I met Hiroko Mori, at Sun Oaks Gym four years ago... She was on the way to her Kendo Class, wearing her Hakamas and carrying her Shinai sword; there was a grace and strength about her that I had never seen before. I was drawn to Hiroko like a magnet, and from that moment on she became my Sensei, my teacher, and my dear friend... I've been wanting to photograph her since we met, but finally in celabration of her birthday this year, we made it happen... Here is a little background on a most amazing warrior woman.
Hiroko Mori was born and raised in Fukuoka, a south-western region of Japan where she and her family are descendants of Samurai. As a young mother of three, she moved to Redding, California in 1984, where she found a Shotokan Karate Dojo (Japanese traditional style) which she felt an immedtiate connection with. Hiroko, has been training in Shotokan Karate now for 26 years, and teaching Karate for 24 years. She holds the rank of 4th degree black belt (5th degree being the highest achievable in Shotokan Karate of America). Hiroko has trained in Jujitsu for 3 years, and has been taking Kendo (Japanese Fencing) for 8 years.
Hiroko has taught self-defense to hundreds of women all over the country. She also has been a Japanese language teacher at Shasta College in Redding for 15 years. Over 1400 students have taken part in her popular class.
Hiroko will be celebrating her 60th birthday next year. She is a mother of 3 and has been married to her college sweetheart, who is also Japanese, for 35 years.
Hiroko, started Karate as a way to defend herself and her family, but it has become a 26 year running passion! Her strong Samurai spirit and pride can be felt by all those lucky enough to benefit from her training. She is an incredible inspiration to all her students! She currently is teaching Shotokan Karate at Sun Oaks Fitness Club and continues to teach Japanese at Shasta College in Redding CA.























