About Obukan Judo Dojo, Inc.
Obukan Judo Dojo, Inc. is the oldest Oregon judo club, founded in 1926 and interrupted only by World War II. It is oriented towards children and families while providing instruction by national and international competitors and referees.
Training at Obukan can include preparation for national and international competition as both competitors and internationally certified referees. We have two members, Mark Hirota Co-Chairman of Obukan and Julie Koyama, who have earned their international referee credentials and regularly teach here. Competitive members have gone on to represent their college at the USA World University Team in, for example, Prague, Czech Republic.
Not everyone enjoys competition and Obukan accommodates those who are drawn to Judo as a sport where great exercise and mental training are available and where "kata", or the "forms" of Judo can be learned from true masters of this art.
Today we have members on the mat who are as young as 6 years old and some in their late 60's and early 70's. In other words, Obukan Judo Dojo, Inc. has become a home for everyone interested in learning Judo and applying its spirit to their daily lives.
Who's Who at Obukan
Jim S. Onchi, our Chief Instructor and Chairman of Obukan's Board of Directors, joined Obukan as a child over 85 years ago. He holds the 8th degree of black belt which was awarded to him by the Kodokan and the United States Judo Federation. He has devoted a lifetime to spreading the philosophy and practice of judo and is at every workout helping children, beginners and national competitors alike.
On December 8, 2002 Onchi sensei, at a ceremony hosted by the Japanese Consul General in Portland, was awarded the decoration of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays, by the Emperor of Japan. A fitting cap to a lifetime of contribution to the martial arts and to cross-cultural-understanding.
Toshio Ichinoe, a 7th degree of black belt, is our Chief Instructor and a Co-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Obukan. He grew up in a judo family in Japan, honing his skills from grade school through college as a national level competitor in the demanding Japanese competitions as well as in United States national competitions. Today he is at home with both beginners and the highest level of competitors as he teaches not only how to "do" judo but how to live the spirit of judo.
Richard Muller, a rokudan, or 6th degree of black belt, and head of United States Judo Federation's Legal Committee brings to us techniques learned form his many years studying and practicing jujitsu before taking up Judo. Richard introduced Judo to prestigious Reed College in Portland in 1952 and then spent years teaching judo there. Richard is also a certified national referee. With this and his other judo contributions, he brings back to our local club national and international perspectives not available anywhere else.
Mark Hirota, a godan, or 5th degree of black belt, is Co-Chairman of Obukan's Board of Directors, a former winning, national competitor and now an internationally certified referee. Quiet and unassuming, his competitive judo skills and teaching ability are legendary throughout the Northwest Yudanshakai. His teaching skills allow him to share what he has learned with students of all levels.
Rod Conduragis, is a godan, or 5th degree of black belt, and a national and international champion. Rod is a two time national champion and an alternate for the World Team in 1985. He is a three time Senior National champion and a recent US Open International Master Champion. Rod's vast experience includes ne-waza (grappling techniques) learned from East Coast masters, where he grew up, provides us with a teacher whose background and perspective is found in very few clubs. He is willing to share his knowledge and skills at any level, which helps him complement our other senior and junior class black belt instructors.
Dick Middlebrooks, a 5th degree of black belt, is our Coordinator of Instructors, a Senior Instructor and member of the Board of Directors of our club. He is a national competitor and frequent winner with over 35 years of judo experience. Dick recently went through two back to back years of local and national competition without losing a single match. He is a well respected National Champion. Dick is also skilled in other martial arts. Despite his imposing presence and high level of competitive, winning national experience he is able to impart his vast skills to children and adults of every level.
Julie Koyama, a yodan or 4th degree of black belt, is an internationally certified referee and leads the instruction of our juniors. Frequently refereeing judo competitions throughout the United States and in other North and South American venues, she is able to continually enhance our club's knowledge by sharing what she learns in other cultures and nations. By sharing her experience, she helps to make Obukan a truly international club. Julie continues to give back to our sport as a 2nd Vice President and director of development of the United States Judo Federation.
Obukan's Yudansha and Kodansha are frequently on the mat ... Dick Brenneke, a yodan or 4th degree of black belt, oversees new students, often providing one-on-one instruction as he brings his 35 years of experience to bear in helping them get the most out of their initial judo experience. He is a frequent teacher, drawing on his many years of competition and practice... Mike Arnold, a yodan or 4th degree of black belt, brings nearly 50 years of judo experience to his quiet and competent teaching. He also draws upon years of karate and jujitsu experience making his background and teaching skills unique at Obukan. Mike's presence enhances Obukan's ties to the past -- he began judo at Obukan less than 20 years from the time Professor Kano visited and help reorganize our club. When he was competing he had a long winning history. Mike and Dick are second only to Onchi Sensei as the oldest judoka on the mat. Proof that there are no age limits in judo, a sport that offers something to everyone at any age and level of interest. Blane Bellerud, another of our senior teachers, brings with him significant kata experience obtained not only in the United States but from Kodokan. His kata certification allows him to provide invaluable assistance to those interested in non-competition judo.
Not only do we have superb teachers, four of them have gone on to become national and international referees. Led by Onchi sensei, the group includes Muller sensei, Hirota sensei and Koyama sensei. Because of their work with judo players in other parts of the world they are able to share with us techniques and approaches to judo not found in the Northwest and so deepen our knowledge of Judo.
Obukan Judo Dojo, Inc. is a member of the United States Judo Federation (USJF), United States Judo Association (USJA) and the Northwest Yudanshakai.
*All black belt ranks are recognized by and registered with the Kodokan in Japan.
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