Tohkon Judo Academy

Tohkon Judo Academy on W Devon Ave

Tohkon Judo Academy operates out of the Japanese American Service Committee building at 5409 W Devon Ave on Chicago's far Northwest Side near the Edgebrook and Norwood Park border, a non-profit dojo that has taught Kodokan-style judo for more than three decades. The school takes its name from the Japanese concept of "fighting spirit."

Kids Martial Arts Programs

Kids classes are organized into a Juniors program scaled by experience and age, built on traditional Japanese judo as codified by Jigoro Kano:
- Fundamentals start with safe ukemi (learning to fall without injury) before partner throws
- Standard throw catalog: osoto-gari, ouchi-gari, seoi-nage, harai-goshi, tai-otoshi
- Ne-waza pins, escapes, and basic submissions for the age group
- Etiquette and respect (rei) framing every class

What's Included

• Non-profit dojo housed inside JASC, a Japanese-American cultural and service institution
• Intentional cultural context: bowing protocols and Japanese dojo terminology
• Lineage from Kano through the Kodokan to modern competition judo
• Visiting and trial classes arranged by phone or website
• Proper gi (judogi) required once committed to ongoing training

Experience

Because Tohkon is housed inside JASC, the school is unusually intentional about the cultural context of judo, not just the throws and groundwork. Classes attract families from Edgebrook, Norwood Park, Sauganash, Forest Glen, Lincolnwood, and Park Ridge. The non-profit, culturally grounded approach suits families who want traditional Kodokan judo with strong emphasis on etiquette, respect, and heritage alongside technical skill.