Traditional Japanese Music and Dance

Odori (Dance)

Ensohza Minyoshu at Crissy Field Center, Presidio, SF

Schedule: Sun. (twice a month), 5-7 p.m.
Cost: Sessions are free. Students must make a commitment to joining the performance group, which entails costume costs and other occasional fees for training with master teachers.

Contact: info@enzohza.org. Training in Japanese folk dance for performances around the Bay Area.

Michiya Hanayagi at JCCCNC, 1840 Sutter St., SF
Schedule: Mon., 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Cost: Classes are $35/month for JCCCNC members and are $45/month for non-members.
Contact: (415) 567-5505 or programevents@jcccnc.org. Students will develop rhythm, poise, self-confidence and learn kimono etiquette and basic dances.

Koto
Yu-Ai Kai, 588 N. Fourth St., San Jose’s Japantown
Schedule: 1st and 3rd Sat. of each month, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Cost: Classes are $1 for senior club members and $3 for non-members.

Contact: (408) 294-2505 or staff@yuaikai.org. Training in how to play the traditional koto. Basic songs as well as instrument care will be covered.

Martial Arts

San Francisco

Iaido (Art of Drawing a Sword)

Iaido classes with Andrej Diamantstein Sensei

Location: S.F. Aikikai, 1625 Bush St., S.F.

Schedule: 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Wed. and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sun.

Cost: Classes are $130/month for individual members, $80/month for group lessons; private lessons are also available.

Contact: Andrej Diamantstein, (510) 231-0678 or eishin_ryu_sensei@yahoo.com

The proper technique for holding a sword and opening ceremony rituals are taught at the first class.

San Francisco Kakashi Iai Study Group

Location: AJIF Renshi Roku-dan

Contact: toryu@toryu-mon.com, www.toryu-mon.com

Classes offered 3 times/week

Judo

Soko Joshi

Location: San Francisco Women’s Judo Club, 1622 Castro St. at 26th St. in Noe Valley

Schedule: Tues. and Thurs., 6 to 8 p.m. and Sat., 10 a.m. to noon

Contact: (415) 412-6649, sokojoshi@yahoo.com

Females of all ages can practice fitness, self-defense and kata.

Karate

Zanshin Martial Arts

(Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate Do)

Location: 640 Stanyan St.

Schedule: Classes offered daily (Mon. – Fri. after 3 p.m. and on weekends, 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.)

Cost: $149 for two months of unlimited classes for all ages; a complimentary uniform (dogi) is also provided upon joining the dojo

Contact: zanshincenter@att.net, (415) 221-5425, sfgoju.com

Classes for all ages and levels are available.

World Oyama Karate

Location: 550 Taraval St.

Schedule: Mon.–Sat.

Contact: (415) 670-7644

Classes for all ages and levels are offered. Practice fitness, learn self-defense and kata.

Kendo

SF Kendo Dojo

Locations: Buddhist Church of S.F., 1881 Pine St. (Mon.), JCCCNC Gym, 1840 Sutter St. in SF’s Japantown (Thurs.)

Schedule: Mon. and Thurs., 7-9 p.m.

Cost: There is an annual fee of $400 for adults and an annual fee of $275 for children (under 18)

Contact: David Nakanishi, (510) 531-7539

Learn how to hold a sword, the etiquette of kendo matches and the rituals involved.

East Bay

Karate

Berkeley Live Oak Park
Wado Kai Karate Dojo

Location: 1301 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley.

Schedule: Tue., Thurs., 7-9 p.m. and Sat., 9:45-10:45 a.m.

Cost: Classes are $35 per month for once a week classes, $50 for twice a week (Tues. and Thurs.) and, $25 for Sat. classes.

Learn practical fitness and self-defense.

Kendo

Oakland Kendo Dojo

Location: deFremery Recreation Center, 1651 Adeline St., Oakland (Wed. and Fri.), and Buddhist Temple of Alameda (Sat.)

Schedule: Wed., 7-9 p.m., Fri., 7-9 p.m. and Sat., 9-11 a.m.

Cost: Annual dues are $270 or $180 for children under age 18.

Contact: Sylvette Orlianges, sylvette_jiun@yahoo.com

Training in the ritual of Japanese shinai (bamboo) swords.

Iaido (Art of Drawing a Sword)

Iaido classes by Andrej Diamantstein Sensei

Location: 2525 8th St. Studio #12, Berkeley

Schedule: Tues., 9-11 a.m., and 8-10 p.m., Thurs., 6-8 p.m., and Sat., 8-10 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Cost: Classes are $130/month for individual members, $80/month for group lessons; private lessons also available.

Contact: Andrej Diamantstein, (510) 231-0678 or eishin_ryu_sensei@yahoo.com

Proper technique for holding a sword and opening ceremony rituals are taught at the first class.

South Bay

Karate

World Oyama Karate

Location: 38 So. B St., San Mateo

Schedule: Mon.- Sat.

Contact: (650) 579-6744

Classes for all ages and levels are offered. Learn fitness, self-defense and kata.

Kendo

Mountain View Kendo Dojo

Location: Mountain View Buddhist Temple, 575 N. Shoreline Blvd., Mountain View (Mon.), and Peterson Middle School, 1380 Rosalia Ave. Sunnyvale (Thurs.)

Schedule: Mon. and Thurs., 7-9 p.m.,

Cost: There is an annual fee of $45 for children under 17 and a $70 annual fee for adults. There is a monthly fee of $25 for all members.

Contact: Hide Kokawa, hkokawa@aol.com.

Learn the basics of Japanese swordsmanship.

San Jose Kendo Dojo

Location: San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, 640 N. Fifth St. (Tues. and Thurs.), and Nichiren Buddhist Temple, 3570 Mona Way (Fri.)

Schedule: Tues., 7-9:30 p.m., Thurs., 7-9:30 p.m., and Fri. 8-9:30 p.m.

Cost: There is an annual fee of $45 for children (under 17) and a $70 annual fee for adults. There is a monthly fee of $25/month for members under 17 and $30/month for adults.

Contact: contact@sjkendo.com, sjkendo.com

Basics as well as customs will be demonstrated and explained.

Palo Alto Kendo Dojo

Location: So. Alameda Co. Buddhist Church Gym, 32975 Alvarado-Niles Rd., Union City (Mon and Thurs), and Palo Alto Buddhist Temple Gym (Wed)

Schedule: Mon., 7:15 p.m., Wed., 7-9:30 p.m., and Thurs., 7:15-9 p.m.

Cost: There is an annual fee of $45 for children under 17 and a $70 annual fee for adults. There is a monthly fee of $25 for all members.

Contact: Dr. Walter Hashimoto (head instructor) at (510) 797-7010 or e-mail Arthur Leung, paloaltokendodojo@gmail.com, paloaltokendo.org

The Palo Alto Kendo Dojo welcomes people of all skill levels.

San Mateo Kendo Dojo

Location: King Center, 725 Monte Diablo Ave., San Mateo Schedule: Tues., 6:30-9 p.m.

Contact: Jean Tessier, jean@sanmateokendo.org

Learn the basics of Japanese swordsmanship and practice with other members of the community.

Salinas Kendo Dojo

Location: Salinas Buddhist Temple, 14 California St., Salinas (Mon. and Thurs.), and Monterey YMCA, 500 El Estero,
Monterey (Fri.).

Schedule: Mon. and Thurs., 7-8:30 p.m. and Fri., 6-7:30 p.m.

Cost: There is an annual fee of $45 for children under 17 and a $70 annual fee for adults. There is a fee of $15/month for children under 17, $20/month for college students, $25/month for adults and $35/month for families.

Contact: salinaskendo.org

Practice with other members of the Salinas Kendo Dojo and learn from their experience.

Cultural Arts

Ikebana (Flower Arranging)

JCCCNC, 1840 Sutter St., San Francisco’s Japantown

Schedule: Tues., 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Cost: Classes are $50/month for JCCCNC members, and $65/month for non-members.

Contact: (415) 567-5505 or programevents@jcccnc.org

Learn to arrange flowers, and other plants according to different schools of ikebana.

Yu-Ai Kai, 588 N. Fourth St., San Jose’s Japantown

Schedule: 1st Wed. of each month, 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Cost: Classes are $1 for senior club members and $3 for non-members. There is an additional materials fee.

Contact: (408) 294-2505 or staff@yuaikai.org.

Enjoy the art of incorporating flowers into different vases while meeting fellow community members.

Mataro (Kimekomi) Dolls

San Francisco-East Bay Mataro Miyabikai

Contact: Merry Nishimura, machisumi@sbcglobal.net. Cost: Class cost may run from $10-15 for a 2-4 hour session. The cost of the dolls varies from $50-$300, depending on how elaborate they are. Schedule: Most classes are held on the weekends.

Washi Ningyo

JCCCNC, 1840 Sutter St., San Francisco’s Japantown

Schedule: Every third Sat.; classes are typically offered from 9 a.m. to noon, and from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. There is an $8/class fee and $10/material fee.
Contact: Yurie Nakamura, yurie@sbcglobal.net or Rochelle Lum, happylum2@juno.com. Learn how to make a traditional Japanese paper doll from paper and cotton.

Taiko (Japanese Drums)

San Francisco Taiko Dojo, 212 Ryan Way, South SF

Schedule: Tues., 5:45-6:45 p.m. (children), and 7-9 p.m. for adults. Cost: There is a fee of $45/month for children and $70/month for adults. Contact: San Francisco Taiko Showroom at (415) 928-2456 (415-92TAIKO), or the San Francisco Taiko Dojo in South San Francisco at (650) 583-4900, or e-mail classes@sftaiko.com. Practice and learn how to perform with the various types of Japanese style drums.San Jose Taiko

Schedule: Sun. Classes are typically offered in eight-week sessions. Classes are offered for all age groups. Contact: (408) 293-9344 or taiko@taiko.org

Senior Taiko classes with Yu-Ai Kai, Akiyama Wellness Center, 110 Jackson St. San Jose.

Schedule: Wed., 1-2 p.m. (eight-week sessions). Classes are $80 for senior club members only. Each session consists of 8 classes. Contact: (408) 294-2505 or staff@yuaikai.org.Taiko drums will be provided. Training in the different techniques of taiko will be overviewed.

JCCCNC, 1840 Sutter St., San Francisco’s Japantown

Mon-Sat (Call for times). Instructor: Melody Takata. The Beginning classes focus on drumming fundamentals including: Traditional Japanese Sensei/Gakusei (Teacher/Student) etiquette, proper playing stances and forms and discipline and harmony of mind, body and spirit. Member fees: $55/month, non-member fees: $65/month. Call (415) 567-5505 or e-mail programsevents@jcccnc.org.