Learn Katori Shinto Ryu

... that even in the darkest hour I was able to stick to this one (finding a great dojo in Amsterdam helped, I guess).
So, ladies and gentlemen, I’m really happy to announce that yours truly has learned (or sort of…) all the basic (omote) curriculum and has started studying the more advanced techniques.
Yay me!

just because here I can practice only on my own. Which in the long run is not that productive when it comes to swordfighting, eh?
I will wait for better times. I’m sure they’re coming.

Back from an international intensive seminar with a wonderful sensei on the mountains. A week marked by cold, rain, seven hours of practice a day, exchange, a sudden psycho-physical breakdown and then back on the tatami, some frustrations and lots of improvement (in my teacher’s words).
People from all over Europe (and beyond!), different approaches and points of view, but a common love for this ancient school. It’s hard to believe that tomorrow I will be at work and not asking people if they want to practice with me.

There should be an intensive seminar each month :(

naginatajutsu.
T-e-r-r-i-f-i-c.

I tried to kill myself in several pictoresque ways, but I survived nonetheless.
Not only it was very formative (and rough, for many reasons I don’t want to discuss publicly), I also got some seriously beautiful Japanese handwritings from my sensei.

I only need a genuine sword stand and then I’m all geared up for a real Japanese corner.

... this one seems quite neglected, while I kept on training almost steadily for the last two years.
Not that makes me anywhere closer to ticking this goal off, but who cares?

(and I’m really liking the bo training now. I used to hate it so much, and now it’s like I’m starting to get it!)

... saving some money in order to attend the super Katori Shinto workshop in Trentino Alto-Adige by the end of August! Seven whole days yelling and trying to smash peoples’ head with wooden sticks! YAY! :)

(the workshop shouldn’t be that expensive – a hotel room in Trentino by the end of August… brr)