Club review: Takahashi Dojo

**Jaric** · Posted On: 6/13/2006 11:19am

Okay so my final review of the day is for a Judo club called Takahashi Dojo School or Martial Arts.

http://www.takahashi-dojo.com/courses.html

This is the most traditional of all the schools I have reviewed so far. It is run by the Takahashi family, a family known by the way to produce Olympic level Judoka. They teach Judo, Karate, Aikido, Kendo, Jiu Jitsu, and Tai Chi. It is a two story dojo. The first floor is a large hardwood room that is used for Kendo, Karate, and Tai Chi. The second floor is all covered with Tatami’s and is used for the rest of the arts.

Of course the one day I show up to watch a class; it’s the Judo kata class. I didn’t even know Judo had kata’s, but I was wrong. And oddly enough the class consisted of 5 black belts doing slow self defense kata’s. On the other side of the room was the Jiu Jitsu class. It looked a lot like my old Can Ryu Jiu Jitsu, but it did have some pad work and some more ground fighting. I spoke to the teacher, and he said that the judo I was looking for was every other night, and this one was aimed at the older students (read:old). We talked about different judo Gi’s, how this JJ was different then mine, and how many ppl in his school now compete (quite a lot).

Over all I got a very good feeling from the teachers and from the class, even though I didn’t really see much. He had the right attitude though, rolling around makes you stronger and you can see what really works. Another good thing is that he said Judo can transition to no Gi pretty well, and one of his brothers wrestled in the Olympics (got 4th) and he can teach some wrestling also.

The school for pricing was a little different then norm. The total for the year for one style was $890 plus tax. You paid three months upfront, then if you liked it you could work out the rest with them (per month, all at once etc). The more arts you do the more money it cost. A standard Gi was around $80, and later you could buy one for as much as $300! Although they said that only real professionals needed the super pricey Gi.

Overall I really liked the school, even though they taught Aikido…

**lifetime** · Posted On: 6/13/2006 12:04pm

Sounds like a good deal, $890 seems reasonable.

**andrewa** · Posted On: 6/17/2006 2:28pm

I've only ever heard good things about this school and the people who run it. However as Jaric says the protocal is very formal which depending on your personality may or may not be a good thing.

**Jaric** · Posted On: 6/17/2006 2:49pm

So I signed up for three months and Ive been to a class. Its great. I cant wait till im the one tossing people around....hehehe...

**karate26** · Posted On: 6/17/2006 6:15pm

Are you also training at the Sambo school? Or cross training at the Tak. Dojo and Carvers?

**Askari** · Posted On: 6/17/2006 6:29pm

The Takahashi clan wrote the book on Judo.

No - Seriously, they actually did write the book:

**Judobum** · Posted On: 6/18/2006 12:23am

Who's teaching there now? I knew a few of them back in the day. The club's generally got a good judo reputation anyway.

Is Tony W still around? If he is, tell him J-P says hi.

**Gezere** · Posted On: 6/18/2006 9:13am

Yes Judo as Kata and striking. More "traditional" schools still teach them.

And you would have been CHOKED if you didn't attend this school the Takahashi clan does indeed put out some top notch Judo players.

**Jaric** · Posted On: 6/19/2006 9:10am

First off the two schools im going with right now is Carvers for MT and Takahashi for Judo. I dont really know who is currently teaching. I think that Tina sensei taught the sat class, and I think ive had Phil sensei teach on wed. Yeah and I gotta get that book...

**Jake Judo** · Posted On: 7/14/2008 12:17am

I have been at the dojo since March and it's now July, I lost 20lbs in 3 months and gained a ton of muscle. My weakness is wrestling and this has improved it big time. There is zero BS here and there is at least 20 blackbelts that regularly attend and you are paired up with them all the time. Belts are to hold your Gi up and you really start at Blackbelt, the rest is getting ready for that. Tuesday Thurs, and Saturdays are for Judo and Sunday is competitor training. There are several red and white belts there up to 8th dan and they will push you. Yo have to ask yourself what you want from a class and what kind of shape you are in. If you are REALLY out of shape you will have to ease into it or start walking a lot before you join, one guy lost 50lbs in 6 months their. There is only one Judo federation unlike Karate where there are dozens.
If you want to get in shape this a a great place, if you want to compete it's fantastic, if you want to take the school bully and drive him through the pavement its perfect.
If you are into the Jazzer-size stuff this is not for you, Judo tried to be save but blood will flow and ribs bruised. I feel alive there and I have started going to Phil Takahashi's Ju-Jitsu class on monday.... It's small but you will be pushed till you break.
They could use some more boxing gloves but that's it. As for a punching bags? That's you!! I have had several UFC gloved fights there with no silly helmets or pads.
There is so much to Judo and you will realise that when a 60+ year old man hands you your ass