San Francisco Branch, USA / Jan 2003 Contributor: Dojo-cho Yoshiyuki Karahashi

The San Francisco Branch was established in February of 1979 by Yuji Harada (Junhanshi 6dan). Yuji Harada continues to teach in San Francisco, and has successfully fostered many students over the past quarter century.

The general population in the San Francisco area is very diverse, and the Kenshi at the San Francisco Branch reflects this diversity. The Kenshi come from many different backgrounds. The age range of the Kenshi is also very wide, from the young children to the persons with lot's of life experience. These all add to the fun of practice.

Annual events include a public demonstration during the spring "Cherryblossom Festival" in the local San Francisco Japan Town, as well as helping a Takoyaki food booth during this festival for the Sokoji Temple to raise funds for the Temple. The Sokoji Temple is a Soto Zen temple that the San Francisco Branch has been renting space for practice ever since the branch's start. Also, there usually is at least one BBQ party held, where all the kenshi and their families have a lot of fun.

 

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