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Building the new dojo!

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:42 pm
by 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_albu ... me=album19

Looks Great

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:18 pm
by 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. :lol:

Hey Kevin..

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:27 pm
by 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.

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:30 pm
by Stryke
Great looking place George !! congrats !!

Posted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 11:37 pm
by 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.

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 4:25 am
by Rick Wilson
Best of luck George!!!

Posted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 5:55 am
by 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_ 8)

The new Shubukan. :wink:

Posted: Sun Feb 05, 2006 11:37 pm
by Guest
Where did you get the bamboo for the wall?

Looks great.

F.

Interior..

Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:15 am
by 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.
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Oh yes,

Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:16 am
by gmattson
bamboo came from Lowell's gardening section. Plus we will be using heavy bamboo sections to frame sections of the wall and corners.

Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 3:28 am
by Van Canna
Looks fantastic. :D

3rd paint job completed..

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 1:12 pm
by gmattson
Believe we got the color right this time:

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View from the Mall. . .

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Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 3:55 pm
by CANDANeh
nice color and you can do a lot with the windows to attract attention

Waiting for

Posted: Fri Feb 10, 2006 4:23 pm
by 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. :)

Almost finished!!!

Posted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:15 pm
by 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.
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Front view with the frames partially opened:
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One of the many gifts from China guests over the years. This picture looks beautiful in our new dojo.
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Here is a current view of the dojo. Still waiting for the mats, which are due in April 28th.
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And finally, here is our new window sign:
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