Andreas Almquist
September 2008 - November 2008
Nationality: Swedish
Dojo: Iyasaka Aikidoklubb
Mr. Almquist stayed in Tokorozawa dojo as an uchideshi for twomonths. Starting with 40th anniversary events, his uchideshi
experience seemed to give him a lot of opportunity to learn about manythings, including his own self. From September to November; hestayed in Japan at the best time of a year: the autumn.

Meeting Japan with No Expectations
Andreas Almquist
I'm writing this sitting on the beach on Koh Lanta island, Thailand a couple ofdays after leaving Japan and my uchideshi period. I am still trying to figure out
what really happened during my time as uchideshi. Trying to get an overview; Ihave to admit it is quite difficult. So many things happened, so it is kind of difficult
to sort in all the impressions.
I went to Japan with no expectations. Or more correct, just one – theexpectation that it would be different and that I would not have a clue on what it
would be like, so I should have no expectations. I set out my mind to just go there,
live in the moment and just see what happens. And I can tell you that being anuchideshi has been an experience for life. I have had a lot of fun, seen fantastic
places, met many new friends and of course, trained a lot of Aikido. Because that iswhat you will do as uchideshi, practice, practice and practice until your body isaching everywhere and then you practice some more. You will be really tired.
For me, in addition to all the excellent Aikido training, the uchideshi
experience gave me chance to learn more about myself and other people. Of course
you train a lot and practice techniques, refine them and learn some new. And thequantity training that you get here really improves your Aikido, no discussion about
that. But, at least I think, the real deal is to master your own mind when you arereally tired and have to share quite little space and no privacy with several otherpersons, people that you have never met before, which are from other countries andcultures than yourself and that see things differently than you do. When you arereally tired and have had little sleep than this becomes your real challenge.
During my stay we there were many uchideshis from staying in the dojo. Due
to Kobayashi Dojo 40th anniversary many people
had come to participate in the celebrations andchoosed to stay a couple of weeks after the event.
The good part by being many is that all cleaningand other uchideshi duties goes fast and the life
becomes easier for everyone. If everyone helps
out and takes care of the rest of the group the best
situation. If someone doesn't, it will leads toirritation and bad atmosphere. Trust me, I know.

Personally I found the uchideshi life quite
relaxing actually. There is a lot of hard work withall early mornings, cleaning and training thatmakes your body ache everywhere. But the life isvery predictable. You know your schedule andwhat needs to be done. Every day is almost thesame. The only thing you have to keep track of iswhen you have to get up in the morning. At
4:50am to go to Kodaira dojo and clean or if you
can sleep until 7:30. And your biggest decision that day might be if you should stayin the dojo and sleep or if you should go to the Onsen for a wounderful bath andmassage. You will need both so some day you have to skip sleeping. For me, theuchideshi time has been for my soul the same thing as Onsen is for your body. Veryrelaxing and not at all boring as it might sound. Trust me on that to.
During my time in Japan I have meet the most wonderful people and many new
friends for life. First of all Kobayashi Sensei who always has a big smile and close
to laughter. He really can enlighten your day by just be present. And then Hiroaki
Sensei, his lovely wife Miyoko-san and daughter Kaho-cyan. Hiroaki has, like hisfather, close to laughter and has really impressive Aikido. I have learned a lot fromhim. Miyoko-san makes the most wonderful breakfasts. Without her the uchideshi
life should not have been so great as it has been. Kaho-cyan always have a big
smile and can enlighten ones mood when she peeps in to the dojo to say
Ohayogozaimasu (good morning) before going to school. Then all the other
instructors at Kobayashi dojo, Kasahara sensei, Koyanage sensei, etc., who always
are eager to help us uchideshis and also let us know when we can improve (especiallyin cleaning, thank you, Kasahara sensei). And then of course all the wonderfulmembers of Aikido Kobayashi Dojo which helps to take care of you and make sure
you feel at home.
If I should give an advice to the reader it would be to keep in mind why you
wanted to be an uchideshi. What the reason was that you enrolled. Then, try tohelp everyone as much as possible without sacrificing your self and your goal. Youalso need rest and some time alone. Make sure you get it. One thing that also canbe good to have in mind if you share your uchideshi time with others is that everyone
comes here for a different reason and most certainly have different goals with theirstay than you have.
I am not going to say anything about the Japanese culture, food, way to party,etc. That I leave to you to experience for your own.
Finally, I have had a really great time and will certainly go back again.