OCTOBER TARGET FREE FAMILY SATURDAY'S THEME 'JUST FOR KICKS' FEATURES MARTIAL ARTS

Martial arts demonstrations and instruction will be among the many activities available at the Japanese American National Museum as part of its regular series, Target Free Family Saturday, with the theme, "Just for Kicks!", set for Saturday, October 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

Among the activities scheduled for specific times is hands-on fun with inflatable sumo suits. Participants can challenge each other for supremacy in this derivation of Japan’s national sport. This part of the program is available from 12 noon to 2 p.m.

At 12:30 p.m., a beginners' karate class will be held, limited to 25 children (first come, first served). The class will be taught by Grandmaster Hirakawa who founded Tenshin-Kai in 1994. Grandmaster Hirakawa has an extensive knowledge of the martial arts, including Dan rankings in karate, aikido, judo, iaido and weaponry. His studies in the martial arts span more than 30 years and include over 23 years of teaching in the United States, including his certification as a tai-chi master. For more information about Tenshin-Kai, visit tenshin-kai.com/.

Tenshin-Kai will also provide a beginners' tai-chi class at 2:30 p.m. Again, space is limited to 25 children, first come, first served.

At 3 p.m., the Aikido Center of Los Angeles will provide an iaido and aikido demonstration. The Aikido Center of Los Angeles Dojo was established in 1974 by Reverend Kensho Furuya, Aikido 6th Dan and Iaido 6th Dan Kyoshi. Furuya Sensei was a direct student of the late Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba and trained at the Aikido World Headquarters Hombu Dojo in 1969. The dojo is also the Headquarters for the Los Angeles Sword and Swordsmanship Society, which is dedicated to the study of Japanese swords and the discipline of Japanese swordsmanship, Muso Shinden Ryu Iaido and Toyama Ryu Iaido. For more information about the Aikido Center of Los Angeles, visit: www.aikidocenterla.com/.

Between 12 noon and 4 p.m., the Martial Arts History Museum will give demonstrations and even provide a Hollywood stunt show as a way to convey the story of the martial arts. The Martial Arts History Museum is an educational facility designed to inform children and visitors about the history, art, culture and music surrounding Asian forms of martial arts. The museum creates a bridge between Eastern and Western cultures and examines how Asian traditions became part of American history and how it continues to influences our films, animation and everyday life. For more information about Martial Arts Museum, visit www.martialartsmuseum.com/.

From 1 to 4 p.m., Kidding Around the Kitchen will be helping the martial artist to chop up a rainbow of assorted veggies with a delicious homemade dip to fuel the young martial arts heroes with some kung food dippers. Kidding Around the Kitchen is for families that have full plates in life as well as wanting a full plate of food to enjoy together. It's about time well spent. You'll see your kids get a "we did it attitude!!" This family food demo works on the try it premises all while empowering the kids and family. For more information on Kidding Around The Kitchen, visit: www.kiddingaroundthekitchen.com/.

Among the activities taking place throughout the day are materials for decorating photo frames, building action figures out of clay, and Ruthie’s Origami Corner featuring instructions on making a karate action figure out of paper. Also, the Martial Arts History Museum will present a photographic history of the martial arts.

Generously sponsored by Target, these special free Saturdays are filled with fun activities giving families unique ways to learn, play, and grow together. The National Museum organizes eight different second Saturdays each year, thanks to Target.