Ishikawa Judo Club

Our Club History

The Beginning

Established in September 1997 at the Deer Lake Dojo in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, our journey began with a simple yet profound vision: to introduce the art of Japanese Judo, steeped in the ethos of Bushido, to the local community. Our founders embarked on this mission with the aspiration of imparting not just the physical techniques of Judo but also its rich cultural heritage to children.

During those early days, serendipity led us to Kahoru Ishikawa Sensei, who, in addition to her practice as a Judo therapist, became an integral part of our club's story. Sensei Ishikawa brought with her a wealth of knowledge, having received instruction from esteemed mentors like Sensei Masako Noritomi, a pioneer in women's Judo and a disciple of Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo. Inspired by Sensei Ishikawa's dedication, our dojo underwent a transformation, leading to the renaming of our club to the Ishikawa Family Judo Club.

In 2004, we expanded our horizons by establishing a dojo at the Nikkei Center, marking a significant milestone in our journey. Through the years, we've been fortunate to receive invaluable guidance and support from numerous black belts from Japan, whose mentorship has enriched our practice.

The year 2007 saw the opening of the Dunbar Community Center Dojo, made possible through the generous contributions of judo mats and support from the VPD Police Judo Club. We express our heartfelt gratitude to them for their assistance.

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, we remained resilient, finding solace in returning to practice at both the Nikkei Center Dojo and the Kerrisdale Community Center Dojo in 2023. We are particularly thankful for the donation of roll mats at the Nikkei Center Dojo by Ken and Audrey, which has enabled us to practice judo safely.

As we reflect on our journey, we remain committed to upholding the spirit of Judo, fostering a welcoming environment for all practitioners, and continuing to promote the values of camaraderie, discipline, and respect both on and off the tatami.