The history of the name of our dojo was passed down to me by Sensei JoAnn, and like she is the vessel which is our base for knowledge & wisdom in our art forms, I am the vessel which has captured her wisdom, words, & teachings. I humbly and respectfully pass them on to you the reader...

     Originally Sensei JoAnn was going name her dojo Yanagi, Take, Senta which would be known in English as Willow & Bamboo Spirituality & Martial Arts Center. However, when Sensei JoAnn sent her kanji of the name of her dojo to her beloved teacher of 25 years, she got an unexpected surprise. Her teacher unexpectedly and masterfully mended her kanji to read instead: Yanagi, Taki, Senta. Now, this to a person who reads this might miss the difference and to those who do see the difference one letter might not mean much in the English language, however with this one letter changed it became a whole new meaning. Our dojo’s emblem:

     The new kanji had become a completely new meaning and actually now told a story. The literal sense, of the new words, mean little dragon under the waterfall. The story in our emblem shows a smaller then normal dragon becoming a vessel, a vessel which is accessible to retain and pass on the teachings of her masters. What the little dragon lacks in size, she more then makes up for in persistence, wisdom, & grace. This little dragon is one with the flow and calm of the lake, but not be mistaken has the full strength of the great waterfall within at her command. She is one, not only with the water, but also the plants and trees. She is especially one with the willow and bamboo, for it is the willow which gives her flexibility and the bamboo which gives her, her strength and discipline. She is also one with all the animals, not to be mistaken as she commands them, but she is of their equal as they are of hers, this includes even humans...