Kodokan Tour (video)

**ippwned** · Posted On: 12/17/2011 1:20pm

Afternoon everyone,

I did a quick search on the forum and couldn't find this video anywhere so I thought I'd post the link.

It's a short tour of the Kodokan for anyone who has never been there (I'm assuming that is most of you).

Without further ado here it is;

It's a shame there is nothing like this in the UK...

**dustymars** · Posted On: 12/17/2011 3:43pm

Sure looked different when I was first there in 1960.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30187082@N07/6527383471/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30187082@N07/6527383553/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/30187082@N07/6527383363/

**steelman61** · Posted On: 1/25/2012 9:29am

LOVE these old photos. I was there 10 years later.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7516661...n/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7516661...n/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7516661...n/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7516661...n/photostream/

**dustymars** · Posted On: 1/25/2012 9:53am

Two images: old freind 1961 and me in 2002, then teh main dojo floor in 2002. Was there visiting our son in March 2002.

http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/...s/2kodokan.jpg
http://i1147.photobucket.com/albums/...s/KODOKAN9.jpg

**steelman61** · Posted On: 1/25/2012 10:24am

Wow! Other than Dr. K's statue out front, things have certainly changed since 1970.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7516661...in/photostream
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7516661...n/photostream/

**steelman61** · Posted On: 1/25/2012 10:25am

I think everyone had their photo taken beside that statue. Got to find mine...

**dustymars** · Posted On: 1/25/2012 12:09pm

Looked at the one you made in 1970 and it looked like what I remember it was back in 1960. Several of us from Naha AB went to the SAC-ARDC school there in 1961 and lived in a room, slept on old tatami or something. Went back a few more times during 5th Air Force tournaments or to visit and see real trees and eat real eggs! The main dojo floor then was on the left and more than once we met Mifune sensei or watched him teach. Our sensei was usually Kotani and it was always a pleasure to visit with him as well.

We visited with our son and family in 2002 when he was stationed at Atsugi NAS. Wow, the Kodokan surely has changed since I was there. we used to work out at the older Kodokan, but I forget where it is now. Many of my old Judo buds are in the tatami in the sky.

**steelman61** · Posted On: 1/25/2012 3:49pm

Yeah, the main dojo was still on the main floor and the smaller dojos as well as the change rooms were in the basement. It was pretty dark and dingy down there. There was many a night when we tip-toed our way into the Kodokan through the basement late at night.

Kotani Sensei was my sponsor but I didn't see him too much. He and Daigo Sensei did pass me for my sandan though if I remember correctly. At some point, I'm going to load up all my old photos onto my site. Anyone else is welcome to send me photos too and I will upload them.

**dustymars** · Posted On: 1/25/2012 4:50pm

I knew a couple Canadian Judoka in years past, but of course, CRS, make me forget :) we used to practice up on some floor in one of the dojos and Kotani, plus many high dans MA sensei would come in to teach. Many of my old friends, who are still above room temperature, attended those classes or other times. We had some Air Force tournaments in Japan and would always visit the Kodokan. When we were the in 2002 I talked with the museum curator for a while and he remember us Americans there in the 1960’s. We had a great time BS’ing about the good old days :)