Movies

Welcome to the Fujieda Story! This is the tale of a thirty something from Canada who got the chance to try a completely new way of life for one year. He left behind his nice government job, his one bedroom apartment in Marpole, his family and friends. He moved to Japan to train Karate with one of the most respected names in the Karate community. To earn a living, he will teach English. And he will take on other challenges, like learning a new language and a totally new lifestyle.

You might think that this is the tale of a man who has had a life long love of karate. You might think that he has a black belt already and this blog will be the story of many tournaments and glory. But you would be wrong. This fellow has only been taking karate for 2 years. He has worked hard over that time but only managed to attain a green belt(6th kyu).

Here is a picture of his class. See if you can pick him out

My name is Ted and everything you have read about me is true. And while this blog will never be made into a karate movie, there are many different kinds of movies. I read once that all movies can be rolled back into one of eight basic plot lines, that all modern movies are really just these 8 stories being retold. Achilles, Candide, Cinderella, Circe, Faust, Orpheus, Tristan and Romeo and Juliet. It was once observed though that in fact all movies are in some way the retelling of one story. David and Goliath. Looking at me in that picture you might be confused as to which role I think I am playing, but try moving to Japan to train karate in the very heart of its origin and you may see my point.

This blog will be the story of people, places, Japanese scenery and culture, small accomplishments and blisters and bruises.

The man in this picture is the architect of my adventure. His name is Yasuo Sakurai, but I get to call him Sensei. Every year he goes through enormous trouble to bring over one Karate ka from Canada to train in Japan. There is no money in it for him. No profit whatsoever. In the six weeks I have been here I have often wondered why he does it. All questions I could have asked before I left Canada, but I thought I would better understand his motives when I got to Japan. They are still unknown to me. Sensei Sakurai has a day job just like I did. His family is second and then every spare moment he has after that he pours into teach Karate. He takes nothing back for himself.

So once again welcome to my web log. I hope you enjoy reading it and stopping in once in a while. I should be posting here 3-5 times a month with updates, people profiles, stories and pictures of Japan.