It's June. be ready for Summer training!

`According to Wikipedia: “June is known for the large number of marriages that occur over the course of the month. June is named after Juno (Hera). Juno was the goddess of marriage and a married couple's household, so some consider it good luck to be married in this month”

`I know this is the hardest month to get any popular spot for a big seminar like the US National. We had to compete with all the wedding planners to reserve any good candidates way in advance.

In Japan, it is same as the US; June is the busiest month for Wedding. Maybe some American influence for young Japanese couples, but also it's seasonal tradition. There are Bōshu (芒種): June 6 - Grain in ear and Geshi (夏至): June 21 - Summer solstice, middle of summer in this month.

In the other hand, *Japanese traditional calendar called June as 水無月 (minatsuki or minazuki, month of water — 水 (mizu or mi) means water, and the 無 (mu or na) character, which normally means "not", is here ateji, that is, used only for the sound "na". In this name the na is actually a possessive particle, so Minazuki means "month of water," not "month without water", and maybe it was in reference to the flooding of the rice fields. It is one of the few months that doesn't have its own national holiday which is a little less torture for travelers---The day of a national holiday day inconceivably over-crowded---the government seems reluctant to plan festivals or events as the rain could come and spoil it all.

When I was in middle and high school, I remember I had to change my thick, black school uniform to a very white, half-sleeve shirt with my school logo on my chest from June 1st. Yes, it had to be on the first day in June exactly! It was not just school students, but also all business and office workers changed their clothes to something more cooler. Everybody follows, not because a its law, but because it's the traditional social obligation and nobody pays attention to who started it or when exactly--most likely from a seasonal practicality in the beginning---Amazing sight!! Can we expect something like that in US?

Most part of June is still rainy Baiu 梅雨 monsoon season in Japan. I would suggest not going to Japan if you really don't like rain, plus its hot and very humid weather! How do you survive there if you go during this season? First, you can ask your mind to understand why it's so humid, it sounds silly, but once our mind figures out the reason it is unavoidable, our body will start to relax. It becomes “no big deal”. Some people use the “no, it's not hot” method, but such a method of denial really does not work well in the long run, and is not healthy...It's better just to feel what it is, and find something you can enjoy with your family or friends only during the season. Plus this is very good training for Aikido, teaches you how to relax better. People in old days in Japan, they figure out to enjoy the natural surroundings of this season with food and clothing, instead of controlling the natural environment, such as using an air conditioner. My technique is wearing **Yukata and drinking a cold beer with my student after good training. What is yours?

Well, for people who love rain, I suggest going to the rain forest in the Olympic National Park, near Seattle. It's much cleaner and less crowded, you can see many old trees and mosses and also some huge slugs instead of many people. You know, you can get married there also...

*Since January 1, 1873, Japan has used the Gregorian calendar, with local names for the months and mostly fixed holidays. Before 1873, a lunisolar calendar was in use, which was adapted from the Chinese calendar.[1] Japanese eras are still in use.

**Yukata (浴衣) is a Japanese summer garment.

Rain forest at the Olympic National Park, WA, USA