In O-Sensei’s lectures, as many have seen in my previous writings, the circle is an important component. I remember the old Hombu Dojo in Shinjuku having a bronze mirror in the Tokonoma of the Kamiza. The round mirror represents the circle on the outside and the great void on its surface. It is present in … Continue reading The Traditional Dojo by Walther von Krenner
The following article is from Budoshin Jujitsu founder George Kriby. In it, he provides a biography of his jujitsu instructor Jack Seki. This article originally appeared on the Budoshin Jujitsu website. All images provided by George Kirby. Sanzo Jack Seki. Professor Sanzo Jack M. Seki, whose legal name was changed to Jack M. Haywood in … Continue reading Sanzo Jack Seki Biography by George Kirby
Starting kendo at the age of thirteen, Shawn Miller began something that would have a lasting effect on his life. A member of the San Francisco Kendo Dojo, Miller took some time to talk about his kendo journey and some San Francisco Kendo Dojo history that he was privy to. All images provided by Shawn … Continue reading Interview with San Francisco Kenshi Shawn Miller: The Personal Effects of Kendo
A martial artist for more than sixty years, Florian aikido George Clark discusses aikido seminars and one memorable event with Kisshomaru Ueshiba at the Aikido Center of Atlanta in 1974. All images provided by George Clark. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Welcome back Clark Sensei! Thank you for returning for another discussion on … Continue reading Interview with Florida Aikidoka George Kenneth Clark: Aikido and Seminars
Kiyota, Minoura. The Shambhala Guide to Kendo: An Essential Introduction to the Principles of the Japanese Art of Swordsmanship. Boston, Mass.: Shambhala Publications, 1995. After finishing Alexander Bennet’s Kendo: Culture of the Sword, I searched for another book that covered some of the same topics and themes. Finally, I came across professor Minoru Kiyota’s Kendo … Continue reading Reflecting on Shambhala’s Guide to Kendo
The following is an excerpt from my recent book, Aikido Comes to America. This originally appeared on Tambuli Media here. Rodney Grantham (~1928-2008) played a pivotal role in the push of aikido in the American Southeast. Grantham began judo in 1950 while stationed in Yokosuka, Japan as a surgical scrub nurse during the Korean War. … Continue reading Rodney Grantham and Aikido in America’s Southeast
This is a transcript of an interview with South Austin Aikido head instructor Jesse Spears in the spring of 2019. Here, we discuss the obstacles facing aikido in the United States. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Hello and welcome Spears Sensei! Thank you for taking the time to talk with us today! Jesse … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Jesse Spears: Obstacles Facing The Art of Peace in the United States
Garrett Matsumoto began training kendo at the age of seven at the behest of his parents, studying under the late Shigeo Yoshinaga. After taking a short break, he began training under Katsumi Yamada of Kenshikan Dojo. Presently, Matsumoto is the Chief Instructor of Kenshikan Dojo. Today, he took the time to discuss with us Shigeo … Continue reading Interview with Hawaiian Kenshi Garrett Matsumoto: The Kenshikan Kendo Dojo
John Clements began his journey into historical European martial arts to rediscover the historical basis of techniques and move sets found in Western fencing. In 1995, he took the helm of Hank Reinhardt's Historical Armed Combat Association (HACA) and then, in 2000, reconceived it into the Association of Renaissance Martial Arts (ARMA) and helped spearhead … Continue reading Interview with ARMA Director John Clements: Renaissance Martial Arts and HEMA
Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 