The Kyoto Yamabushi [Judo Warriors]

Sensei Rick says Tim, Lee and Jodan during their brief stay in Kyoto [2 months] have learnt the follow:

• To be good at judo, there is no learning without pain
• The judo style in NZ is totally different then in Japan.
• Training must be 6 days per week on a regular basis
• Food is cheap, but drinking can be expensive.
• Kyoto is a very easy friendly city to live in.
• Vending machines spew out food tickets that can be exchanged for food.
• Free bikes are everywhere.
• Skype means that they can keep in close contact with mummy and daddy.
• Food parcels from N.Z. are always welcome.
• In the rainy season it rains everyday.
• Its harder to get a Japanese girl then they thought.
• They look different to Japanese.
• If they cant beat some tired old riot police then what’s their future in N.Z.?   

Maybe its time to learn a old zen proverb; ishi no ue ni mo san nen. Study and practice something for 3 years in Japan and you will become good. Yamabushi began as isolated clusters (or individuals) of judoka [hermits, ascetics, and "holy men] from New Zealand who followed the path of of other successful judoka in  a search for spiritual, mystical, or supernatural powers gained through asceticism.