Mr.Tanuki
Featherweight

hey how goes training?

I unplugged my TV and stuck it in the closet when I first got here. I tried to watch it a couple of times and it's just stupid. It's like Japan is stuck in the 70s at best.

I have about sixteen months here. I'
m kind of tired of it but I have years left.

I wonder how many people are in Kansai on this site anyway. Might be worth starting a thread, but a location might not be easy to find. I'm in Osaka, you're in Kobe, I know one guy who is in Hiroshima but that's an expensive trip for a throwdown. Have you heard from anyone else in the area?

Hell, I'd love to see Japan again. I still have dreams about the Kyomizu shrine, it was a very memorable place for me.

My Taiji style is a Yang derivative, founded by Cheng Man Ching. Originally he called it "Yang short form," but it features several significant stylistic changes (more emphasis on straight upright form, short frame, more loose, less emphasis on twist step, and fair lady hand as opposed to the Chinese tile hand.) Recently, I started mixing in some Zhaobao push hand methods.

Oh man, I remember Osaka. I got lost there once when I got off at the wrong train stop off one of the red train lines (there's several shades???)

One of the nice locals actually took me to the right train when I asked for directions. Luckily his English was better than my Japanese. He was missing a pinky if I remember correctly :p

It's cold here too, but then, I'm from a very cold country.

I spent some time in Japan as well, miss it a lot. Have some fond memories of Shibuya, Roppongi, and some parts of Kyoto :) Are you anywhere near Kyoto? Last time I was flying through, I was stuck in a far off corner in Narita, and didn't have time to go out and explore between landing and boarding. Next time I hope to give myself at least two days, and travel around a bit.

It's a pleasure.

How's Japan this time of year? What part are you from?