Support a Martial Arts School and Owner

Save a Martial Arts School That Has Served the Community for 54 Years

My name is Masahiro (Hiro) Imafuji, and I am asking you for a favor. Please help me raise funds for Mr Young Park, who has served the community of Indianapolis for the last 54 years at his martial arts school, Mudokwan. I am in charge of his school’s kendo group.  

Mr Park teaches not only the discipline but also the joy of martial arts through training. Some members say that three generations of their family have trained with him at Mudokwan. You can imagine how greatly he has touched many lives through his martial arts school. 

The School is in Danger
Ever since the pandemic, membership of the school has decreased. As at October 2020, membership is half what it was at the beginning of this year. As a result, Mr Park’s income has also dropped by half. We are coming into winter, and a further drop in membership is expected. 

I would like to make sure that when everyone can safely return to practice their martial arts, this school will be open for them. These kids and many other members need a place to come back to.

These kids no longer train at the school because of COVID-19.

I haven’t seen our kendo members in person for some time. For the last 14 years, I have worked with them, sharing what I learned from my teachers. Many of our members travelled to Japan to experience what kendo was like over there. And I am sure that they appreciate having their own place to practice their art. This school is their dojo. 

I want to make sure they can continue to practice at this school, our dojo. It is a special place for all martial artists.

Kendo members that I haven’t seen for almost eight months

Mr Park’s Health is in Danger Too
At over 80 years old, Mr Park is in a high-risk category for COVID-19. To earn a living, he needs to keep his school open. But at the same time, I am really concerned about his health. As you know, there are many people who show no symptoms or mild symptoms of coronavirus. I am really worried someone could visit the school and unintentionally pass the virus on to Mr Park.  

The number of new cases of coronavirus is not decreasing at all in Indiana, and with the onset of winter, we have to worry about the flu virus too.

On October 9, 2020, we had 1,941 new cases in Indiana. As you can see, cases have been increasing. (The graph is from ISDH: https://www.coronavirus.in.gov/)

So, to earn a living, Mr Park needs to keep the school open, but if he does so, he increases the possibility of getting sick. If he gets sick, he needs to close the school anyway. 

It is a bad cycle. At the moment, all we can do is hope and pray that he doesn’t get sick.  

All funds raised here will go to support Mr Park, his family and the school. So eventually every student who practices Japanese martial arts at Mudokwan can benefit from it.

Mr Park doesn't know that I am doing this because if I told him, he would try to stop me.  But the situation is serious. Everyone is concerned about the rise in new coronavirus cases. We don't know for how long this situation will continue. 

Before it is too late, I would like Mr Park to know how much we care about him and the school and how important it is for us to protect him from getting the virus and prevent the school from shutting down. 

I would like to give the funds to him before the weather gets too cold. So, by the end of this month, I would like to achieve the goal of raising $20,000.

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope that you can help. 

Hiro