INTENSE...That's the only word I would dare use to describe the Japanese!  Courage, lust, Heart, & Happiness, words that echoed through my mind the night this picture was taken and they were all emotions that I faced in Japan.  Those same words were written in Hiragana (Japanese calligraphy) on my face as I headed out for an evening of unrepentant debauchery in Tokyos famous Shibuya district.  I've seen that Japanese are always quick to act on and speak out about what they think or feel. Just remember Subtlety is their hallmark.

I came to Japan to learn more of the basic techniques and concepts to be a full-contact, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fighter.  While in Japan I have been training heavily, under Kikuta Sanae (left), at Grabaka, www.Grabaka.com I won't bore you with all the statistics but he is a multiple title holder in many countries and he and his team are ranked among the top fighters in the ring right now.  On the left are pictures of our practices.  On the top right is one of my chief instructors, Misaki Kazuo.  He has never let our language barrier stop him from making me fully understand the technique he is teaching me.   The 3 under that are of a man who has one of the most exciting matches I have ever seen.  Gono Akihiro.  Before, during, and after he beat the guy on the left with punches, kicks, and superior grappling that finished his foe with an armbar!

The Edo Period Museum in Tokyo is one of my favorite places to visit.  Here I learned quite a bit about Japans most famous period, the Edo Period.  The time in history famous for samurai, theater, and Geisha.  The picture on the left is of an actor during a very exciting scene.  The two above are murals of Samurai fighting a fierce battle (middle) and Geisha women in the pleasure quarters (right).  I wonder if the samurai are fighting to see who gets to be first in line with the Geisha!

No, he didn't want to do it but my friend Pat, here on the left, let me snap a shot of him getting directions from one of the many street "hawkers" while I was in Chiba.  Advertising in Japan and in Asia in general is a lot more in-your-face than in other countries.   On the right, this lovely maiden is preparing a traditional japanese snack called Kibidango.  A sweet face like that could advertise anything (the girl not the panda!)

To pay  respect to my Sumo heroes Takanohana, Musashimaru, & the firey Mongolian and current Yokozuna/ Grand Champion Asashoryu I made a wonderful pilgrimage to the Sumo Museum in Ryogoku.  Unfortunately I wasn't allowed to take pictures inside so all I could muster for you is of this stone guardian who keeps silent vigil in front of the  tournament hall famous for sumo but that can accept, present, & represent the fighting spirit in any discipline...the Kokukigan!

A huge number of Japanese women are obsessed with dark flesh! The lady on the left and millions that you see in Tokyo every day spend quite a bit of money to get it.

To the left you can see that main entrance to the Sensoji temple at Asakusa Kannon.  Everyday hundreds of people come to see this monolithic dedication to the Buddhist God Bohisattva Kannon.  When I visited there was a service being held conducted by the monks.  They were dressed in traditional robes, just like the monk on the right.               ->

Yokohama, The city by the sea.  I often go to Yokohama to be with a more relaxed crowd.  The pace is much slower there than it is in Tokyo where I live.  On one of my outings i visited the "Yokohama Curry Museum" and had a blast!  There is curry of al sorts to be tasted and sampled!  The woman on the right is just one of the many who stand outside in semi-traditonal Indian wear, advertising to people on the street.

Below is a picture in the "Swinging Boat" ride a the Yokohama Sea Paradise.  A great place to visit for the animal shows, rides, aquariums or a romantic date ;-)

Left is a pic   with my co-workers.  (L-R) Nobu, Hiro, myself, & Yuko.

On a rainy day in December Jamelle & I convinced each other to call in "sick" and not go to work so was could have a day to relax together.  We ended up on one of the best dates we ever had.  We went to the NHK Museum!  NHK is Japans national news & radio company and they have a 4 floor interactive museum where you can be the television camera operator or be onscreen yourself.  On the left is my few minutes of fame!  The best part is that the whole museum is FREE!

Every video game hall & place where people get together for a good time there is a "Print Club". Everyone trades photos for thier scrapbooks Jamelle & I traded with each other ;)

Above and to the right are pictures from a Matsuri, a Japanese party/festival.  This one's held in Azabu-Juban.  The lady on top is playing the Taiko drum and the lady on the right is wearing a Yukata while Bon dancing.  Bon dancing and Taiko are two Japanese arts that ancient but still appealing to young and old.

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