a traditional dojo near

[Carlton]

Would it be possible to build a Japanese Sword Dojo, of traditional Japanese architecture and craftsmanship, in the United States? What would be the costs? Who would one hire? Just an inquiry into what may be a future endeavor
Imagine how splended a facility it would be. Gardens, baths, and green tea for after practice relaxation and contemplation- like in Japan.
Are there any in the US? Has the West settled for borrowed facilities and strip malls?

[Neil Yamamoto]

I can't speak as to costs, but US architectual laws have problems with traditional Japanese architectural methods.

What you can do is come as close as possible by checking local codes and conforming to those and as many cosmetic cover ups as needed. Bernie Lau did this for his dojo in his backyard up here in WA state. We used to sit and have tea after class, but it was much more fun to have sake and beers.

Since your sig shows you are in Hillsboro, OR, go check out the Japanese garden at Washington Park. This is about as close to traditional as you can get for what you describe.

Of course, traditional can have a lot of meanings. Going by some dojo locations I've been at in Japan, traditional can mean that the benjo ditch has a board that covers it when not in use or that the train going by means a minute or two pause in Sensei talking, or only 6 people can train at a time due to space limitations.

Good luck in pursuing a dojo as you describe, it would be really nice but expect to spend more than some families live on in a year.

[Brian Owens]

I seem to recall reading somewhere that Stephen K. Hayes was building an Edo-period styled dojo somewhere.

Kannagara Dojo in Granite Falls, Washington looks very traditional, and is also a Shinto shrine.

With a liberal interpretation of building codes and a little imagination it shouldn't be too hard to come up with something with the right "flavor" -- if you have the funds. This is America after all -- the dollar rules.

If you work with an architect and/or builder that does "post and beam" construction as opposed to conventionaly framed "stick built" construction that should help as well. Lindal Cedar Homes is one company I know of that has done homes, offices, churches, etc. that could easily be modified to have a "traditional dojo" look.

Keep us appraised if you are able to go ahead with you idea. It sounds interesting.

Yours in Budo,
Brian Owens

P.S. Below is the only photo I could find of Kannagara Dojo / Tsubaki Grand Shrine of America.

[Tim Mailloux]

Originally posted by Neil Yamamoto
I can't speak as to costs, but US architectual laws have problems with traditional Japanese architectural methods.


Speaking as a member of the architectural community, I can say that it would not be a problem to build a dojo as described above and to have it meet all local building codes. Of course the construction methods would not be the same as in Japan, but the final product would look the same. Now while this could be done, the cost to do such a project would be vastly higher than a conventionally built structure.

[Matt Wolfson]

Hello to all,
My brother and I have built a japanese flavored dojo. It was built out of 75% salvaged matierals. It measures 23x 36 feet of work out area. All the interior wood paneling was salavaged, along with the windows, doors, floor joists, rafters, 2x4's, as well as the hand hewn beams from a 1720's barn. Deck and exterior planking was cut on a portable sawmill (to the right in the third picture). porch posts are local trees striped of bark with a spoke shave and mounted on stones. We used a combination of post and beam and stick framing methods in construction. It took several years to aquire and prepare the matierals an several more years of part time labor to construct it. It was a labor and time intensive labor of love. }:) We where able to do the project for under $7000.
-Littlepond
http://www.cs.pitt.edu/~wolfson/karate/karate/index.htm

[gendzwil]

See here (http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/1b080/dca7c/4/), scroll down to Steveston Martial Arts Centre. Google for the same term brings up some references too.

[chrismoses]

"Of course the construction methods would not be the same as in Japan, but the final product would look the same." TM

I think this is what Neil was saying. I don't think many building codes allow for balancing entire buildings on rounded rocks. Even if they did, finding a contractor willing to do that for you would be nearly impossible. The overall look and feel of a Japanese space can be accomplished fairly well however.

The Kannagara Jingu is a good example, as is the Stevenston Martial Arts Center outside of Vancouver BC.

[Kusarigama]

Originally posted by chrismoses
"Of course the construction methods would not be the same as in Japan, but the final product would look the same." TM

I think this is what Neil was saying. I don't think many building codes allow for balancing entire buildings on rounded rocks. Even if they did, finding a contractor willing to do that for you would be nearly impossible. The overall look and feel of a Japanese space can be accomplished fairly well however.

The Kannagara Jingu is a good example, as is the Stevenston Martial Arts Center outside of Vancouver BC.

Here is a link to "Aikido of Napa".

http://www.napaaikido.com/location_frameset.html

Scroll down to see the pictures.

This is one of the most beautiful Dojos I have ever seen. It is in Jones Sensei's back yard. It is surrounded by a Japanese Garden with tall Sequoia Trees on the East side. The Sliding doors come off on two sides so it is like working outdoors. Even in the Winter! Brrr.

I would love to have something like this in my backyard.


Britt Nichols

[Carlton]

Thank you all so very much for the insight. Indeed the mighty dollar is a definite setback.
It would perhaps take the effort of more than one or a national grant. I think the Japanese Garden in Washington park, here in Portland, was a gift from the City of Sapporo, as Portland and Sapporo are sister cities; I may be mistaken. The garden is indeed beautiful
The outstanding effort of the Wolfson brothers is very inspiring.
Perhaps interest from Japan would help fund such an effort. I think it would help in the promotion of Budo.
Could anyone enlighten me on how you would gain interest from Japan?
I'm curious.
Is it possible?

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by chrismoses
The Kannagara Jingu is a good example, as is the Stevenston Martial Arts Center outside of Vancouver BC.
Steveston MA Centre:

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Kusarigama
This is one of the most beautiful Dojos I have ever seen. It is in Jones Sensei's back yard. It is surrounded by a Japanese Garden with tall Sequoia Trees on the East side. The Sliding doors come off on two sides so it is like working outdoors.
Aikido of Napa:

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Matt Wolfson
My brother and I have built a japanese flavored dojo. It was built out of 75% salvaged matierals. It measures 23x 36 feet of work out area...We where able to do the project for under $7000.
The Wolfson dojo:

[Brian Owens]

I hope you find the pictures above to be inspiring.

With a lot of persistance and hard work, you can accomplish almost anything.

Good luck.

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Carlton
Perhaps interest from Japan would help fund such an effort. I think it would help in the promotion of Budo. Could anyone enlighten me on how you would gain interest from Japan? I'm curious. Is it possible?
I doubt you'd find much help from Japan. There is a thread here on E-Budo about the deterioration of the Yagyu home in Yagyu Village. Most people there just don't see the benefit of maintaining a traditional landmark of the Budo, let alone funding projects overseas.

More realistic would be to use found space while you build up your school's student base, then build a traditional dojo as a school project (much as small churches here sometimes go from meetings at the pastor's house to renting a storefront "church" and finally to building a small chapel).

[Carlton]

I found a pair of woodworking companies, that specialize in Traditional Japanese Architecture, located in sunny California.
Their websites are www.eastwindinc.com and www.kokorocountryhouses.com
An inquiry into the possibilities will be my next task. I'll be emailing them shortly.

[Chidokan]

if thats a river with trout and salmon outside that dojo, I am emigrating now as I have found heaven....;)
In the meantime I will put up with the nasty floors in my local school halls....until I get some cash for a visit to the 'budo homeland'....

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Carlton
...Their websites are www.eastwindinc.com and www.kokorocountryhouses.com
An inquiry into the possibilities will be my next task. I'll be emailing them shortly.
Hmm. Kokoro's web site didn't show me anything that just about any American builder couldn't do. It didn't even particularly say "Japanese" to me, although that's what they say they do.

Here is their idea of a genkan (Japanese entryway).

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by Yagyu Kenshi
...Here is their idea of a genkan (Japanese entryway).
The only thing there that says "Japanese" to me are the zori outside the door.

Eastwind, on the other hand, looks very Japanese to my Western eyes.

This is their version of a bedroom. Nice.

[Brian Owens]

The Nippon Business Institute at Everett Community College is just wrapping up phase three of their multi-year construction on their headquarters.

Tatami Room; Japanese Stroll Garden with waterfall and traditional three bridges (Wooden, Earthen, and Stone); Zen Rock/Sand Garden; Garden Wall and Gate; etc.

The work was done by several Seattle area builders/architects. If I can find more information or photos I'll post it here. (If all else fails I'll shot some pictures myself. I'll be starting classes there at the end of March.)

[StanLee]

Just saw the pictures on the two posted websites. OMG, I want to leave the confined spaces of London to a place where I can afford to build one of these houses!

Simply love the designs!:)

[Brian Owens]

Originally posted by StanLee
Just saw the pictures on the two posted websites. OMG, I want to leave the confined spaces of London to a place where I can afford to build one of these houses!

Simply love the designs!:)
Should I ever strike it rich, this is the home I'd like to buy:

Dream House (http://www.misawa-kinki.co.jp/3products/century/)

Tatami rooms, engawa, genkan, elevator (so I can get from the lower-level media room to the main-floor kichen and the upper-floor bedroom even when I'm old and wheelchair-bound).

This home was the main feature of the book The Japanese Dream House published by Kodansha.

[StanLee]

Very nice Brian. Very nice indeed!

[Carlton]

Misawa House was indeed beautiful. Whenever you strike it rich, perhaps you could give me a loan to buy one!

[Carlton]

Here is print by Hiroshi Yoshida titled "Farmhouse"