Margaret White Kolden's Visit to Shotojuku Dojo

Shotojuku Dojo • July 7, 2009

Margaret White Kolden visited the Shotojuku Dojo on July 7, 2009. This was her first visit to Shihan Leung in almost two decades. Margaret White was one of the first students to enroll at the newly open Astoria Shibu Dojo in 1982.

Shihan Leung with Margaret White ... now and then!



Margaret White Kolden competing in the early 80's



Master Toyotaro Miyazaki and Shihan Kai Leung had just opened the Dojo when she joined. Margaret had great fighting spirit and became known as one of Shihan Leung's top students. Margaret was very tough and follow the Japanese phrase Nana korobi ya oki fall down seven times and get up eight. When class was a little rough she would never cry or give up. She would have been Shihan Leung's first female Black Belt had she not moved from New York.


Shihan Kai Leung with Margaret White Kolden in 1983


Shihan Kai Leung with Margaret White Kolden and Robert Vogt in 1986


Shihan Kai Leung with senior students Lucy Lora, Elliott Rosenblatt and Margaret White Kolden in 2009

Margaret greatly contributed to the success of the Astoria Shibu Dojo now known as Shotojuku and after all these years she is still an important part of our Karate heritage.