As a guest in Japan with limited ammount of time to travel, you really do try to soak in as much of the culture as you can before you get the boot home. After my excellent ride sunday in Nagano, I was looking forward to a day of rest, time to get over my cold and rest my rattled joints. I was indeed allowed this rest, but not at home. Instead I was treated to a Japanese cultural tradition, one I was not expecting, and something I probably would not have sought after on my own.
Sensei Sharp had arrived in town the night before after what I gather was a grueling few days at the masters clinic in Tokyo. I ran into them (he and Sakurai Sensei) at the train station as I was foraging for food. We parted ways after a few pleasantries, but Sensei suggested we hang out the next day. I said I was looking forward to it.
The next morning I got a call from Don Sensei. He and Sakurai Sensei were off to the Onsen.
"Whats that?" I asked
"It's a traditional Japanese hot spring." he replied.
"Oh cool, I'd love to go. I'll grab my bathing suit." I said, thinking that a hot spring might help me get over my cold.
A few minutes later, the Sensei's arrived to pick me up. Sensei Sakurai asked to use my bathroom and was soon displeased with the science experiment I was contucting in my toilet. After the Onsen we would be off to the drub store to get some house cleaning products. Why does sort of thing always happen when other Sensei's are around? I laughed and giggled to hide my embarrassment, but will never let my toilet slide into decay again, mark my words.
Anyways, back to the Onsen trip.
The drive to Kanewa was quite pretty. The terrain along the Oigawa river is quite amazing. Is was during the drive that I learned a startling fact. Sensei Sakurai asked me if I brought the correct towels. I did, a big one and a small one, although I didn't know what I needed the small one for.
"It's cover up your bit whiel you move around." Sensei informed me.
"Don't I just wear a bathing suit?" I asked.
"No, we don't wear bathing suits at the Onsen" he said.
"Oh." I replied while trying to come to terms with this startling piece of Japanese reality. As with everything I try to imperpret life with humour. "If you guys drove me all this way to see me naked I think you're gunna be dissapointed."
Sensei Sharp laughed. I did my best to relax and enjoy the experience. Not much else you can do when the guy driving is a 7th Dan black belt, and his protoge the 5th dan is in the passenger seat.
The Onsen was located quite nicely along the Oigawa river. I would love to be able to show you pictures of the scenery, but maybe this time its ok I forgot my camera. Kanewa also keeps a beautiful old relic, a train from the golden age of Japans modern history. Every day the train makes 1 trip each way across the river. The bridge runs at a 45 degree angle to the mens bath. When the train moves across the bridge it blows its whistle and all the men moved to watch the train roll blowing is dark grey coal smoke up in the air. The view was nice, one thing I think I'll never forget, but maybe not as interesting as the view the train riders had of us.
The Onsen in Kanewa is one of the most famous in the region. The spring was actually discover by a Canadian Geological company about 10 years ago.
Sensei and I relaxed and chatted. I told him about my experiences in Japan and asked him about his new son, Logan. The day was a surreal experience, well in the Category of things I did not expect to be doing when I woke up that morning.
Since I came to Japan, it has always been important to me to be a good ambassador from Canada. Sensei Sharp and I represented Canada quite well at the bath. When he returns in April I wouldnt mind going again. Maybe I'll take my camera.
Its been a few days since the Onsen as I write the story. Sensei Sakurai's training has been particularly difficult , I think he's grumpy having caught my cold.
Today is October 14th. 3 full months in Japan for me, the quater poll of my trip. Time flies, does it not? I'm celebrating, you guys hoist one for me, I'll hoist a few for you.
**Edit**
Don gave me a few minutes of his time on monday to answer a few questions. Here is what I gleaned from his story.
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