MIA NEWS 183ed., Aug. (4)Miyakonojo International Association

Miyakonojo International Association
6-21 Himegi-cho, Miyakonojo-shi,Miyazaki-ken, Japan 885-8555
TEL 0986-23-2295
FAX 0986-23-3223
http://miyakonojo-mia.com
E-mail mia@btvm.ne.jp

International Kendo - Peter Lee (Miyakonojo ALT at Nishi High School)
Hi, I amable to hear stories
Peterfrom friends fromand I
Asia, America, all over
moved to Miyakonojo
Europe and everyfrom the UK at the end
where in-between.
of last year with the JET
The international kenProgramme. There are
do association has amany reasons why Imotto,“crossing Farewell practice for an
wanted to experienceswords and crossing International student andliving in Japan and one
borders “– it sounded teaching returning to Fukuoka.
of them is Kendo.
a bit silly at the start,
I grew up in the suburbs
but now this resonates with me a lot. Kendo has alof London, so I havelowed me to travel all around the UK attending comalways been exposed topetitions and seminars and now that I am in Japan, Idifferent cultures. My
have joined my school’s Kendo club, helping me
favourite thing to dobuild some better connections with my students.
was visit the many muKendo has helped me grow as a person, giving meseums. London has
more confidence to try new things and push myself
many world class museto get better. It also doesn’t hurt that it is a greatums, my favourite beway to exercise, certainly beats running a few km on
ing the British Museum
a treadmill!
– it is filled with artefacts from all over the Shudokan Dojo’s team for theworld! The museum has National Invitational armya section dedicated to taikai, 3rd Dan Adrian Durham
Japan which includes (Left), Peter Lee (Middle), andartworks, swords and 3rd Dan Rob Tyrell (Right).
samurai armour. I am Invites are only sent to clubs
pretty sure this is where that help with Army Kendo
my interest in kendo activities and development.
came from…
In 2008 I joined a London university kendo club; it isa great way to try kendo as you can borrow theclub’s equipment without all the upfront costs. The
best thing about training at a university club is the Peter and friends welcoming their teammate Ryotaro
diversity of people you meet, the club had students Tanaka back from Fukuoka. That’s the team Great Britain
from all over the world. Through Kendo, I have been captain in the back!

Shudokan Dojo group photo, taken after a regional tournament in Cheltenham, England.

MIA NEWS 183ed., Aug. (5)Miyakonojo International Association

Miyakonojo International Association
6-21 Himegi-cho, Miyakonojo-shi,
Miyazaki-ken, Japan 885-8555
TEL 0986-23-2295
FAX 0986-23-3223
http://miyakonojo-mia.com
E-mail mia@btvm.ne.jp

Aussie Bites! (An Unforgettable Beach Wedding & Australia Tour, MIA Member Ruriko Kodama)Via South Korea, I arrive in Sydney. Inthe scenery and the conversations we had have beJapan, it is late autumn. My destination
come wonderful memories. The night before I left Sydand goal is to attend my first ever beach ney, I was invited to a party at Tim’s home; everyone
wedding.
was still revelling in the afterglow of the wedding fromOn the day I arrived in Sydney, as a treat to myself, I
just a few short days ago. In their garden, there was aboarded a dinner cruise. The scenery at sunset, thelarge George Foreman grill that had been gifted to Tim,
night time view of Sydney from the boat, along with live which his father made full use of in preparing our meatmusic and delicious food… As if I was in a dream, all of for the occasion. The smiles on the faces of all the peomy stress from travelling suddenly drifted away.
ple gathered there, the pleasant conversation, the hosThe following day, I took a taxi to the beach where the pitality of the hosts, it was all fantastic! It all left such awedding would take place. We went barefoot from the deep impression, there was no way I could avoid beingbuilding where the reception took place to the beachenraptured by it all. Theseside. From the bridesmaids to the style of the wedding, are all such treasured
I was seeing it all for the first time in my life; it was like memories for me.
a scene from a movie. Thank you for inviting me toI love Australia!
your wedding Tim!
From the next day onwards, since I was already in Australia, I decided to make the most of my time and wentsightseeing.
I joined a winery tour, and happened upon a website
for “Jack’s Japanese Tours”, and so I asked to be taken
to the Blue Mountains, King’s Table, and the zoo. As it
turned out, this Australian running the tour previously
worked as an ALT in Miyazaki Prefecture! I suddenly
went from being in a foreign nation to home, and both

Information & Notices◇ Notice Regarding Trivia Night 2022
The World Beer & Trivia Night planned for Saturday
September 10th has, due to the increased spread ofCOVID, unfortunately been cancelled. We apologise toall of our members who were looking forward to theevent, and ask for your understanding and cooperation.

◇ The MIF Foreigner Emergency Support Seminar inMiyakonojo City is Looking for Volunteers!
On September 10th, MIF (the Miyazaki InternationalFoundation) is holding a Foreigner Emergency SupportSeminar (for details on the seminar itself, please see
this month’s MIA News Japanese notices). Towards theend of the seminar, MIF would like to have foreign residents of Miyazaki Prefecture inspect and give feedback◇ Mallmall Library International Corneron the easy Japanese used by participants.
On the first floor of Miyakonojo’s Mallmall Library, aspace has been dedicated to our friendship cities, Mon- If you are free on the day and believe that you would be
able to help, please contact MIF directly:
golia’s Ulaanbaatar and China’s Jiangjin district inMiyazaki City Carino Plaza B1F
Chongqing, the content of which is regularly updated. If Location:
Phone:
0985-32-8457
you’re headed to the library, please check it out!
FAX:
0985-32-8512
Inquiries:
Internationalisation Promotion OfficeE-mail:miyainfo@mif.or.jp
Phone:
0986-23-2295
E-mail:intl@city.miyakonojo.miyazaki.jp

Movies infoC-Plaza Cine-port (Tel: 0986-24-2571)

17-9 Nakamachi, Miyakonojo, Miyazaki Map-Code (GPS): 117 488 540*55●Elvis (Japanese Sub)
●Fullmetal Alchemist: The Final Chapter – Scar the Avenger(Japanese)●Shin Ultraman (Japanese)●Dragonball Super: Super Hero (Japanese)●Top Gun: Maverick (Japanese Sub)●Kingdom 2: Harukanaru Daichi e (Japanese)●Minions Fever (Japanese Dub)
●Buzz Lightyear (Japanese Dub)
*The 1st of every month is ¥1,100 for everyone.
*Every Wednesday is ‘Ladies’ Day’, all ladies ¥1,100.
*The cinema is closed every Tuesday.
*For session times visit: http://movie.walkerplus.com/th286/
schedule.html (Japanese)