Japan-Wrap Up

Before I landed in Japan, I wrote that I didn’t want to step off the plane with any expectation.  In retrospect, I realize I had a few.  I expected that the terms agreed upon prior to my landing would be honoured or at the very least, acknowledged and I expected to train.  A byproduct of the above was that I would learn – about Japanese training methods, about the culture within the gyms and about Japanese muay thai on a national level.  My intent was to share my experiences with you because I felt it would be beneficial.  My writing would possibly create a dialogue, inclusive of those who have much more experience in Japan – hence the creation of a traditional blog, segmenting my experience in Japan week by week.  That very act in itself was loaded with expectation, the most base being that I would experience enough about Japanese muay thai to write about.

I’ve decided to exclude the full details of the situation as I don’t feel discussing them to be useful.  I have no ill will towards the gym or the people who brought me to Japan.  I’m considering it another situation to learn from.  Nonetheless, as I had started writing a traditional week by week blog about my experiences there, I feel the need to conclude.

My time in Japan brought up a lot of questions – I didn’t understand what was going on regarding my treatment and I didn’t feel it to be personal.  If I had to summarize, it wasn’t so much as I was being excluded from anything; it was more as though no one even thought to include me – in training, in social events, etc.  If anything, I was politely ignored.  And this provoked a lot of introspection on my part.

I looked for some sort of context; I compared my treatment to the treatment of the Italian nak muays and I paid attention to media and my surroundings trying to understand the place of women in Japanese society.  The following questions arose:  Is it sexism?  Is it racism?   Is it sexism compounded by racism, racism compounded by sexism…or was my treatment just the extension of someone who is only interested in what benefits them directly?  Is it all of it?  None of it?

I began to ask other gym owners about women training – there didn’t seem to be many.  And then I got an interesting answer from a Thai owner.  We had finished the interview, the camera was off and we continued talking.  I asked about women at his gym – he said, “They always cause problems”.  What?  What followed was, what I felt, an honest explanation of his opinion.  He explained that previously he hadn’t allowed women to train.  Once he did, he realized they were coming to the gym to meet the boxers, not to train.  And this created problems.  They would take photos, try to talk to the guys and not train.  He said trying to train them was difficult, it wasn’t like Thailand.  Eventually, he decided to separate the training hours, meaning women had to be out of the gym by a certain hour.  I understand what prompted this decision, but I found this really weird.  Not what he’s done but why, although I can’t say I’d want to train at his gym and have to be out within a short window of time due to the actions of others…then I remembered a Japanese female who I believe flew in on three separate occasions in one year to stay at one of the gyms I was at, not to train, but to watch and photograph one of the nak muay for her own personal collection…

So where does this leave me?  Really confused.

I know a number of you MMT members have trained and are still training in Japan….does any of this make sense?  Are any of you women?  What’s going on over there?

Either way, one week back to training in Thailand and I’m paying for the absence.  My conditioning is down.  Really down.  I’ve already declined two possible fights.  Despite having barely trained in Japan, when I did train, training was a lot softer, meaning emphasis was on speed at the expense of power to accommodate the Japanese scoring system and I trained for three three minute rounds.  Returning to full five minute rounds (I can’t do five yet) where I’m expected to give my blood in the ring…..it’s humbling, but it’s good to be back.  Really good.

I’m definitely going to think twice and research online before I accept any offer to train outside of Thailand again.

In regards to what I was exposed to in Japan, in the following weeks be prepared for interviews, gym breakdowns and whatever else I feel is relevant.  I hope they will assist those of you who are looking for training in the Tokyo area.

More about Laura

I’m a Canadian who decided to quit my job, sell most of what I own, pack a suitcase, and skip continents to pursue a martial art I’m not particularly efficient in. A minimalist. A modern nomad. A kid who just likes having a good time.

My attraction to muay thai is that it’s an art with no wasted motion. It has been the greatest vehicle for my continual education. It’s incredibly challenging to me – both the physical and the mental game. The latter probably more so than the former.

Currently I’m in Bangkok training muay thai fulltime. The plan is to be here for a few years, but realistically, I have no idea where this path is leading, or what the timeline is. I like change and pushing my comfort zone. A lot. Nevertheless, muay thai will be the constant among the variables.

Be prepared for updates, rambling, video content and anything I’ve learned that I think may of use to you.

This hasn’t been easy, but so far, its been a pretty sick ride.

Japan – Week 5

As last week drew to an end and this week began, I found I had little interest in training. Read more

The Problem of Not Sleeping With Your Trainer

I suspect a number of you are aware of the complications having sex at a muay thai gym in Thailand can cause. Read more

Japan Week 4

The basics of the gym are as follows:  from approximately 6 – 8pm most days, children arrive and train muay thai, sometimes karate.  Read more

Creating Change – Kru James Hines, Old School Muay Thai, Toronto, Canada

Before I left Toronto in early 2009, I trained under Kru James Hines for a number of months.  Having heard of James and Old School Muay Thai for awhile, Read more

Yod Muay Champions Cup 2010 – Second Qualifying Fight

The Yod Muay Champions Cup 2010 – Second Qualifying Fight event was held at Differ in Chiba, Japan on April 25. Read more

Next Page »