Strengthening the Mind and Body,
Using the Gentle Way
LONG BEACH JUDO DOJO
Located in the Long Beach Japanese Cultural Center
(formerly Harbor District Japanese Community Center)
1766 Seabright Avenue
Long Beach, California 90810 (map)
P.O. Box 9188
Long Beach, California 90810 (562) 426-3246
SCHEDULE
Judo Practice
Tuesdays: 7pm – 9pm
Fridays: 7pm – 9pm
The dojo operates from January to November with time off during summer months.
Parents Meeting
2nd Friday of every month
About the Dojo
Masaaki Nakaoka established Long Beach Judo in 1950 where he instructed until his retirement in 1987.
The dojo is now under the instruction of Craig Takeshita (6th dan) who is dedicated to teaching the fundamentals of judo while giving students an activity that builds their bodies and minds. We have maintained traditional standards in hopes to preserve the respect and values taught to us.
Long Beach Judo is a non-profit organization that utilizes student fees
and city grants to meet our community obligations of hosting clinics, offering judo tuition scholarships, and making monetary donations to various organizations.
QUARTERLY FEES
Students are responsible for tuition fees for every quarter that the dojo is open, regardless of attendance. Individual: $120
Two family members: $180
Three or more: $210
SCHOLARSHIPS
The dojo offers scholarship opportunities to at-risk youth, referred by a member of Long Beach Judo, and who demonstrates both need and potential. Please contact one of our judo parents or Takeshita Sensei for more information.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Students practice on judo mats called tatami where the first technique they learn is ukemi—how to fall correctly.
PROMOTIONS
The judo ranking system represents a progression of learning with corresponding belts indicating an individuals level of proficiency.
Student’s are graded on their participation in practice and performance at local tournaments.
A tournament schedule is shared at the beginning of each new year.
JUDO RANKS
White – Novice
Orange/Green – Youth
Blue/Purple – Intermediate
Brown (3 grades)
- Sankyu – 3rd and Lowest Grade
- Nikyu – 2nd Grade
- ikkyu – 1st Grade
Black (10 Degrees)
Earning a black belt is like graduating from high school or college. It indicates you have achieved a basic level of proficiency, learned the fundamental skills, and can perform them in a functional manner.
When the student demonstrates they can perform certain techniques and katas, they will earn the rank of shodan (black belt 1st degree).