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[harukaze]

Hi all, I recall there being an Enshin Kaikan Dojo under Tomiyama Naohiro Sensei in San Francisco, but it seems like the dojo's website is down. Also, I didn't see the San Francisco dojo on the list of locations at the Enshin Kaikan homepage.

My question is, is the dojo still active? I've seen recent reviews for it on Yelp (!), but with the dojo website down and especially with a lack of a listing on the honbu dojo's homepage, I wonder if the Tomiyama Dojo is still an active and participatory Enshin Kaikan Dojo? I'm really interested in joining! Thanks for the help!

P.S. I know there's a World Oyama Dojo in San Francisco as well, but I think I'd rather join Enshin Kaikan (it's a long story, but nothing personal at all haha)

[medguy]

I think the Enshin dojo has moved to Japan town in SF, but I am not sure. Your best bet would be to email Honbu and ask Kancho directly. Hope this helps.

Osu

[harukaze]

Ah, that's a great suggestion! Didn't think of actually e-mailing honbu. Thanks!

[MilkManX]

Let us know. I have a bro in law in SF and he wanted to check out Enshin too.

[harukaze]

Well, I wrote to the honbu over the weekend asking about the SF dojo, and I still have yet to receive a reply. If/when I do, I'll update this thread for sure.

Otherwise, I'll just visit the dojo personally when I get to SF

[shurenkan]

Harukaze,

I will reach out to my old friends in SF. But I can tell you that less than a week ago I spoke with one of Sensei Tomiyama's students and he informed me that he is still teaching and as strong as ever. I honestly believe he is one of the best instructors around...very experienced and world class fighting skills.

Two of his students will be coming to the east coast in two weeks or so. I will find out definitively. However, the last time I visited him, when I was still a member of the organization, he was teaching in a Japanese School in the Japantown area. As far as I know, he is still there. The best bet is to go there and visit: 2031 Bush St
2nd Floor.

Good Luck.
Miguel Rios
Karatedo Shurenkan

[harukaze]

Hi Miguel,

Thank you very much for your efforts on my behalf! I really appreciate the help!

Osu!
-Ryan

[harukaze]

A quick update:

I was able to recently stop by the San Francisco branch dojo (finally)! I found the address on Yelp.com of all places, and paid a visit to the dojo, which is located at the following address:

Kinmon Gakuen
2031 Bush St. 2F (follow the sounds of kiai!)
San Francisco, CA 94115

I visited on a random weekday evening and was able to observe a children's class for a few minutes. Tomiyama Sensei was busy teaching so I didn't get a chance to speak with him, but I was able to copy down the Adults' Training Schedule:

Mondays 7:10 - 9 pm
Wednesdays 7:10 - 8:40 pm
Fridays 7:15 - 8:30 pm
Saturdays 1:30 - 3pm

When I get the chance, I'll stop by before one of these sessions to speak with Sensei and observe a session. Hopefully all goes well, I try my first class, and continue training here for good!

[Dent]

Osu!

Thank you for the informative post, Harukaze. Repped!

Osu!

[Angelslayer]

alright! glad you found it hope everything goes good for you

Osu!

[harukaze]

Thank you Dent and Angelslayer. Osu!

[GJEC]

Osu!

Sensei Tomiyama is a top man - very strong!

Good luck with your training!

Gary

[harukaze]

Originally Posted by GJEChamberlain

Osu!

Sensei Tomiyama is a top man - very strong!

Good luck with your training!

Gary

Thank you and

[smoothsake]

Slightly OT but there is also a World Oyama dojo in SF more on the west side of the peninsula. Didn't know there was an Enshin dojo in Japantown... that would have been cool to visit when I was up there a lot for work. I did spend some time in the Fairtex MT gym just south of Market not far from the Financial District. Osu

[harukaze]

Originally Posted by smoothsake

Slightly OT but there is also a World Oyama dojo in SF more on the west side of the peninsula. Didn't know there was an Enshin dojo in Japantown... that would have been cool to visit when I was up there a lot for work. I did spend some time in the Fairtex MT gym just south of Market not far from the Financial District. Osu

Thanks for the heads up! I'm aware of the World Oyama dojo, but to be frank I think I'm more interested in Enshin (that's not an insult to World Oyama, of course!).

I had trained at Fairtex before as well, but boy have they fallen off these past few years It's hard to find a good Muay Thai or BJJ gym around here that's not full of so-called "tough guys" or overly money-oriented. Of course, no offense intended in these remarks

[Kurisu]

MMA jocks are the worst! It's sad state of affairs in the world of martial arts these days, especially in the US.

[harukaze]

Originally Posted by Kurisu

MMA jocks are the worst! It's sad state of affairs in the world of martial arts these days, especially in the US.

Haha, thanks, I thought it was just me
I wouldn't be caught dead wearing a Tapout T-shirt in public!

[Dent]

Osu!

Ah, I was surprised in the grocery store today. Fella was out in his Affliction gear getting his fighter food, and eating fairly cleanly too. (Scoping out a shopping cart is good strategy. )

In spite of the clothing, and general appearance, he spoke to the person at the checkout politely, and bagged his own groceries too.

Unfortunately for guys like this, there is an element in MMA that thrives on loud-mouthed braggarts. This can be either cured or made worse by promoters. (Who in turn are motivated by ticket sales. Bit of the coliseum theory.)

Osu!

[harukaze]

Originally Posted by Dent

Osu!

Ah, I was surprised in the grocery store today. Fella was out in his Affliction gear getting his fighter food, and eating fairly cleanly too. (Scoping out a shopping cart is good strategy. )

In spite of the clothing, and general appearance, he spoke to the person at the checkout politely, and bagged his own groceries too.

Unfortunately for guys like this, there is an element in MMA that thrives on loud-mouthed braggarts. This can be either cured or made worse by promoters. (Who in turn are motivated by ticket sales. Bit of the coliseum theory.)

Osu!

A good point! Though in my experience, the chances of encountering a reasonable Affliction-wearer are fairly more common than a Tapout-wearer or (God forbid) a Warrior Wear-um, wearer!

Ah, I keed, I keed!

[MilkManX]

Glad to hear the SF Enshin dojo is still there!