Recently I was asked to write something up on my experience with the Keio University Judo Team. Below is what I wrote:

One day after class, I spoke with a Japanese classmate about wanting to learn Judo. I wanted to learn one of Japans traditional and most useful martial arts, to stay in good physical shape, and to better my understanding of the Japanese language and culture. About a week or so after talking to that classmate, she introduced me to a member of the Keio Judo Team who encouraged me to come and practice with them. I did.

The members of the Keio Judo Team, in the roughly one year that I have trained with them, took me from not knowing a thing about Judo to receiving my black belt. The members were incredibly kind to allow me to join them and to give up some of their training time in order to show me the ropes. They have certainly increased my level of physical fitness as my fat percentage has significantly dropped and my muscles have become much more defined. I have, as well, learned a significant amount about Japanese culture and language from them.

In the dojo, training is intense. The team trains, at a minimum, three hours per day six days per week. This training includes at least one hour of weight/cardio training and two hours of Judo. While my schedule does not allow me to train everyday with them, I typically train four days a week with them. They are very kind in giving me this flexibility as everyone else in the club trains all six days.

I have also been given the opportunity to travel with the team to Kobe, Kyoto, and all over Shikoku to practice judo and to explore a bit of Japan. The experience was simply amazing and the kindness of both the team members and the alumni is incredible. During this trip, I was treated to so many fantastic treats from local foods and one of the most incredible meals I have ever eaten, to participating in a local dance, exploring castles, and experiencing heaven on earth (onsen). I got to experience a much more traditional side of Japan as we stayed in a Japanese style inn in Matsuyama, Ehime prefecture. We walked around town wearing yukata as we enjoyed the traditional architecture and went to the onsen featured in Ghibli’s Spirited Away.

The Keio Judo Team has given me such an incredible experience that any effort to express my gratitude is simply insufficient. Thank you so very much.

ある日クラスの後、日本人のクラスメートに柔道を習いたいと話しました。日本の伝統的で活用的な武道を習い、そして健康と日本の文化と言語を向上したかったんです。一週間後、そのクラスメートは慶應柔道部員を紹介してくれました。柔道部員は私に柔道の練習をするのを喜んで参加させてくれました。そして私は練習に加わりました。

慶應柔道部員は一年以内に柔道について何も知らなかった私を黒帯まで指導しました。部員はすごく親切で、私に訓練するために彼らのトレーニング時間を放棄しました。部員は私を丈夫にさせて、私は体脂肪がさがって、筋肉が上がりました。しかも日本の文化と言語にかんして、たくさん習いました。

道場の中のトレーニングはすごく激しいです。柔道部は少なくとも一週間のうち六日間、一日三時間練習します。練習では少なくとも一時間はウエートと心臓のトレーニングで、二時間は柔道練習です。私のスケジュールでは一週間に四日しか練習できませんが、部員は皆、六日トレーニングしています。私にその柔軟性を許しているから本当に親切です。

私は柔道部と柔道と観光をするために神戸と京都と四国の旅行をさせてもらいました。経験はすばらしくて、部員とＯＢの親切もすばらしかった。旅行の間においしい土地の食べ物を食べて、土地の踊りに参加して、城を探検して、極楽　（温泉）を経験しました。愛媛県松山市で日本の伝統的なことを経験しました。そこで、浴衣を着て、日本の伝統的な建物を見て、宮崎駿の「千と千尋の神隠し」のモデルとなった温泉に行きました。

慶應柔道部は僕にすごい経験をくれたから、ありがとうと言うのは不十分だけど、本当にありがとうございます。