November 26, 2002

BOISE STATE STUDENTS HELP DESIGN NEW KARATE DOJO

Students in Tetsuya Ehara’s Japanese 102 class at Boise State University have helped design a new karate dojo to authentically reflect Japanese culture. Through their service-learning experience, the students researched Japanese culture and traditional Japanese dojos. They then transformed a bland studio by adding authentic Japanese artifacts and painting traditional characters on the walls.

The students have also spent time interacting with younger dojo karate students. These younger students perform at community events to help the Treasure Valley better understand and appreciate Japanese culture. Both the younger students and their university counterparts learn about other cultures, diversity principles and civic involvement.

The dojo’s grand opening will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at 2404 S. Orchard St. in Boise. The dojo is a family-oriented school where parents and students are involved in making a difference in the community with a focus on respect, discipline and relationship building. Sensei Pone Inthathirath, the instructor, stresses to his students good citizenship, role modeling integrity and inclusion of all people.

Service-learning encourages students to apply what they learn in class to real-life community needs. Boise State currently offers more than 30 service-learning classes per semester in which approximately 300 students serve the community while gaining hands-on experience.

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Tetsuya Ehara 
Japanese instructor
426-2622

Kara Hartmann 
Service learning coordinator 
426-2380

Cindy Clark
Parent of dojo participant
426-3589

Kathleen Craven

Boise State communications and marketing

426-3275