[FIGHT] In Search of Zhoo-Zhitsoo

Takada Dojo was fun. I had a good time, albeit a painful one. But from I saw, I got the feeling that something was slightly remiss in the training. For example, experienced students rolling on the mat would have trouble locking in a triangle choke and could not understand why, yet would receive little detailed guidance from Yamamoto or Matsui. Moreover, participation in the mixed martial arts class requires some foundation in one or more of boxing, muay thai, amateur wrestling, or submission wrestling, but most of the time slots for the basic classes are beyond the reach of my work schedule. I also reasoned that, given my lack of experience, I should seek to establish some comfort with one aspect of fighting.

So I decided to check out some jiu-jitsu gyms. The first stop was Axis Jiu-Jitsu in Meidaimae, mainly because I had heard good things about this gym and its friendly training environment. It was not the easiest place to find, but the missus and I managed to arrive just a few minutes before the start of a Sunday afternoon session. A gi-clad dude at the front desk welcomed us warmly, confirmed that we were there to watch, and offered us a couple of chairs. The class was composed of a several white and blue belts and two purples. Light stretching was followed by a technique demonstration by the front desk dude. To me, it looked like an escape from a wristhold followed by a transition to a German suplex position. The mats were definitely crowded. After a few minutes, front desk dude took the lead again and demonstrated a takedown from the prior suplex position, including the optimal center of gravity and proper grasp of the opponent's gi.

The techniques seemed to be taught well and in ample detail. The purple and blue belts offered courteous guidance to the beginners, and no Sunday or stinky barbarians reared their ugly heads. The mats looked clean and kempt, though I didn't get a chance to check the showers. But there were no heavy bags or mitts or any equipment related to striking practice. Not that any of this concerned the missus, who was playing with a fellow female spectator's blonde long-haired dachshund.

Unfortunately, we weren't able to stay very long before getting home to our other, normal fitness club. We had a few words with the successor to the front desk dude, who happened to be the prior incarnation's twin brother, sans gi. No free trial. Gi on sale from about 13,000 yen, but no particular gym rules about make and model -- Naga, Mizuno, Atama were all on display in white and blue versions on the mats. That sort of thing. My feeling about the place is very positive, but Meidaimae really is kind of far.



Tuesday marks Labor Thanksgiving day in Japan. Who says people here work too hard? The plan for the day began, at Mrs. Ramen's urging, with a free introduction to Pilates. Open-minded as always, I got up for this, even though I was a little dehydrated from beers, football, and an aesthetician the prior evening.

I am not one for the Cobra-Snares-the-Aardvark mumbo jumbo of yoga-like exercises, but the instructor made it all worth it. She was certifiably hot. Somewhat Iijima Naoko under brunette hair with a few more cigarettes in her voice. After the free class, she walked over to me -- for real -- and complimented me on my flexibility (I get that a lot), told me I appear active in sports, and asked me if I do martial arts. This is a sign, I'm telling you. Of course, this is the part where the missus swings by and inserts herself into the conversation. She also spoke with the instructor at length in the women's locker room afterward; Mrs. Ramen found out that the Cobra is 40 -- unbelievable -- and married with two kids, the oldest being 20. In return, the missus took the liberty of informing our instructor that I have a short temper. Awesome blossom.

Once we showered and got redone, we set out on the second part of our plan for the day, which was to check out a couple of zhoo-zhitsoo parlors. The first was Hayakawa Mitsuyoshi's Tri-Force in Sugamo, but it was closed. We had an unfathomably horrible maguro lunch along the way in the Old Ladies' Harajuku (オバタリアンの原宿). Moreover, since we were in the neighborhood, we stopped by to offer prayer at Oiwa-san's final resting place. The second gym on the itinerary was Academia AZ, further south on the Mita line, but that was closed for the day as well. I'll have to try again sometime.

So here I am in Suidobashi, the spiritual center of fightsport in Tokyo, checking out gear shops for jiu-jitsu gi prices and trying on open-finger gloves. However, the craziest smack around here is the pro wrestling geek store. There are tons of them, selling everything from old magazines and T-shirts to figurines and replica Ultimo Dragon masks. Probably the most maniacal is Battle Royal, located on the second floor at Misaki-cho 2-20-5 (東京都千代田区三崎町2丁目20-5). There is a pro wrestling mania shop across the street, with an unmistakable Tiger Mask on the signage. Lastly, nearby in Misaki-cho 2-13-7 (東京都千代田区三崎町2丁目13-7) is Ambition, which is not as well stocked, but hey, at least they've got the Saku Mask parka and can fix up any Takayama Yoshihiro fan.

Next month: My neighbor constantly collapses under the enormity of little things.