[tigoCeree]

I had the pleasure yesterday of practicing with Satoru Harada sensei, winner of the 2005 AJKC. He came to our dojo in New York (Shidogakuin), after attending the Detroit taikai over the weekend. He's scheduled to visit a couple of other dojos in NYC area today and tomorrow. Just wanted to share some thoughts and invite others who had/have a chance to do keiko with him to share their thoughts, too.

As you can imagine, we had a pretty large turnout, even though it wasn't our normal practice night. Harada sensei conducted about a 40-minute workshop on suburi, men-uchi, kote-uchi, and kote-men. Then we did mawari-geiko for about 2 minutes each, so that everyone would have an opportunity to do jigeiko with him.

I found him to be a good communicator, which is not always the case with people who are naturally gifted. But then again, as someone who entered the AJKC about 10 times before finally clinching the title, I also got the sense that he has had to give a lot of thought to what exactly he is doing, which is perhaps why he is good at communicating his teaching points.

I also found it inspiring that he is actually not that physically imposing, contrary to the impression I got watching him on video. I'd say he's about 5'-7". But boy can he move. And his fumikomi is pretty damn amazing. In fact, during the workshop, he was said how a good fumikomi can convince judges to award ippon even if you miss your target a little bit. He also was kind enough to share his tokui waza -- a certain variation of kote. I'll keep that under wraps for now, since I don't want to spoil the fun for others who have yet to practice with him.

All in all, very humble guy and a good communicator.

[Eh085zE7]

The experience in Detroit was extrememly similar except that the mawari geiko was limited to only a few sensei because of the amount of people. I agree with wahat has been stated. Harada sensei is amazing at moving swiftly. His sutemi is what got me the most. Thanks for the post.

[IteseFrusty]

I got to watch him for an Hour and a half. I took 40 minutes of video of him doing Jigeiko.

He realy is amazing. If I can, I will upload some of it.

[55TRATTERENRY]

that would be great Ahmed, please do so. (if you have time) I agree with Halcyon, Harada sensei did have this very coherent way of explaining things. Anyways, I was that close to a kendo God. now I can die without regrets. hahahaha

[Searmoreibe]

He also had a very coherent way of beathing the crap out of everyone too. Realy amazing. His fukiomi is realy powerful, and every cut was just so crisp. It realy has to be seen.

[Mumeseest]

Ahmed, how many people showed up for practice last night? And did you guys do mawari geiko?

[Koayrbzh]

There were only around 30 people. If I would have suited up, I would have been able to practice with him.

No mawari geiko. Everyone lined up for him. After people got their turn, they started practicing with eachother. I think it was better that way, because everyone got a chance to watch and learn. I learned a lot watching him, now I just need to get back to teh dojo and put it to work.

[emupsMaispubs]

I tried to upload the Video on Youtube, but its 890 megabytes, and youtube wont let me.

This sucks.

[Kitdowstyhodo]

I tried to upload the Video on Youtube, but its 890 megabytes, and youtube wont let me.

This sucks.

Do you have Adobe Premiere Elements? You can save for the web, and it will do the compression for you.

[Viyzarei]

Do you have Adobe Premiere Elements? You can save for the web, and it will do the compression for you.

NO, I dont have that program....I cant even figure out how to burn it to a CD.....

I am officially computer retarded!


I am probably going to give the memory stick, that I used to record it, to my friend and see what he can do with it. Its just such a friggin huge file!

[Tactattcahhaw]

I have 2 fairly crappy (quality) videos of Harada-sensei at Detroit. They're about a minute long each, but as I said, they're not fantastic quality.

If anyone would be interested, I could post them up on YouTube. I also got to take a picture with him which was insanely intimidating. I was trying my hardest not to tremble when I shook his hand.

P.S. Thanks for the "motivation" Chris, if you're reading this.

[bloriMal]

u shook his hand? then you must have been one of the finalists for one of the divisions. don't ever wash your hand. it's a national treasure now!

[beenBinybelia]

u shook his hand? then you must have been one of the finalists for one of the divisions. don't ever wash your hand. it's a national treasure now!

On the contrary! I lost the first match...My sempai pushed me toward him and I got so close that I had to say something. I couldn't even speak really...

But as for washing my hand...you're right! Even Tagawa-sensei said that as he passed by!