A while back I went to an aikido ’seminar’ with the dosshu Ueshiba, current head(dosshu) of the aikikai organization. This was in Ehime-ken, which is on the island of chugoku. We went went some friends that had a car, so we decided to make a weekend out of it as Matsuyama city is famous for its Dogu onnsen and foot baths(ashioo.)
The onnsen was fabulous. Dogu onnsen is a major player in japans cultural history, post meiji. A major novel was written at the onnsen. It is one of the few natural spring onnsens left in japan. The water has an extremely high sulfur and calcium content so it is supposed to work miracles. Anyways, it felt good and the surrounding area has mini onnsens where you soak your feet (ashioo.) I would recommend it to anyone.
The main reason we went was for aikido. So Sunday we woke up early and headed off to the local budokan for the seminar. It started at 10, so we gave ourselves and hour to get to someplace that was 15 minutes away. Short of the story, we showed up about 5 till and the guy at the door wouldn’t let us train, just watch. He was extremely rude by japanese standards. So between the female that got us there and the a$$h4t at the door, I didn’t get to train with dosshu, just watch.
The facilities were f*cking amazing. Jaw dropping. The building is maybe 5 years old and probably cost 100million USD to make. Pictures are up on flickr. The aikido dojo was maybe 90 tatami and the room was all laquered wood. Extremely beautiful. The rest of the building was along the same lines. From the rock garden in the center of the building to the fountains that run down the walls surounding the entry ways, breathtaking. A very wealthy local business built this building for the community.
As for aikido. Dosshu focused on irimi and irimi tenkan. Standard drills, just with the focus on irimi. Good stuff, I wish I was able to train. Oh well, thats why I am going to the All Japan Aikido Expo at the budokan in tokyo at the end of the month! 
Anyways, tomorrow we are leaving for Oosaka, Nara and Kyoto. This week is golden week, so a week long holiday. オケです。
See you on the fl1p s1de.
Damn, that’s too bad not being able to train w/ dosshu Ueshiba.
Now, what exactly is Golden Week? Does it have anything to do w/ urination?
damn, that suxorz. at least now we have undeniable proof that asians can’t drive.
Golden week is a series of the holidays that fall within a week. The government has created these to boost the economy. In addition, it allows merchants to jack the prices of everything up for the tourists.