This year this event was held on Monday April 29th. It was a beautiful day with few clouds in the sky.
The event began at around 10pm when people from all over Japan began to arrive at the shin dojo in Iwama. This year there were representatives from Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo. As well as branch dojos from around the Ibaraki area. As well as friends of the dojo from other martial arts disciplines.
Last year there were not many uchi deshi. This year however there were over 30 from America, The UK, France, Venezuela and Russia.
By twelve O’clock we were ready to begin the shinto ceremony that is held on the 3rd floor of the Shin Dojo. The ceremony was performed as always by Takahashi San and concluded with offerings of Sagaki being placed on the kama-dana by several guests.
After the ceremony was concluded the party began. First were a couple of speeches one by the Major of kasama and another given by the Iwama area’s assemblyman.
After the speeches were over the party began. As usual a good time was enjoyed by all although for the uchideshi sitting cross-legged on the floor for hours can prove to be an ordeal.
The party finished at around 5:30 and with so many uchi deshi it was not long before the shin dojo was clean and tidy.