WELCOME TO OBUKAN JUDO DOJO, INC.      

Premiere Portland Judo since 1926. Kodokan affiliation since 1932.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS

Obukan Judo Dojo, Inc. admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

Tournament Schedule

To see the most recent tournament schedules and information drawn up and distributed by Mr. Yamada, please click here for the updated March 29, 2010 schedule.* Please note that 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.

Obukan Judo Dojo, Inc.: a Summary

Obukan is a non-profit organization (501(c)3) 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).

Today we have instructors who are top ranked national winners in the United States and in Japan. We also are very proud to be home to several national and international referees. Very few clubs in the United States can make these claims about their instructors and referees.

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.