[joulseenjoync]

I really dont know where to begin here.....when I was 5 years old I first started martial arts in the Detroit area. After about 2 years I had worked my way up brown belt, the level below black in our dojo. I looked up to our sensei, but one night he decided to take the profits of the dojo and close up, never telling anyone. Ever sense then school and money issues have prevented me from continuing my education in the martial arts. It feels like a peice of me has been missing for a long time, now that Ive turned 18 I have a little more freedom, hopeing that I can continue my study of the arts. My finances and life are starting to turn around more. I know this may sound silly or stupid to some of you, but its has been a dream of mine for awhile to travel to japan and find a dojo. I dont wish to stay for a month or two and study, I want to dedicate the rest of my life to this. As a gift of my graduation my family has agreed to fly me to japan, but I know after reading here that it takes much much more than that. What can I do to begin the process of finding a sensei and a dojo to study and stay. I want this to become a way of life, not just a hobby...I would like to become an apprentice to a sensei and live the life of a student of martial arts.

[oranowdenda]

It might help to get some contacts before you go. You want to have some sort of direction before you just waltz over to a totally different country to look for a sensei. See if you can get in contact with some over there before you go.

You can also check out http://www.e-budo.com and ask in the forums about people that might be willing to accept apprenticeships (sp?)

[RLRWai4B]

The lifestyle that you are describing simply does not exist anymore unless you are already a top ranking police dojo instructor. I would say that 99% of the kendo people in the world "dedicate their life to kendo" by practicing as frequently as they can, but they still have day jobs. Yes, you can come to Japan. Yes, you can practice lots of kendo. But you will still have to work to finance these endeavors. If you have a substantial sum of money, you can live here fairly cheaply. If you do not have college bills, learn to cook so you don't eat out every meal, walk when you can or buy a monthly train pass to discount the transportation fees, you could live here for as little as $1100 (US) per month as a rough estimate. This budget does not include alcoholic excursions which can greatly ruin this budget. So you can live here and only do martial arts for as long as you have money for, but I would recommend getting a part time job or enroll in a school program here so you have a reason to be here, thus allowing for a longer visa permitting you to officially stay, and that will fill your time when you are not practicing at the dojo.

Some places you may want to look for housing are "leopalace". I have not lived in one of those places, but I know some people who do, they will rent to foreigners, include utilities, are usually very new, and you won't have to pay a huge sum of money that is involved in initially renting an apartment here at first. You should pay all the money up front because through organizations like them, it discounts the rent a little.

Your dream of living here and doing lots of martial arts is possible. Your dream of only doing martial arts is not. Sorry... you should either enroll in a college program here, or at home, get your degree and this will give you some career options, since usually for even the most basic teaching english job in japan you have to have a college degree, and then you can find work to fit into your schedule. You haven't really been a gaijin (foreigner) in japan unless you have taught english at least a little while, or so the story goes. Most jobs will help foreigners to find housing as well.

Unless you have a vast, never ending supply of funds, you will have to work, or live here and just enjoy the country until the money runs out.

[Yswxomvy]

Just because the life doesnt exist in modern day Tokyo, or in another part of Japan, doesnt mean that it was bashed out of existance by the modern day world. This isnt just some half cocked idea that I came up with after watching some anime. Western ideals have pretty much over taken the modern day world...the days of honor and purity are gone. People go about there days causeing and recieveing emotional and physical harm like the exchange of money. This is...I guess a dream of mine that Ive had for a long time, and Im not going to let someone stomp it by saying something to the effect of, "Nice try, come again." Thankyou to the person who pointed me in some direction. Im simply trying to draw as much information as possible from as many sourses as possible. What im hopeing to do some day is find a dojo to stay at, work there, live there, train there. I know it sounds eutopian, but Im not going to stop untill I find that place

[Cabinanteerip]

Something smells very fishy... is it just me or do you guys have the same feeling of "a certain someone" is back (judging by the misspells)

Don't meant to be rude, but we have bad trolls around lately. You can't blame me for being suspicious...

If you're not. I think you should be cook at France can get you that life, but no martial art... or maybe the shaolin monks will take you in but I bet you're not interested in shaving your head, and eat vegies everyday. So good luck finding one...

[QEoMi752]

I'm not trying to take apart your dream, but...

Most dojo are run in school/community gyms, not a good place to live, IF there is a place to live.

Most people who work at the dojo that are not school gyms are still pretty much volunteering.

It's a nice dream. Most of us would be doing the same if we could. Just because I say these negative things doesn't mean that I have stopped looking for ways to live that dream too, but I don't depend on finding that solution while ignoring my other options.

You also have to remember that you can't do kendo 24 hours a day. The body has to rest at some point, and during those times you could be working a normal, full time, college educated job and earning big bucks instead of being a receptionist or janitor at a budokan (cause those are the only paid jobs I can think of that they have there) and earning essentially minimum wage. Not that there is anything wrong with being a janitor or receptionist, but if I remember correctly you are 18? And that is way too soon to limit your career options when you could be bound for something that pays so much more and has more room for promotion and growth that those two jobs.

Ultimately, I suggest that you visit first, live here a little, get the lay of the land, and then you will be able to sort out more of the details of your dream first hand.

And might I suggest teaching... I'm biased towards this career since it's what I do, but it does provide a lot more opportunities for you to do kendo, like doing kendo at your school's practices or running the club when you get good enough. Teaching will give you more freedom and access to a place to train that is convenient for you to do kendo than the usual 9 to 5 office/salaryman job.

[assohillA]

I understand you may be able to apprentice with the Mushashi-kai if you are very lucky and humble. They use a 2SwordStyle, and have good SwordTeachers too...

[bypeTeenehalT]

Money issues have prevented me from continuing my education in the martial arts. And you think this money problem is going to just go away after you turn 18 and fly to japan? Sorry to piss all over your parade, but i'm going to be blunt here: I understand your dream, but thats all it is. A dream, and not a very realistic one (not in todays society or reality, at least). Many sensei have OTHER jobs....teaching martial arts alone isn't going to be enough to support yourself. Unless, of course, you pull a Steve01/Mr. Hilziner or Ashida Kim and set up a highly commercialized Mcdojo.

If your REALLY want to continue studying martial arts, go to college and see if theres an MA club there, or a dojo in the area.

What can I do to begin the process of finding a sensei and a dojo to study and stay. I want this to become a way of life, not just a hobby...I would like to become an apprentice to a sensei and live the life of a student of martial arts. Stay where? The dojo? hrm....no, I don't think thats going to fly too well. I probably could count the number of live-in dojos on my left hand. No, you'd actually have to get a house/apartment, and if finances are slowing down MA learning, the sure as hell owning your own apartment is going to bring it to a dead halt while trying to work 18 hours a day making minimum payments on your dirt-poor apartment. Assuming you find a job, that is.

If your serious about practicing MA, GO TO COLLEGE, STUDY, AND GET A GOOD JOB!!! See if theres an MA club/dojo at or around the college you go to. Practice on the side, but focusing your entire life on MA alone is going to screw you over. Flying to japan is going to screw you even faster.

[wMceqj7F]

... the days of honor and purity are gone. OK. Time for a reality check! Exactly what days are these for which you yearn? I think someone has been watching a bit too much anime. If you'll read some history, you'll find that those days didn't exist any more than the days of chivalry of the European knights. It's a nice ideal, and there may have even been one or two people that actually achieved that ideal. Not reality though. Reality is only human, and we live in a much more civilized age than the world has ever known, despite all of the things wrong with it.
If your serious about practicing MA, GO TO COLLEGE, STUDY, AND GET A GOOD JOB!!! That is perhaps the best advice I've ever heard for someone serious about the Japanese arts. It takes ALOT of money if you want to get serious about it.

[Enjoymms]

Just because the life doesnt exist in modern day Tokyo, or in another part of Japan, doesnt mean that it was bashed out of existance by the modern day world. This isnt just some half cocked idea that I came up with after watching some anime. Western ideals have pretty much over taken the modern day world...the days of honor and purity are gone. People go about there days causeing and recieveing emotional and physical harm like the exchange of money. This is...I guess a dream of mine that Ive had for a long time, and Im not going to let someone stomp it by saying something to the effect of, "Nice try, come again." Thankyou to the person who pointed me in some direction. Im simply trying to draw as much information as possible from as many sourses as possible. What im hopeing to do some day is find a dojo to stay at, work there, live there, train there. I know it sounds eutopian, but Im not going to stop untill I find that place

We're not trying to stomp on your dream, we're just trying to tell you that you really can't dedicate your life to just learning martial arts, working and living at a dojo. It just isn't possible anymore. The only thing that's close is if you become a high ranking kendo practitioner and teach at a police dojo as was said earlier. These days dojo's aren't lived in, nor do they have jobs there. All kendo practitioners are either students in school or have regular day jobs. The only thing that I can think of that would be close is if you managed to get accepted at the IBU and figure out a way to teach there yourself. I don't know the details behind such an idea but it's a start and the only thing that is remotely close to what you're looking for. I lived in Tokyo for 12 years and studied judo for a large portion of that time and my sensei had a regular day job. Our dojo was rented space that was taken care of by custodians and our monthly membership fee went towards the cost of renting the space. While your dream is very utopian, it is something that just can't become a reality anymore, at least not very easily.

Here's how it could work:

1. You somehow manage to get an unlimited source of income to finance this endeavor (payment for food, housing, etc.) so you can focus purely on martial arts.

2. You earn enough money to live in Japan in an apartment with cheap rent, eat and live cheaply, get a job to pay bills, and continue to study martial arts.

3. You enroll in the IBU, study martial arts there for a few years, get a job in Japan, live a very spartan life, and devote all your time to martial arts.

The first idea is higly improbable whereas the last two are possible, albeit difficult to pull off. In the end it's up to you what you want to do with your life, but know this: it is impossible to live in and work at a dojo these days and in order to continue practicing martial arts you need a good job. Once you have a steady source of income and a way of staying in Japan, you'll be all set. Just make sure your passport is up to date .

[nmnrIjGB]

You guys act as if I don’t know anything about the world and I have no modern day education. I have a year and a half of college and a CCNA Certification, which allows me to make around 50,000 a year. A+, Net +, and Security + Certifications are on the way.
OK. Time for a reality check! Exactly what days are these for which you yearn? I think someone has been watching a bit too much anime. If you'll read some history, you'll find that those days didn't exist any more than the days of chivalry of the European knights. It's a nice ideal, and there may have even been one or two people that actually achieved that ideal. Not reality though. Reality is only human, and we live in a much more civilized age than the world has ever known, despite all of the things wrong with it. Look at the text above, there is your reality check. As for worldly possessions, and shaving my head? I really wouldn’t care...the last months of my life have been trying to find that right dojo...I think I’ve finally found it as well and met with its sensei. The best thing is that it’s only about 50 minuets drive away, so not a terribly long drive. I thought I may have had to relocate but I guess I got lucky Its principal is that a sword is to protect, and all of its kata’s give that option until the very last blow. My sensei has been learning it for 20 years and has only taken a handful of tests. Each year the sensei takes the most gifted students to Japan to be graded. I just hope that I can prove myself worthy of this. My sensei also has a student that has taken his vows to come a monk, and is willing to help me down that path as well I would assume.
http://www.ustamiyaryu.org is the place if any of you are interested in the validity of my statement. And the life that I would like to live is possible, with time and dedication. Just because you have a few kids who watched a bit too much anime come and annoy you on the boards please don’t treat everyone like that. Right now I’ve been searching for the right temple to begin to serve at in the area, but in Michigan I think that’s going to become the most difficult task

[parishilton]

At least you tried to spell checked this time... but your grammar is still worse than me.

Thank god you've found your dojo, now go practice your swordwork... oops... I meant kung-fu/karate or whatever the hell you're practicing.

[thighikergove]

I noticed that I made a few mistakes, but there is no editing after 5 min. As for the grammar, its 10 and I just woke up about 20 mins ago.

[TeksPaisimi]

Just because you have a few kids who watched a bit too much anime come and annoy you on the boards please don’t treat everyone like that. I'll try to respect this wish...
have a year and a half of college and a CCNA Certification, which allows me to make around 50,000 a year. And this is going to help you how? Newsflash: The economy sucks right now. Jobs are harder to find than they used to be. I doubt any place would be willing to hire someone with onl 1 1/2 years of college behind them when they other people applying who FINISHED college. Oh, and don't keep your hopes up about making 50,000 a year. Sure, its possible, but most people don't earn that much money right off the bat. Especially if they only have 1 1/2 years of college....you do realize that a bachleors degree is almost required for a good job these days, right?

Its principal is that a sword is to protect, and all of its kata’s give that option until the very last blow. sorry, i'm going have to break my promise on this one. This sounds like a RK quote. Most MA try to teach you to AVOID real life confrontation. The best way to win a fight is to avoid it altogether. And kendo...hell. Are you one of those people who walk around with a shinai all the time. If not, I doubt you'll be able to use kendo to protect people. This ain't the 1500's anymore. You can't carry a sword around with you, metal or wood.

[valiumcheapll]

Well, before you go saying that Im running around quoteing anime, please look at the dojos site and read its charter to prospective students. No you cant carry a sword around anymore, but what you learn in martial arts should carry over into your every day life. Im not trying to walk around dressed as a samurai...

[VFOVkZBj]

Well, before you go saying that Im running around quoteing anime, please look at the dojos site and read its charter to prospective students. No you cant carry a sword around anymore, but what you learn in martial arts should carry over into your every day life. Im not trying to walk around dressed as a samurai...

Id like to try and find a place in the Bekkesei program, if anyone could forward me some information on that, it would be wonderful.

And to those who have sent me PM's with information that is useful and not a flame, thankyou. I'll ignore your comment on Networking and CCNA, your talking out of your ass if you think that a CCNA Cert. person cannot find a job easily.

[medifastwoman]

And to those who have sent me PM's with information that is useful and not a flame, thankyou. I'll ignore your comment on Networking and CCNA, your talking out of your ass if you think that a CCNA Cert. person cannot find a job easily.

Isn't that amazing? Justin claims to be a network admin too. What a remarkable coincidence.

[icerrelmCam]

Im not going to waste my time flaming, sorry. Does anyone have any info on the Bekkasei program? Google gave me nothing

[Gcromqgb]

Im not going to waste my time flaming, sorry. Does anyone have any info on the Bekkasei program? Google gave me nothing

Try training in Japan thread and ask there...

[P3bWjm1j]

http://www.kendo-world.com/forum/sho...light=Bekkasei