Paul Martin
6th March 2007, 02:14 PM
Dear Forum Members,
Now is the time for action against Kodansha publishing company. I posted a while ago saying that I would publish an online petition. I waited to see how the land lay, but now it is time for some positive action. Below is my letter to the Japan times. Can anybody help who knows how to set-up an online petition? Thanks. I tried to post the attachments here, but can't seem to upload them into a readable size. I will post once I have some IT support (James! help!)
Paul Martin
Dear Japan Times,
It would appear that Kodansha publish company are trying to tear down a registered Heritage Building. Also, it appears to be that they are trying to speed up such plans so as to avoid public opposition and a possible drop in sales figures. Could you please investigate this thoroughly and stop a possible travesty.
Please come to the aid of the world's Kendoka who practice kendo at Kodansha's Noma dojo. It is a place of vast historic and cultural worth. It is not only the dojo, but the atmosphere that it holds. Visitors from around the world come to practice at the dojo as it is prime representation of Japanese culture. If possible please send a reporter down to take a look at morning practice between 7-8pm 7 days a week. It was constructed in Taisho 14 by the founder of Kodansha Noma Seiji sensei with the help of lengendary Kendo sensei Nakayama Hakudo. Noma djo was the site of the last ever 'Ten Ran Jiai' (Kendo tournament with the Emperor present). It was also the dojo where the most famous kendo sensei of the 20th century taught, Mochida Moriji sensei 10th dan.
Kodansha would appear to not care about Japanese historical and cultural importance by continuing with their plans to tear down the dojo in what would appear to be an underhanded manner.
In the attachment Noma1, is the cover of the official English version booklet of Noma dojo. On page 4 of this booklet (Noma2), the Kodansha CEO Noma Sawako States that Noma dojo is a registered Heritage Building. I was recently asked by the committee for Noma dojo to appear on TV in an interview with NHK and express my feelings about the dojo. Kodansha blocked this interview on the grounds that it may cause the public to move in opposition with Kodansha's plans to tear down the dojo. In attachment Noma3 is an article ran by the Nihon Shimbun last year stating opposition to the demolition and why it should continue to be used.
Further reading
www.kodansha.co.jp/dojo/noma_dojo_e.html
If you require any further information or introductions to Noma dojo, please feel free to contact me on this email or by my keitai XXX-XXXX-XXXX
Your Sincerely
Paul Martin
Now is the time for action against Kodansha publishing company. I posted a while ago saying that I would publish an online petition. I waited to see how the land lay, but now it is time for some positive action. Below is my letter to the Japan times. Can anybody help who knows how to set-up an online petition? Thanks. I tried to post the attachments here, but can't seem to upload them into a readable size. I will post once I have some IT support (James! help!)
Paul Martin
Dear Japan Times,
It would appear that Kodansha publish company are trying to tear down a registered Heritage Building. Also, it appears to be that they are trying to speed up such plans so as to avoid public opposition and a possible drop in sales figures. Could you please investigate this thoroughly and stop a possible travesty.
Please come to the aid of the world's Kendoka who practice kendo at Kodansha's Noma dojo. It is a place of vast historic and cultural worth. It is not only the dojo, but the atmosphere that it holds. Visitors from around the world come to practice at the dojo as it is prime representation of Japanese culture. If possible please send a reporter down to take a look at morning practice between 7-8pm 7 days a week. It was constructed in Taisho 14 by the founder of Kodansha Noma Seiji sensei with the help of lengendary Kendo sensei Nakayama Hakudo. Noma djo was the site of the last ever 'Ten Ran Jiai' (Kendo tournament with the Emperor present). It was also the dojo where the most famous kendo sensei of the 20th century taught, Mochida Moriji sensei 10th dan.
Kodansha would appear to not care about Japanese historical and cultural importance by continuing with their plans to tear down the dojo in what would appear to be an underhanded manner.
In the attachment Noma1, is the cover of the official English version booklet of Noma dojo. On page 4 of this booklet (Noma2), the Kodansha CEO Noma Sawako States that Noma dojo is a registered Heritage Building. I was recently asked by the committee for Noma dojo to appear on TV in an interview with NHK and express my feelings about the dojo. Kodansha blocked this interview on the grounds that it may cause the public to move in opposition with Kodansha's plans to tear down the dojo. In attachment Noma3 is an article ran by the Nihon Shimbun last year stating opposition to the demolition and why it should continue to be used.
Further reading
www.kodansha.co.jp/dojo/noma_dojo_e.html
If you require any further information or introductions to Noma dojo, please feel free to contact me on this email or by my keitai XXX-XXXX-XXXX
Your Sincerely
Paul Martin