Mindfulness

Memory: Japan’s most famous kendo dojo

by

I am jumping a bit in time for 2017.

In summer 2017 I was in Tokyo and I had an appointment with my teacher that I should have some kata practice.

I had to be dressed and be ready for training at. 6.00 am. When you have an appointment with my teacher, you will NOT be late unless you have been run over by a bus.

I showed up at the address and couldn’t get through the grid gate to Noma dojo. The Noma dojo was built in 1925 and it is the most famous kendo dojo in Japan and, to train, one must be invited.

Next to the building is a police station. All police officers in Japan practice kendo it is part of their job. Some of the best kendo athletes in the world are police officers. I went in there and explained to the officer who did not speak English that I was going to Noma dojo to practice.

He went along to the grid gate. I show him my teacher’s business card and point to the gate. He called spoke to a woman lady and, shortly after, the gate was opened. He points out which way to go.

During my stay I practiced a few times in Noma dojo. For me, training in such a beautiful and historic kendo dojo is a great experience.

The photo shows my teacher Hirakawa sensei (older gentleman) and a colleague Okada sensei that is very famous in Japan.

Read more about Sushi chef & sake sommelier Zoë Escher

_
Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

What is Japanese mindfulness?

by

In Japan, Japanese children learn from a very young age how to find inner peace and cultivate mindfulness.

In Japan, there are many Japanese children who practice the martial art kendo. It used as a children’s education. Through the martial arts kendo the children learn how to show consideration, respect, strengthen the mind, find peace within and be present in the moment. As an adult the children will benefit later from that when they make a career in a hectic cities such as Tokyo.

Since children have learned to find inner peace and balance at an early age it will be easier for them to navigate in a world that is becoming more and more interchangeable. They will be able to handle the unexpected circumstances with greater strength.

Read more about Sushi chef & sake sommelier Zoë Escher

_
Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.

What is the biggest difference between Japan and the rest of the world?

by

We live in the world becoming more and more heactic. There are many conflicts and discussions between different countries and cultures.

Japan is a small country with about 130 million citizens and despite of that Japan is what I would call a very quiet country.
The Japanese culture is very different from the rest of the world. Japanese children learn from childbirth, to speak and treat others properly through eg. martial arts used as childcare

The Japanese also learn to think of others before themselves and in win win. It makes Japan a comfortable country. Japan is one of the safest countries in the world travel in if you as a woman travel alone.

Read more about Sushi chef & sake sommelier Zoë Escher

_
Zoë has held sushi courses and cooking classes for A. P. Moller – Maersk, Hugo Boss Nordic, Novo Nordisk, Novartis, Velux, Gorrissen Federspiel, Beierholm revision, Elbek & Vejrup and many more.