Russian Uchi Deshi in Japan

Originally posted on the Kyokushin Portal and republished here in English with permission.

“Uchi deshi does what others can not or are afraid.” Victor Kurylenko and Ivan Kungurov share their impressions (Rengokai)

In the very first Kyokushin uchi deshi was Bobby Lowe (Bobby Lowe). These uchi deshi became known as Wakajishi, or the “Young Lions” of Mas Oyama.

Thank you for taking the time to share with our readers about your stay in Japan. How did you got into this program?

Ivan: Extr itself was not. I received an offer from Kramysheva of Alexander (President SCCR), asking if I would like to go to Japan, if there was such an opportunity? After some hesitation I agreed.
When Victor found out about this, he asked me to find out whether they were selecting others candidates for the trip. When I made the request, it immediately became clear who else was to go. After all, few people could can decide to take this step, drop everything and go to study the art of Kyokushin day and night, especially because no one had any idea what would await us there.
Initially, there were three candidates for the trip. But in the end we left with two. This program needed people who with the character that can go all the way and endure all the upcoming tests.
Victor: We have extensive experience in the study of Kyokushin. For example, I have been doing it since 1999, enough competitive experience and little experience as instructors, and of devotion to this type of karate! Generally, they needed crazy patriots in their field, who would be able to leave the house a year and devote themselves to training.
Our candidates were sent for consideration to Japan. All this time we showed themselves at the training camp and tournament, attended by Shihan Koi (to whom we are actually going). We fully understand that just because someone is not clear and, they would not be taken as uchi deshi.

Such offers come once in a lifetime and it is not for all, and I am a man looking for adventure and not wanting to live an ordinary life, so I immediately agreed. I was not even thinking about the difficulties that awaited me there. I wanted to test and temper my character and spirit, and how to let go of Vanka one in another country.
But there was a lot of nuances, we have received information pieces, not all at once. Yes, it turned out later that we were going to different cities, and live in different dojo.
In general, the expectation of the trip and the news is scary for us, and just the feeling of fear and uncertainty.
To learn martial arts in it’s home land is expensive, but I felt so lucky for the ticket, like I won a lottery. Wow!
Waiting for the trip, understanding of Budo, immersion in traditions, new friends, memories not only as karate, but also as a person.
Yes, and the information from the original source still expensive.

Ivan: The trip is designed for 1 year, with no specific date of departure. The first visa was granted to us for 3 months, then got a new still for 1 year.

Victor: In the study I took a sabbatical.
Parents will always worry and worry about their children, but they realize that I need it. We told them and describe everything that is waiting for us, and what this trip will give us. They understood, and let us go without any problems. Actually my parents are one team. Well when parents support their children in what they are doing and why dedicate their lives.

In mid-March, you were in Japan, how was it met?
Victor: We first flew from Barnaul to Moscow, then in hot Qatar, and from there to Tokyo. The flight to Tokyo was very long, we ate and slept sitting up, but even in this situation, I managed to lose an expensive ring for me. Probably while sleeping, even though it wasn’t hanging off my finger, in general. It’s a mystery. I got very upset, it symbolizes the presence of one specific person next to me and meant a lot to me. But then I did a surprise cam in the form of a letter about the lost ring, then the parcel arrived to Shihan Koi, and he in turn gave it to me. Now I am calm.
Then we went to Okinawa, where we waited Futoshi san (apprentice of Shihan Yasuhiro Sichinohe, first dan, he was like 47 years). He invited us to visit in his hotel when we fly there. Then we went to eat, eat a lot, then it seemed like a lot and not familiar. Then we stopped at the dojo where guests Shihan Koi and conducted a seminar there. After a short meeting we went to the hotel to Futoshi. Spent one week there, took part in the tournament, and then moved closer to the Dojo Shihan Sichinohe where actually practiced. Then a flight was coming to Toyama, where we were met by the very Sheehan Yoshikadzu Koi. After a short lunch we went straight to the gym. As the saying goes “from the ship to the ball.”

What was your impression of the new country that immediately caught your eye and memories?
Ivan: Okinawa was impressive to us with their hospitality, compassion, kindness and generosity of the people. For example, we had such a indue that we wanted to drive to the beach, but did not know how to get there. And we decided to ask for directions from a passerby. But we do not really understand each other and explain how they could. After some time, we gathered around a number of people and together they realized where we needed to go and what we wanted. After that, the man stopped a taxi, put us in the car and told the driver where to take us, and the taxi driver paid for the road.
And we met an American who has been living a very long time in Okinawa, he was many years older and he looks like Santa. When he learned that this was our first time in Okinawa he immediately asked us what we wanted to do, and the answer was “We want a steak.” With the words “You are here for the first time, it should remember you forever, this Okinawa guy took us to a restaurant, and we ate the best steak.
But Okinawa and Japan are very different, and it was noticeable after our arrival in Tokyo. Smiling and waving as the aircraft departs with the Okinawans and was changed to more business and less smiling Japanese. People are a little bit different, but very good, friendly, always ready to help, always smile back. Here is a different movement, thinking, attitude to people, to cause, to work. Everywhere you are treated as a king. In the cafe, for example, the waiter came up for the order can get on his knees to lower to you level.

How are you doing with communication and understanding of the people around you?
Victor: The two of us just Vanya more or less knows English. Mainly deal by bad English, gestures, facial expressions. In the dojo a little easier, because both in Russia and in other countries the training and trainer gives commands in Japanese. But, despite all these language barriers, we are with others on the same wavelength, and somehow understand each other. If we do not understand or something very precisely to explain, then, we appeal for help to the interpreter whose name is Natalia. All the while we were bothering her a few times.
Ivan: I would like to take a  Japanese language course, but there is no time for courses. So we study the language at home and some words are stored with time for yourselfAnd where do you live? 
Victor: Conditions are all small. We live on the first floor of a two story building. 6 meters by 3. At the entrance to the left a small closet, a separate bathroom and toilet, kitchen cabinet and left to sink, refrigerator. Next room, where the input side built-in wardrobe, window to the front of the wall, it can be used as a door to the balcony.

The room two mattress on the floor, a table from a box with the fan. Eat lying down or sitting on the floor, all modestly, but we like it. Mealtimes look different.

Do you plan to do some seminar and share with all his friends the knowledge that you gain here?
Victor: So far no plan, but I think it certainly is waiting for us to return. All this knowledge must necessarily conveyed to others and shared them. There is a desire to have a group and start coaching

Ivan, what does it mean to you to be an uchi deshi?

For me, this is the man who does what others can not or are afraid, or maybe just do not want to do. How VDVshnik feels on August 2, so you feel every day. And it’s a huge responsibility.

Very many of your fellow Federation want to be in your place. Maybe next year someone will come here and they will pass through all the things that you are going through. What tips and suggestions you can give them?
Ivan: Yes, yes, want very many, I know. But here’s the paradox, we also want to take their place, home to loved ones and friends. Do not settle (joke). But if we get here, just look back on more often, and less looking forward so feels that the time is coming, do not be afraid, everything that does not kill you makes you stronger. Endure the first 3-4 months and you will like it here.
We are here in one breath all week days pass quickly. Looking forward to the weekend, and on weekends to die from what you want to practice, since nothing else we want. Workouts burn time, makes you stronger and closer to home.

Victor: I fall asleep every time his thoughts about his parents and his beloved. Almost always it is only in the mind, so difficult. All sensations, which they were not good or bad, they’re cool, it’s worth to go through each. New sensations and acquisition of valuable concepts are not visible there, close to all.

Thanks for the support everyone. Anyone who writes and reads us who holds his fists and mother and misses. Thank you for your support. Everyone wants to be called, but it’s not real, you have too much. We are all one family, and we are happy that we have you.
We would like to ask that no one is jealous of anything and did not want evil, everyone has his own way, be happy. We still find its way, which in the future can become yours.

Alexander, Frish – Osu!

In group VKontakte you can see more pictures and short video clips.

Author and Source: Roman Odessky  http://www.kyokushinkarate.com.ua/interview/2945-japan.html