Koji Lau-Ozawa bows as he enters the dojo for Monday night kendo practice. Rei, a sign of respect, is how kendo begins, he explains. To the untrained eye, a kendo match might appear fearsome and intimidating. Screaming fighters race toward their opponents with bamboo swords (shinai) slashing through the air. But Lau-Ozawa, head instructor of […]
More than Meets the Eye: Understanding the depth behind the ‘Way of the Sword’
April 1, 2023 by Leave a Comment
DUAL BATTLES: Mountain View City Councilwoman fought cancer during campaign
October 26, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Mountain View City Councilmember Margaret Abe-Koga discovered her competitive streak while practicing kendo as a middle schooler. “I’m of the belief that the best offense is a strong defense,” she says, recalling how the martial art taught her to “read” her opponents and anticipate their next move. As an adult, she took that outlook to […]
The Hazard family and martial arts in Northern California
April 3, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Those who have been around kendo (bamboo sword fighting) in the United States, fondly remember the name Benjamin Hazard. According to twin sisters Malyne and Alyne Hazard, two of the late kendo master’s four daughters, he had a hand in creating several kendo dojo in Northern California, as well as establishing kyudo (archery) and naginata […]
Japanese cultural classes
April 4, 2014 by 2 Comments
Taiko San Francisco GenRyu Arts Location: Japanese Cultural and Community Center of Northern California, 1840 Sutter St., S.F.’s Japantown Contact: (415) 420-3151, info@genryuarts.org, www.genryuarts.org Maikaze Daiko Location: Dance Mission Theater, 3316 24th St., S.F. Contact: (415) 513-7798, info@maikazedaiko.org, www.maikazedaiko.org San Francisco Taiko Dojo Classes: 212 Ryan Way South San Francisco, CA 94080 Contact: (415) 928-2456, […]
COURTING DREAMS: Los Angeles City Council grants Little Tokyo sports complex final approval
June 30, 2011 by Leave a Comment
LOS ANGELES — The Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC) inched closer to its goal of building a recreation center in the Japanese American community when the City of Los Angeles gave its final approval on May 17 to develop the Budokan of Los Angeles. The City Council voted to grant LTSC a long-term ground lease […]
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