Kin Tatsu Kai was formed in the late seventies as a Martial Arts School.

In addition to the usual classes and training expected of such a school, we were involved in a variety of community activities such as Boy Scout/Cub Scout demonstrations, a trip to see Kabuki dancers at the Arts Center in Clinton,
Martial Arts camp, and the creation of the Somerset County 4-H Karate Club. We also gave self defense and shiatsu (Japanese Massage) classes for Jointure for Community Adult Education and demonstrations for other community organizations.

In 1981 we participated in the Playboy Invitational Classic karate tournament at the Playboy Resort in New Vernon. At the invitation of Masters Alex Sternberg and Thomas La Puppet, we provided two judges for the event, black belt Martial Artists, Paul Sher and Paul Sher Jr. With 750 contestants, it was two full days of work and excitement.

The following year, we took stock of our efforts and decided that our Martial Arts school should expand its involvement with the community. The decision then was to form a cultural society that could offer programs that would expose the public to the various aspects of Asian culture. It continued as Kin Tatsu Kai and in December of '84 we became Kin Tatsu Kai inc, having registered with The New Jersey Secretary of State as a not-for-profit
corporation. The following year we received 501(c) tax-exempt status from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. The expected difficulty of associating the name with Asian culture, we decided to trade as "Japan Cultural Arts Society."

The Society's first event was held in conjunction with an American Chemical Society meeting. Bert Rinkel, an acupuncturist and owner of the Princeton Shiatsu Center, spoke on the topic "Traditional Chinese Medicine." We joined together once again with the ACS and presented, at one of their meetings, Dr. Kafrawy speaking on "Cotton." He had just returned from Japan where he lectured on that same topic. We followed up with an immense exhibit of Japanese antiques, including weaponry of the Ninja realm. Society activities blossomed in the eighties! We found ourselves immersed in many community events. Some highlights include:

In 1986, the Society participated in New Brunswick's "Sister Cities International Festival" celebrating that city's connection with Japan's cities of Fukui and Tsuruoka. We supplied Japanese items that were shown throughout the city at the Library, Henry House, and the New Brunswick
Cultural Center. In 1988, Rutgers University held an International Conference "Perspective on Japonisme." Again the Society came through with flags, books, and other items for the conference. A highlight was a visit from the then Prime Minister of Japan, Yasuhiro Nakasone. In 1989, we co-sponsored a magnificent Ninja Tai Kai Festival at RVCC, collaborating with Jack Hoban and Bujinkan International Dojo. More than 400 Ninja enthusiasts and instructors attended. Main instruction was given by Masaaki Hatsumi of Japan, 34th Grandmaster of Togakure Ryu Ninjutsu.

When you include support to or attendance at events such as a Diwali Banquet by the Indian Association of Somerset County; requests for help by Paramount Studios for "Black Rain" by location manager, Ken Haber and Producer Michael Douglas; cast request from K-M Productions for "Kabuki Man" (K-M also produced the "Toxic Avenger" series); Ki training workshop by Aikido Master, Shizuo Imaizumi;a Martial Arts camp in Glen Gardner; Library lectures, classes at RVCC;
lectures at women's clubs, a 4-H benefit karate tournament and demo; and more, you can see that the eighties was busy but exciting.

The change from "Japan Cultural Arts Society" to "Asian Cultural Arts Society" in 1990 was prompted by the tremendous support from people interested in other cultures besides Japanese. The 90's also were filled with new and exciting things to do. We co-sponsored with HHAPA, the
Holistic Health Association of the Princeton Area, in bringing Michio Kushi to New Jersey to lecture on Macrobiotics. This was the first endeavor with HHAPA. The same year we supplied Tai Chi, relaxation exercises, Martial Arts, and a writer's workshop to Omega Institute of Holistic Studies in Rhinebeck, N.Y.

One of the major events that enlarged the Society's commitment in the following year was television programming. We joined TKR TV as one of their independent producers and in June of 1991 we aired our first "Asian Culture in America" series of programs on TKR's Piscataway Community TV Center station. That program was "Kung Fu" presented by Andrew Schirmacher of the Wu Kung School.
Down the road we aired on Storer CableTV, Metuchen TV, Cablevision, and RCN TV, giving us of about 1.2 million potential viewers. Participation and support was given throughout the nineties to various organizations.

A benefit for the homeless was sponsored by Gentle
Healing Center at Middlesex County College, "Stand Down," another benefit for homeless veterans by the Middlesex County Dept of Human Services, a benefit by the Resource Center of Women and Their Families, Somerset Medical Center's S.A.I.L. program, Martial Arts events, Society
meetings with lectures and demonstrations on everything from Kundalini Yoga to Acupuncture, Asian concerts at RVCC, demonstrations at Kean College, classes at Drew University,AT&T, Colgate-Palmolive, Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies, Light Lines Holistic Center, Martial Arts schools.

The list is not endless, nor will it ever be. The Society continues it's efforts to bring understanding and acceptance to mainstream America of the various and diverse cultures of Asia.

 Founder Biography