Training at the Kodokan part 2

I moved into the dormitory. Bit of a step down from the luxury of Hotel Sunroute, but for 1800 yen/night it's worth the money.
A couple of European guys were staying there amongst many others that I met over the following 5 months.
I'd chosen to take part in the beginners class.
In this class, a student can learn the original Kodokan judo that has been passed down from Jigaro Kano.
The first 3 months were spent pracitcing breakfalls, grips, correct positioning, how to break your opponets balance, and of course the techniques.
From Monday to Friday; 17:30 - 19:00 I studied.
After 3 months of this, you are deemed to have covered all the basics and are ready for your first grading.
My first grading consisted of some rolling breakfalls, showing a random variety of throws which you perform when the sensei calls out each technique, and a fw holds/pins on the ground.
The following week a certificate is presented to you if you have passed this, and you gain you're first ranking. White belt - 5th kyu.
And so it cnotinues like this for the next grading.
Then, you move on to the intermediate group. In this class, new techniques/throws/chokes/armlocks are shown. You also have about 30 minutes of sparring (randori) to really practice your techniques.
For following gradings up to black belt, you are not required to show any techniques, instead, you have two fights from similar sized opponents of the same level. The aim here is not to go out and destroy your opponent in 1 minute, I found this out to my cost, but rather to perform the throws/techniques as they have been taught to you.
For the black belt grading, again, 2 fights, then you must perform kata.
The classes themselves are about 85% Japanese students. Some of the sensei's can speak a little English, some of the Japanese are able to speak a little English, and some foreigners can speak a little Japanese, so all in all communication isn't really a factor.
ALL the techniques are in Japanese, so it's best to get a book and practice. I don't know many names of tecniques in English.....
After the class finishes at 19:00 you can practice sparring on one of the other mats. In the main dojo on the 7th floor, 2 of the mats are for the classes, and the other 2 are for sparring.
Often, if you know enough Japanese, one of the older Japanese will take you under his wing and show you the ropes.
Wednesday is the only night when the classes are held on the 6th floor. The 7th floor is reserved for university and company teams. Don't go and spar with them if you're not up to a good level. You're gonna waste their time as well as your own. They're serious competitors.
I also participated in a summer course in 2004. They hold week long summer courses and winter courses.
As I said, many players come and stay on the 3rd floor. Many teams from Japan and abroad, and many individuals, such as myself.
It's easy to get information about other training in Japan from the Kodokan. As I stayed there for a while, a few others and myself got some free tickets to competitions and such like.
One sunday/month is usually competition time. You get to watch the university teams compete and it's a good experience. Plenty of chances to make friends.
One thing I noticed, most of the Japanese players have cauliflower ears compared to Europeans/Americans. Even the girls. When the womens Japan team came to train, there were a few really cute girls, but with big fuck-off cauliflower ears.
The 3rd. floor itself is a no-frills lodging area. TV in the common room. But it's the people that come to stay that makes it all worthwhile.
At the dormitory, I've met plenty of party animals, psycho's from Russia, lovely people from Sweden, smooth gigolo's from Italy and France, monsters from China and Taihiti, crazy Japanese, crazier Europeans, sensible Americans, cool people from Guam, a guy from Lebanon who had some unreal stories, but none of them comes close to the British people I met.
To sum up, I'll never forget the experience I had when I first came here. Training at the Kodokan gave me a glimpse into Japanese culture and behaviour, not only learning a martial art.
The Kodokan is reasonably priced if accommodation is a factor for you. Depending how many people are staying in the dorm, it can be quiet or a madhouse. The dormitories hold up to 20, but the most when I was there at one time was 8. All good fun!
The Kodokan is conveniently situated, about 15 minutes from Shinjuku. A nice stroll to Ueno/Akihabara/Ochanomizu.