[Anaedilla]

Hi Forum,

Some of you may have practiced at Noma dojo (Kodansha publishing company's dojo), and are aware of how fantanstic an old traditional dojo it is. Kodansha have recently decided to knock down Noma dojo and move the members to a nearby modern dojo.

Nomo dojo has an extremely strong and long history. It was completed in Taisho 14 by the founder of Kodansha Noma Seiji with the support of Nakayama Hakudo. Japan's last Tenran Jiai (Kendo competition with the Emperor present) too place there and it was home to many famous sensei, including Noma Hisashi, Mochizuki Masafusa and the most famous of the twentieth century Mochida Moriji sensei. Although it is has not been a member of the zenkenren for some time, it is still the most popular dojo in Tokyo with many top sensei coming there from all over Japan and the world.

I don't have any further details other than they plan to knock it down September 2007, but I thought that I would make the members on the forum aware of the fact. I beg you all to write letters to Kodansha Japan and explain the importance of such a dojo being preserved as a cultural experience for foriegn visitors and the impotance of practicing kendo in that enviroment etc. The current members of Noma need all of the support that they can get. If I can find the website for making petitions I shall post a link soon, and I shall also search for a direct address of the person responsible at Kodansha.

Thanks in advance for your support.

Paul Martin