I want black!

The Japanese Aikido conference in Tokyo is at the end of May and I want to be in black before I go. I`ll need a little time to wear-in my hakama, so I am hoping to be invited to grade for it in April.

March is my last month of six day weeks at work, from next month, I`ll be able to go to the dojo three times a week, maybe more. I`m feeling pretty positive about it, this was one of the reasons I came to Japan and I`ll feel like I can go home once I get it. I`ll need to stay rested and not spend so much time in front of the computer.

See more progress on: get my black belt in aikido

I can't remember exactly when this photograph was taken but it must have been soon after my first black belt grading. As you can see I am young, perhaps 13 years old, but already by this stage I had been training in Budo for more than half my life.
We all start from very simple beginnings, and when I see this photograph, I am reminded to maintain this humble outlook. I am once again a beginner and the road I am travelling is very long.

The journey of a thousand miles.

They say that the journey of a thousand miles starts but with a single step. Join me on this journey in aiki, from shodan to the great beyond.

宇宙合気