Month: November 2020

Interview with Longtime Hawaiian Kenshi Braxton Fukutomi: Continuing His Family’s Legacy

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Hailing from a multigenerational kendo family, Braxton Fukutomi began training in the art at the age of four. As he progressed through kendo, Fukutomi became the head instructor of the Aiea Taiheiji Kendo Club, while his mother continues to run the Waipahu Seibukan Kendo Club. At the Aiea Taiheiji kendo Club, Fukutomi tries to develop … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Hawaiian Kenshi Braxton Fukutomi: Continuing His Family’s Legacy

Positioning: Between You and Your Partner

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I was recently left without the use of my eyes for a few days, and boy was it frustrating. I could not enjoy reading, watching television, or the multitude of activities that we use our eyes for. While I slowly moved around the home, trying to find the refrigerator for something to eat, or navigating … Continue reading Positioning: Between You and Your Partner

Reflecting on John Steven’s Abundant Peace

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Stevens, John. Abundant Peace: The Biography of Morihei Ueshiba, Founder of Aikido. Boston: Shambhala, 1987. The prolific aikido author John Stevens published his Abundant Peace in 1987, initially becoming one of the only sources of information outside of Aikido Journal on the art’s founder, Morihei Ueshiba, at the time. It provided many Western practitioners a … Continue reading Reflecting on John Steven’s Abundant Peace

Interview with USAF Technical Committee Member Claude Berthiaume: His Aikido Journey

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Beginning his aikido training in 1971, Claude Berthiaume had the opportunity to train and forge connections with Yoshimitsu Yamada and Mitsunari Kanai. Since then, he has helped grow and facilitate the United States Aikido Federation. Today, we had the opportunity to speak with Berthiaume about how he got started in aikido. Martial Arts of Yesterday, … Continue reading Interview with USAF Technical Committee Member Claude Berthiaume: His Aikido Journey

Interview with Army Sergeant Harry Gill: Army Combatives

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Harry Gill entered military service in 2007 and has taken some time to discuss Army combatives and mindset both in the military and in civilian life. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Welcome Sergeant Gill and thank you for taking some time to talk with us! Harry Gill: Thank you for inviting me! MAYTT: … Continue reading Interview with Army Sergeant Harry Gill: Army Combatives

Interview with Longtime Kenshi Kenneth Strawn: Starting From Scratch

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Kenneth Strawn found kendo while he was in college, training under the American pioneer Benjamin Hazard. Between 1984 and 1986, he helped grow the Obukan Kendo Club. He returned to his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, quickly establishing his Charlotte Kendo Club and helped form the Southeastern United States Kendo Federation in 1988. Today, we … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kenshi Kenneth Strawn: Starting From Scratch

Reflecting on Rod Nobuto Omoto’s Autobiography

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Omoto, Rod. ‎Autobiography of Rod Omoto, 2015. https://books.apple.com/ar/book/autobiography-of-rod-omoto/id883795766. As I started this adventure into Nobuto “Rod” Omoto’s life, I thought I would be learning more about his time in the Pacific Northwest and his adventures there. However, I was surprised to take part in another adventure, years before he stepped foot into the region. From … Continue reading Reflecting on Rod Nobuto Omoto’s Autobiography

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Michael Aloia: The Art of Harmony in America

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This is a transcript of an interview with Asahikan Dojo head instructor Michael Aloia in the spring of 2019. Here, we discuss the current state of aikido in the United States. All images provided by Michael Aloia. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Welcome and thank you for taking the time to talk with … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Michael Aloia: The Art of Harmony in America

Interview with Tambuli Media Founder Mark Wiley: Publishing Martial Art and Wellness Books Today

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Mark Wiley began Tambuli Media with the purpose of providing the public with mind-body practices, including martial arts. Additionally, he has spent many years in the martial arts, authoring fifteen books, including five on Filipino martial arts. Today, Wiley took some time to talk about Tambuli Media and the publishing house’s first feature film, Made … Continue reading Interview with Tambuli Media Founder Mark Wiley: Publishing Martial Art and Wellness Books Today