11th Street Dojo

"11th Street Dojo" is the Dojo building that contains both Aikido & Alliance BJJ. We started as "Skidrow Dojo" in the back of a photo studio on Sixth Street in San Francisco February 1986. A group of artists & Punks asked Jimmy Friedman AKA; "Jim Bone" to teach them self-defense shortly after the violent murder of a loved one. Classes began in the shadow of tragedy, and Aikido in a small way helped heal the suffering these people were going through. Beginning as a club for that group of around ten friends, the dojo soon outgrew the Sixth Street studio and relocated to 759 Harrison Street in San francisco, California where it remained for three years. In 1989 we moved to 57B Stillman Street were we remained until 1999. In 1999 we moved to 141 11th Street. Since 1986 the Dojo has hosted many of the world's highest ranking Aikido instructors, including Kato Hiroshi Sensei, Christian Tissier Sensei, Nishio Sensei, Anno Sensei, P. Hendricks Sensei, Sugawara Sensei, Terry Dobson Sensei, K. Cottier Sensei. After the 1989, San Franicisco earthquake, James moved the dojo a few blocks away to 57 Stillman Street, and it stayed at that location for ten years. In 1995 Kato Hiroshi Sensei was welcomed to San Francisco, and shortly thereafter "Skidrow Dojo" was renamed Suginami Akikai SF. Our present and final location at 141 11th street, between Mission and Howard streets, San Francisco, California. 11th Street Dojo has a live-in student (Uchi-Deshi) program. Applicants must have a least 6 months experience in Aikido or BJJ. And have been a member of 11th Street Dojo for over 6 months. 11th Street Dojo, is directly Affiliated to Hombu Dojo Tokyo, under the direction of Christian Tissier Shihan 8th dan.