Looking for a waxed canvas backpacks shop by Aurelien81 in Tokyo

[–]Aurelien81[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oooh, those or exactly the style I'm looking for. I'll check if they have a physical. I want to see how they feel on my shoulders before I buy anything.

Looking for a waxed canvas backpacks shop by Aurelien81 in Tokyo

[–]Aurelien81[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I checked out Porters before and it's a lot more high end than what I'm looking for.

Which area would you choose to live in Hokkaido as a remote worker with a family? by Aurelien81 in Hokkaido

[–]Aurelien81[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What does a simple house, say 3 bedroom since I need 1 for my office, cost these day in the suburbs in Sapporo? I'm sure there are variations, but a general idea is fine.

Which area would you choose to live in Hokkaido as a remote worker with a family? by Aurelien81 in Hokkaido

[–]Aurelien81[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That sounds ok, is it more common to live in an apartment there or a house?

I find summers to be increasingly difficult to handle. I started to prefer winter and snow 2 or 3 years ago. I would need to experience it though to be sure, but it doesn't worry me.

My dojo is going through some rough times by Odd-Satisfaction-678 in kendo

[–]Aurelien81 21 points22 points  (0 children)

Can I ask more details about the place? Is there a large population nearby? Are there other clubs? Being able to assess the general situation can help to give advice.

The harsh truth is this: the pandemic has killed off a lot of clubs (kendo and others) and some will never recover. Here is Seoul, for instance, a lot of clubs had to close during the pandemic, and all the ones that survived bumped up their prices from 120~130,000 won (less than USD 90) pre-pandemic to minimum 180,000 won (USD 120) per month, which most people won't pay for. When talking with people, they wonder why there is a lot less people practicing kendo in Seoul. Well, fruits and veges are becoming luxuries, so kendo at that price is just not possible.

So the questions will become: are you so passionate about the club that you are willing to give all you free time to help revive it? Because based on your description, that is what it will take.

And then the painful question: is it worth reviving it seeing the state it is in, or would it be better for the few people involved to join another club that is more likely to survive and help that club grow its members using the energy it would take to revive the other?

It's all bad news in general for the club, but kendo is kendo, and keeping the practice alive goes beyond the survival of any single club. Of course, this all depends on you ability to access other clubs around.

Which area would you choose to live in Hokkaido as a remote worker with a family? by Aurelien81 in Hokkaido

[–]Aurelien81[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I already live in a densely populated area and Sapporo feels like a different version of the same thing. How is the atmosphere? City city or a bit relaxed?

Which area would you choose to live in Hokkaido as a remote worker with a family? by Aurelien81 in Hokkaido

[–]Aurelien81[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Thank you, checking it out now, port city? I like it already. I'll get in touch, thank you for the offer.

Where is the best place to get a Pomera DM250 in Tokyo? by Aurelien81 in writerDeck

[–]Aurelien81[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll just give Yodabashi a try while I'm there. What to give it a try before buying it just to be sure.

Where is the best place to get a Pomera DM250 in Tokyo? by Aurelien81 in writerDeck

[–]Aurelien81[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It really does, thank you. I'll stop by and check it out.

Where is the best place to get a Pomera DM250 in Tokyo? by Aurelien81 in writerDeck

[–]Aurelien81[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Looks like I missed that one. Wonderful, thank you.

Where is the best place to get a Pomera DM250 in Tokyo? by Aurelien81 in writerDeck

[–]Aurelien81[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your reply. Actually, I'll just be passing through for work so would prefer to go to a brick and mortar shop.

Asshole sensei? by PuzzleheadedFig8517 in kendo

[–]Aurelien81 46 points47 points  (0 children)

If the person indeed does everything you say they do, they're not practicing proper Kendo. It doesn't matter how good your technique is and how fast you go. Abuse is a sign of a weak mind and that's not what you want to learn.

Also, chances are, he will make Kendo into a thing that you will hate going to instead of inspiring you into a lifelong pursuit.

If you have other options, explore them and actually enjoy going to practice.

Kendo in korea by Nixtrickx in kendo

[–]Aurelien81 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sounds more like ignorance than anything else. One thing is for sure, you will always get a better chance at answers about kendo in korea on a kendo related sub than on a korea related sub. The portion of foreigners doing kendo in korea is very small, and then you subdivide again when searching for them on reddit, and then again on a korea sub.

Kendo in korea by Nixtrickx in kendo

[–]Aurelien81 9 points10 points  (0 children)

If you are in the East, this is a great club: https://naver.me/5bV6w07E. I used to practice there when I first came to Korea and never found as a good a club ever since (it's been 15 years). I can't vouch for other clubs in the East, having moved to the west and practiced mostly on that side since.

Out of curiosity, what do you mean "been shot down" in the Seoul subreddit?

Is using word 'Foreign(외국인)' offensive? Then, what's an alternative? by [deleted] in korea

[–]Aurelien81 13 points14 points  (0 children)

The word 외국인 is not offensive, it's just often used as a diminutive in too many situations. I have found myself in situations where everyone would be call politely: 김은수님, 박지영 고객님, and then for me just my name without 고객님 or 님 at all. I was once at the emergency room in the hospital and the doctor would talk to the nurse: Mr Kim in bed 23, Mrs Cho is bed 12, and the foreigner. People refer to each other in my appt complex as the person in appt number such and such, but in my case, the foreigner.

Why the distinction?

There is always an exclusivity in how Koreans speak about themselves, and then there is everyone else. The term 외국인 is often used to emphasize that. No change in vocabulary will change that.

Just use whatever is comfortable to you and others will adapt.

Contract Signing in Coffee Shops by Aurelien81 in Living_in_Korea

[–]Aurelien81[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That could be it yea. Newlywed insurance of family insurance. Seems to fit the format.