Preserving the Yoshinkan Tradition in Chicago: Charles Southern Remembers Robert Hackett and Gilbert James Part I
Charles Southern began studying Yoshinkan Aikido in 1982 while attending college after his sister told him about a class near her workplace. He began training under Robert Hackett and Gilbert James, two early Yoshinkan practitioners in Chicago, who had studied under Robert “Commander” Cramer and helped establish the Midwest Yoshinkan Aikido Association in the late…
The Hidden Gem: Unlocking a Veiled History
The recent biography of Shin-Budo Kai’s Shizuo Imaizumi, Aikido’s Hidden Gem, is not singular in nature – rather, the work is threefold in its purpose. Firstly, Aikido’s Hidden Gem serves as a life story of Imaizumi. Secondly, the biography showcases and illustrates the relationship between Imaizumi, Fumio Toyoda, and Shuji Maruyama within Ki Society. Thirdly,…
“It was real training”: Interview with Retired Aikidoka Donna Carlson
After many attempts from a friend to try out aikido, Donna Carlson finally stepped onto the mat when Koichi Tohei came to New York City in 1975. Though she only signed up for three days, she was immediately hooked and attended the rest of the week-and-a-half long seminar, bringing her friends and acquaintances over the…
“He Was The Sensei:” Training under Shizuo Imaizumi from John Zenkewich’s Perspective Part II
John Zenkewich was given a choice: train at the Aikikai in New York City to learn technique or train at the Ki Society to know how aikido is supposed to feel. After calling the dojo, Shizuo Imaizumi answered the phone, leading Zenkewich to become a lifelong student of Imaizumi. Joining in 1978, he witnessed the…
Follow My Blog
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.
