Jim S Onchi      WELCOME TO OBUKAN JUDO DOJO, INC.      Professor Jigoro Kano

Premiere Portland Judo since 1926. Kodokan affiliation since 1932.

 
Reflections on a life. Jim S. Onchi. Obukan Judo Shiai December 2007.

Of all the pictures we have, the heart stopper for me is the picture at the left. It's a man I've known personally and at the dojo for nearly 40 years. It's our head man, our leader, Jim S. Onchi.

The title for this photo came to me in a flash: "Reflections on a Life". It was taken as an 89 year old Jim S. Onchi watched the youngsters compete in our Obukan Tournament of December, 1, 2007. Jeff Rooney was the photographer.

Professor Kano at Obukan, August 20, 1932

Obukan Tournament for Rev. Homma
Oct. 9, 1955

Obukan Judo Dojo, April 3, 1932

Jim S. Onchi is in the top right corner of the April 3, 1932 picture.. Bunzaemon Nii sensei, one of our first senseis is in the middle of the picture. Somewhere, somehow we need to come up with a prize for those who can provide the most names. Onchi sensei thinks that there are only two people in this picture who are still alive -- including him. So you start thinking of names and I'll start thinking of a prize for those who come up with the most names.
For those given to real history, take a look at the writing of the real date.

The picture was taken at the dojo on S.E. Division at about 99th.

Mark Hirota -- our New International IJF B Certified Referee!

Mark Hirota's report on his trip to Cuba where he tested for his IJF B Referee certificate. He successfully passed the tests! Congratulations Mark, who now holds an international IJF B Referee Certificate.

Please click here to read his report.
(April 28, 2008)

 

Obukan's Parents, Guardians and Leaders of the Juniors\
Please click here.

Here's to a site we have long needed, a tribute to the many parents and guardians who make junior judo possible. Thanks! More pictures to come.

 

Inland Empire Judo Classic 2008 Pictures
Photos courtesy of Diana McCarty. Please ask the McCarty family if you are looking for other photos. These are just a few of the dozens she took.

Evergreen Tournament 2008 Pictures
Photos courtesy of Diana McCarty. Please ask the McCarty family if you are looking for other photos. There are just a few of the dozens she took.

Obukan's 25 Annual Shiai, December 1979 together with a brief history of Northwest Judo. Please click here.

I have begun updating our brief history. I want to do two things: first, correct inaccuracies and second clarify and expand events. It is axiomatic that memories improve after people read a description of an event. This is what we need.

Newsletters

To read and download our recent newsletters:

Tournament Schedule

To see the most recent tournament schedules and information drawn up and distributed by Mr. Yamada, please click here for March 28, 2008 schedule update.* The schedule contains links to the tournament sponsor's web site where you can obtain the necessary paperwork and/or names of club individuals who can assist with registration.

Nearby Tournaments 2008

April 26 Sakuma Shiai & Kata Burlington, WA
May 10 PNW HS Individual & Team Championships Kent, WA
May 10 - 11 Coaches Clinic Kent, WA
May 17 Seattle Dojo Bellevue, WA
May 24 Budokan Tournament Seattle, WA
June 7 Western Judo Tournament Bellingham, WA
August 30 - 31 USA Fall Classic & Ladder Spokane, WA
August 30 - 31 Junior World Trials Spokane, WA
September 12 - 14

USJF National Kata Clinic
Sponsored by Obukan Judo Dojo, Inc.

Warner-Pacific College
Portland, OR
November 8

Continental Judo Crown Level E Tournament and Referee Examination

Please click here for forms and information.

 Seattle, WA
December 6 Obukan's Annual Invitational Tournament Portland, OR

 

*These schedules are copyrighted by Yamada Dojo, Inc., Mercer Island and reprinted with the implied permission of the copyright holder.

Obukan Judo Dojo, Inc.: a Summary

Obukan is a non-profit organization founded in 1926 by Isei and Nisei of the Japanese-American community. Originally named "Portland Judo Club", it was renamed "Obukan" by none other than the founder of Judo, Professor Jigoro Kano when he visited Portland after the 1932 Olympics. The "O" in our name refers to Oregon; Oregon was called "O-shu" or O-state by Japanese immigrants. "Bu" means martial training; "Kan" means building or training hall. We have operated continuously since 1926, with the exception of the WW II years and a brief period thereafter (1942 - 1952).

Our club and our sport are available to men and women, adults and children alike. Indeed, one of our women black belt instructors is an international referee who can be found refereeing contests in New York, Prague or Panama as easily as teaching our juniors. Some of our men are also international referees with decades of experience. Our black belt instructors include national and international competitors; judoka with over 30 years' experience at our club regularly teach beginners as well as advanced students. Competition is readily available, if you are so inclined. Not a competitor? No problem. Judo is available to all. The founder of Judo, Professor Kano, taught that the primary objective of learning Judo is "mutual welfare and benefit" learned through the "maximum-efficient-use" of mind and body. In other words, Judo is used to develop our spirit and our ability to defend ourselves and to develop our ability to contribute to society.

Individual monthly dues range from $8.00 per month to $15.00 per month. We do not require any contracts. There is no "initiation fee". The total cost for an individual to join Obukan ranges from $58.00 to $65.00. This includes $50.00 for annual membership in the national body, United States Judo Federation, plus the first month of Obukan dues. Ongoing monthly dues, after paying the annual USJF membership, range from $8.00 per month to $15.00 per month.

You can purchase a gi through our club at whatever wholesale price we pay. Gi prices range from $35.00 to $50.00 depending on size.

We practice every Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:15 PM to 7:45 PM (Kata practice is from 5:00 PM to 6:15 PM) at Peninsula Park's Roy Pittman Gymnasium, which is located at 700 N Rosa Park's Way (Portland Blvd.) in Portland.

There is no charge to watch practices and we encourage those thinking of joining to watch at least one workout before making a decision.

Beginner's classes start the first full week of each month.

Please join us in learning and practicing the greatest sport in the world. Judo is now an Olympic event. "Who should join?" you ask. Please read the article below titled "Who should be doing Judo?" What is our club's spirit and ethic? Please click on the link below titled "Heroes". It tells you all you need to know about us. We encourage you to browse the remainder of the site.

Contacts -Obukan Judo Dojo, Inc.
Name Email Phone
Jim S. Onchi, Chief Instructor (503) 654-9442 Home
Dick Brenneke, Webmaster dick@dickbrenneke.com (503) 233-9452 Office
Mark Hirota, Co-Chair Board mhirota101@comcast.net (503) 656-1701 Home
Julie Koyama, Pres. NW Judo Yudanshakai jkoyama@hevanet.com  

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For Obukan Class Schedule please click here.
For Obukan December 1, 2007 Shiai Results, please click here.
(For a PDF copy of the results, please click here.)

Heroes

You really need to read this, it is a slice of reality from a recent practice and beats any fiction adventure book available.

Please click here.

Who should be doing Judo?

The short answer is "Everyone".

There are very few barriers to learning and practicing Judo. Age is certainly not one of them. Our active, on-the-mat members, "judoka" as they are called, range in age from 6 to the 70's. Our leader, Jim Onchi, is 89 years old. Onchi sensei is dressed in his gi and on the mat teaching at nearly every practice. Instruction and practice are tailored to the level of each person's skills and objectives.

Of course we encourage all new participants to discuss their exercise capabilities with their physicians and follow the medical advice given to them. Past or present illnesses need not stop you if you have the desire to learn and practice Judo. One of our senior black belts, who still teaches and competes on the mat every week, is a diabetic who has survived two serious heart attacks, two open heart surgeries and carries numerous stents and a pacemaker. After 36 years of Judo this man remains an active teacher and work out partner. More than one other member is fighting cancer and other serious illnesses with the same courage, style and grace they exhibit on the mat as they teach and work out.

Judo does not favor men or women but contributes to the development and betterment of all. The senior woman at our club, Julie Koyama, a Registered Nurse, is a yodan (4th degree of black belt) with both national and international referee certifications. She is the primary instructor for our junior students but can also be found in New York, Europe or South America refereeing competitions at the highest level. She shares her experiences, giving all of us a greater appreciation of what Judo means to others throughout the world. Richard Muller, a 50 plus year Judo/Jujitsu veteran, retired attorney and retired United States Marine Corps Colonel, and Mark Hirota, a senior urban engineer, are both Obukan senseis (teachers), who also referee these contests. Muller sensei also chairs the Legal Committee of our national association (United States Judo Federation). As you see, our members contribute on local, national and international levels. These people and our other members make Obukan Judo Dojo, Inc. the premier Judo club on the West Coast if not in the nation. Click here to learn more about our leaders.

So, if you have thought about staying in shape or getting back into shape and want to learn a sport designed to contribute not only to your betterment but to help you better contribute to the world around you, come by our practice facility any Tuesday or Thursday evening. Click here to see our schedule or here to see a map or here to email us.
USJF Membership Form Application for Kodokan Rank Form
Courtesy of Julie Koyama
USJF Life Membership Form  
USJF Background Check Form  
USJF Promotion Form  
Judo Techniques Summarized  

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