Hodenji demonstration

On Tuesday, May 5th I and 3 gasshuku visitors of Ryu Dojo did a short 20 minute demonstration at the Hodenji temple's Meitoku Matsuri. Hodenji was first founded in 1553, a temple with a long history and a branch temple of the Minato-ku Jodo sect head temple Zojoji (Tokugawa family temple) located in Ichikawa City, Chiba prefecture.

With only about a 10 minute rehearsal in a nearby park, then just a small slippery plastic sheet between us and the hard concrete, we still managed to pull off a pretty entertaining enbu. Not sure if it was the aikido or just the fact that 4 white guys were in front of a traditional temple showing budo to Japanese people. Either way, a good experience and great ukemi training.