Little tigers
Ages 5–7, 45 minutes, games that hide stances and listening drills.
Martial arts school · Portland
Discipline without yelling.
Ironwood Dojo teaches shotokan karate and judo fundamentals for ages five through adult. Classes cap at sixteen students, instructors bow with you, and promotion tests are scheduled months in advance with a printed syllabus so families know exactly which kata is next.
Belt progression
- 01
White to yellow
Eight weeks, basic blocks, dojo etiquette and ten-count bow sequence. Parents receive a take-home sheet listing Japanese terms used in class.
- 02
Yellow to green
Six months, five heian kata, kumite with control gear. Sparring gear is sold at cost through the front desk.
- 03
Green to brown
One year, bunkai drills and tournament optional. Coaches schedule mock tournaments before regional events.
- 04
Black belt track
Invitation after brown; includes teaching assistant hours and a written essay on dojo values.
Class types
Youth karate
Ages 8–14, full kata curriculum and controlled sparring Fridays.
Adult judo
Tuesdays and Thursdays, ukemi falls taught on crash mats first.
Women's self-defense
Monthly workshop, boundary setting and simple escapes, no ego. Open to members and non-members; registration opens on the first of each month.
Kata library
Video kiosk in the lobby replays exam kata slowly with English callouts so students can practice footwork at home without guessing.
Dojo numbers
- Black belt instructors
- 3
- Max students per class
- 16
- Years on Hawthorne
- 28
- Tatami rooms
- 2
Sensei
- Ren TanakaHead instructor, 5th dan
- Morgan LeeJudo coach
- Aisha RahmanYouth program lead
- David ChoAssistant instructor, brown belt
Families
“My daughter finally understands that bowing is respect, not performance — the printed syllabus made promotion tests predictable.”
“Adult judo on Tuesdays is the only class where I leave without checking email on the mat.”
Initials only.
Trial class
What do we wear?
Loose athletic clothes for trial; dogi available for purchase after enrollment.
Is sparring required?
Not until green belt, and always with mouthguard and control gear.
Can parents watch class?
Yes from the mezzanine benches; we ask for quiet so kids can focus on instructions and bow sequences.
How often are belt tests?
Quarterly for color belts with a printed syllabus mailed home two weeks before testing week.
Do you compete in tournaments?
Optional regional tournaments for green belt and above; coaches travel with teams twice per year and handle registration paperwork for parents.
Is there a spectator policy?
Quiet observation is welcome from the benches; phones on silent and no coaching from the sidelines during class. Strollers may be parked in the lobby rack.
Schedule a trial
4020 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR (fictional)
- Mon–Fri 16:00–20:30
- Sat 09:00–12:00
+1 503 555 0168