Noma dojo Update!

[Paul Martin]

Noma dojo made the Financial times today thanks to Mure Dickie.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/41d03670-28af-11dc-af78-000b5df10621.html

Also check out Mure's great photos of Noma. Don't forget you can still sign the petition if you haven't already. We are aiming for 2000 signatures.

http://www.petitiononline.com/savenoma/petition.html

Best

[Fudo-Shin]

LOL, the great Terry Holt Sensei, line 505;
"I always visit Norma every time I am in Tokyo"...

[nysamurai]

Thanks for the update, Paul!!!

[Anime12478]

There is a problem. The slideshow said that the last practice there may be in October, but I'm planning on going to Japan in December. I would really love to practice there before it gets demolished (though I hope that can be avoided altogether). I signed the petition a while ago, so I don't think that it's a good idea for me to sign again.

[samurai80]

Its funny, I've never been there, but I'm sad that it will no longer stand. I signed the petition a long time ago, and I'd sign it a thousand more times if I could.

[Paul Martin]

Hi Everyone,

Obviously saving the dojo in its present condition is the best option. This is pretty unlikely at the moment unless there is some kind of divine intervention. Last practice in the current building is reported to be on the 19th of October 2007. However, Noma practice will still continue at a new modern Noma dojo very close to the site of the original. Most of the same excellent fencers will still be there to practice with. I cannot guarantee that everyine will get up at 5 am to travel an hour plus to practice at a modern dojo like the one around the corner from your apartment.

The best possible second prize is that the Noma Seiji Kensho(?) Kai is trying to have the dojo taken down and re-assembled in Noma Seiji's home prefecture of Gunma. If this case becomes a reality, the experience will still be available, and I am positive that Noma dojo members will arrange fairly regular weekend courses there.

If you come to Japan after Noma is taken down, it is still very worth your while to practice at the excellent level of kendo at Noma dojo.

We still need 180 signatures to hit our target on the petition. It is being handed in at the end of this month. If you haven't signed please do so now!

Thanks to everyone so far for your support, the response has been fantastic.

Best

[Kapplow]

Did the E-budo people sign it?

[nikozamo]

i hope, if not please somebody how is memeber in e-budo, take the link and post it there

good waves to noma dojo! :D

[Fudo-Shin]

...Last practice in the current building is reported to be on the 19th of October 2007...MOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will be in Tokyo early November to watch the Senshuken and visit Noma Dojo. Oh well, I'm sure the Kendo will still be great at the new Dojo, it's just that some great Kenshi have trained there (the old one) in the past. I would love to walk/keiko on the same floor that absorbed all that sweat, history, tears etc over the years. Is there any way we can slow progress?? Ignatz, can you think of any legal "spanners" to throw in the machine????:)....Hey, if you all see a Gaijin in bougu with a shinai chained to a post at the entrance staring forward at an oncoming Bulldozer on the news, you will know it's me!!:wink:

[Hisham]

The best possible second prize is that the Noma Seiji Kensho(?) Kai is trying to have the dojo taken down and re-assembled in Noma Seiji's home prefecture of Gunma. If this case becomes a reality, the experience will still be available, and I am positive that Noma dojo members will arrange fairly regular weekend courses there.
t

I hope this option is discussed by the Kodansha management.
Of course training is training but there is something about old training halls that new ones don't have.

[Ramen]

Heard from a few local kendoka's on the weekend that it would definitely be this year. Also that due to degrading building structures they have no choice but to take it down. I hope to visit this month sometime.

Anyone else knows of any other "traditional" looking dojo's in Tokyo (besides the one I go to in Shibuya).

[tamaki]

Aibukan Dojo in Hachiouji is beautiful,I think.If you search online you can see photos on its site.I think you need introduction to train there,though.


[quote=Ramen;268514

Anyone else knows of any other "traditional" looking dojo's in Tokyo (besides the one I go to in Shibuya).[/quote]

[j.noh]

I got to keiko with Tomokawa sensei (head sensei at Noma) for 2 mins last Saturday. His Kendo is so beautiful I can't even start to describe it. I will also be in Tokyo in November and regret that I won't be able to see it.