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Day 7: A Day of Kendo, Castles, and Temples in Kyoto

Posted on by Gui Valente
16
Oct

The day started with breakfast at the beautiful Park Hyatt Hotel in Kyoto. After their meal, Pedro Valente and Ted Schwartz made their way back to the Butokuden to observe Kendo training. There were two classes in progress—one private session and a group class for senior trainees. Despite their ages, with all the practitioners being over 80 years old, their energy, great footwork, and impressive movement were remarkable. It wasn’t until they removed their helmets that Pedro and Ted realized they were not middle-aged practitioners. The teacher informed Pedro and Ted of their remarkable health and energy, especially considering they were all beginners, having trained for less than two years.

Pedro Valente and Ted Schwartz introduced themselves to the teacher, who was intrigued by Valente Brothers in Miami. After showing him some photos, they were graciously invited to participate in the class. Without the proper training uniform, they happily accepted the offer and engaged in a Kendo session. Practicing with wooden swords, they struck towards the head, wrist, and torso, moving in different angles.

It was an incredible experience for both of them. Before leaving, they had a friendly conversation with the students, during which the Pedro shared the story of their work in Miami, teaching Japanese culture, philosophy, and martial arts.

After the training, Pedro Valente and Ted Schwartz went sightseeing in Kyoto. Their first stop was the historic Nijō Castle, built in 1603. The castle holds great significance as the place where Tokugawa Ieyasu was appointed as the political leader of Japan, and later, where the last Shogun relinquished power to the Meiji Emperor in 1867. Walking through the 33 rooms of the castle, they observed the stunning architecture and artwork, including what Pedro described as “breathtaking paintings on the walls and ceilings.”

Next, they visited a Zen Buddhist temple, Nanzen-ji, and its sub-temple Konchi-in, built over 500 years ago. Inside the temple, they saw some of the first muskets brought to Japan from Portugal in the 16th century, which were on display. They also explored the temple’s five beautiful meditation gardens, feeling the serene atmosphere. The muskets are part of a historical exhibit, reflecting the exchange between Japan and the Portuguese during the 16th century, when firearms were first introduced to Japan.

After a day filled with history and culture, Pedro Valente and Ted Schwartz returned to the hotel. They had another great meal at the hotel’s teppanyaki restaurant.

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Valente Brothers’ Japan Journey – Day 4: Seminar at Axis and Exploring Jujutsu History

Posted on by Gui Valente

The day began at the Aman Hotel, where Pedro and Ted enjoyed a breakfast with a taste from home—banana smoothies with apple juice and fresh cream cheese.

Afterward, they met with Mr. Yasu, a prominent writer and researcher, to discuss the history of jujutsu. Yasu shared valuable insights into how jujutsu was practiced historically, and the conversation continued at a nearby restaurant known for its unagi, or Japanese eel.

Following lunch, Pedro and Ted visited the Meiji Shrine, a peaceful park in the heart of Tokyo that reminded them of Central Park in New York. While exploring the park, Pedro noticed a large banner displaying the numbers “753.” Curious, he asked their guide about its meaning. She explained that “753” refers to a traditional celebration for children in Japan, where boys at the ages of three and five, and girls at the ages of three and seven, participate in special ceremonies. Pedro found it fascinating that these ages aligned with the 753 Code developed by the Valente Brothers, highlighting a meaningful connection with Japanese culture.

After their visit to the shrine, Pedro and Ted returned to the hotel to prepare for the evening seminar at Axis Jiu-Jitsu Academy, run by Sensei Takamasa Watanabe, a longtime friend of the Valente Brothers. The seminar had an impressive turnout, with a large group of respectful and motivated students. Pedro taught the Five Elements of Jujutsu as a complete fighting system, focusing on striking, throws, grappling, and philosophy.

Following the seminar, a roundtable discussion took place with several experts, including Tetsuya Nakajima, a Ph.D. in anthropology and a professor of martial arts history, Teruyuki Okuda, a key researcher in the history of jujutsu in both Japan and Brazil and Yoshifumi Hishida, Ph.D. Also in attendance was Goko Hosokawa, the author of a book on Mataemon Tanabe. The discussion, organized by Gustavo Goulart, from São Paulo, Brazil, and Takamasa Watanabe, covered various aspects of jujutsu’s history and its evolution. During the conversation, Pedro shared rare footage of private training sessions with Grandmaster Helio Gracie, which had only been seen by a few individuals. Before they parted, Mr. Okuda presented Pedro with a book written by Kashiwazaki, a gesture Pedro greatly appreciated.

The roundtable conversation extended late into the night, concluding around 11:30 p.m. It was a highly productive day, deepening both Pedro and Ted’s understanding of jujutsu’s powerful history.

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Valente Brothers’ Japan Journey – Day 3: Exploring the Imperial Palace and Eishoji Temple

Posted on by Gui Valente

In this entry, we will keep Pedro’s own words to better reflect the incredible experience at the Eishoji Temple.

This morning began with a workout at the hotel gym. Shortly after, a local guide joined Ted and I for a tour around the city. Our first stop was the Imperial Palace, formerly Edo Castle during the Tokugawa period. The palace became the residence of the Emperor after the Meiji Restoration.

Next, we headed to Ginza, one of Tokyo’s most famous shopping districts, before visiting the Eishoji Temple. This temple holds great significance for us, as it is where the Kodokan Judo Institute was founded in 1882.

As we stood at the entrance of the temple, something extraordinary happened. An elderly woman, who seemed to work there, approached us and said, “Normally, we don’t open the doors or allow visitors inside, but I feel I should help you today.” To our surprise, she opened the door and invited us inside.

She led us into a small, traditional tea ceremony room—a sacred space where samurais used to leave their swords outside before entering through a small, humble opening. This practice symbolized humility, as everyone inside was equal, and the room was reserved for peace and harmony. We knelt in the serene atmosphere, feeling a deep connection to the history of the place.

Ted and I spent time speaking with the woman, and I shared insights about Bushido, explaining how my brothers and I have dedicated our lives to teaching Japanese culture and the art of jujutsu. She was visibly moved, telling us that she felt a connection that prompted her to let us inside. It was a special moment, and we took photos to remember it.

After our visit to the temple, we returned to the hotel, where I relaxed in the sauna and enjoyed a traditional Japanese bath.

We ended the day with dinner at a teppanyaki restaurant, where guests sat around a large circular table, watching the chefs prepare an impressive meal. The menu featured steak and seafood, all cooked to perfection. It was a fantastic dining experience and a perfect way to wrap up an incredible day.