by doing pushups and jumping rope. I also tried to mentally toughen myself by giving up foods that I loved, such as ice cream.

All the hard work paid off, because on Saturday, November 15th, I passed the black belt examination. I was very happy because I felt that I had redeemed myself for having quit karate when I was a child, and I proved to myself that I could succeed.

I have read that karate is a journey, and that attaining a black belt is really the beginning of that journey. The important thing is not the color of ones belt, but the actual process of training and growing as a person. I think this is very true, and so I look forward to continuing my karate training and improving myself as an individual.

Thank you again for this opportunity. Osu!