Building the new dojo!

[gmattson]

This has to be my tenth dojo. All required lots of remodeling, although this one was in the best shape to start. We are in the final stages of painting and decorating, which actually is kind of fun compared with the construction part.

Since I get lots of visitors during the year and now I'll have a formal place to teach and entertain, I created a new photo gallery to document the dojo's history. Hope you will check it out.

http://gallery2.uechi-ryu.com/view_album.php?&set_albumName=album19

[Kevin Guse]

The Dojo looks like you guys have been putting in some hours. Hope the next visit we can have a class of athleticism improvement in the new place. Did you get the mats in for the floor? If so how is it working out? Tell Tim and the gang I said hi.

Nice pictures. I thought for sure I might have broken your camera.

[gmattson]

Tia is sleeping in your bed as I write this! I believe she misses you.

Did you tell your fiancée about her?

The Mats won't be here for another couple weeks. They are on a slo boat from China! For real.

[Stryke]

Great looking place George !! congrats !!

[Kevin Guse]

Not sure if she misses me or just happy to have her bed back to her self.Ha Yes, I told Alisha about Tia. We thought we better wait to have a place of our own before we get a four legged friend.

I have to get going but I'll email you tonight or tomorrow. I spoke with Ben Brittenham (My friend from the DVD) He is very interested to talk to you about the product production and advertising.

[Rick Wilson]

Best of luck George!!!

[Van Canna]

Nice place George. I like the mall location.

Do you have any windows? Room for bag, makiwara, implements as we used to have at our beloved Hancock street Mattson Academy?

Best color for the walls etc. is a pale yellow_

The new Shubukan.

[Guest]

Where did you get the bamboo for the wall?

Looks great.

F.

[gmattson]

We have space for a heavy bag and perhaps some training implements. But with a 20'X50' dojo area, I want to keep the space as open and uncluttered as possible. Here are some pictures of the mats coming from my supplier in China. Soft enough to break a fall, yet firm enough for karate workouts. We plan to design 2 rings, using red mats, surrounded by blue.

[gmattson]

bamboo came from Lowell's gardening section. Plus we will be using heavy bamboo sections to frame sections of the wall and corners.

[Van Canna]

Looks fantastic.

[gmattson]

Believe we got the color right this time:





View from the Mall. . .

[CANDANeh]

nice color and you can do a lot with the windows to attract attention

[gmattson]

a sign and window painter. Meanwhile, I've hung paper signs in window and put together a brochure holder by the door. Got three calls this week.

[gmattson]

I came up with the idea to hang Ihor's charts on the wall, using a series of interconnecting frames that can be opened to different "pages". This requires minimum space, yet allows a student to select the kata or drill they wish to work on by opening a frame. My neibor built it for around $100 in materials.


Front view with the frames partially opened:


One of the many gifts from China guests over the years. This picture looks beautiful in our new dojo.


Here is a current view of the dojo. Still waiting for the mats, which are due in April 28th.


And finally, here is our new window sign: