Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
An Independent Archive of American Martial Arts History
Shizuo Imaizumi played an influential role in the development of aikido in the United States, but how much do we really know about the man behind the name? From his formative years in Japan to his decades in American aikido, Imaizumi’s story contains plenty of details that are easy to overlook. Here are five things … Continue reading 5 Things You May Not Have Known About Shizuo Imaizumi
Embodied Knowledge and Functional Pragmatism The Nine-State Martial Model becomes practically meaningful when its conceptual distinctions are translated into embodied capacities. Its purpose in practice is not simply to enable practitioners to identify the Nine States but to develop greater sensitivity to the conditions through which force capability is expressed and regulated. The central practical … Continue reading Force in Martial Practice: Capability, Expression, and Regulation by Michael Martin, Part II
Introduction Martial arts have traditionally been classified through technique, strategy, lineage, cultural origin, philosophical orientation, or preferred methods of combat. Systems are commonly distinguished as striking or grappling, internal or external, hard or soft, or sportive or combative. Such classifications remain useful for describing martial traditions and practices, but they provide less insight into how … Continue reading Force in Martial Practice: Capability, Expression, and Regulation by Michael Martin, Part I
With the passing of Nobuyoshi Tamura in Europe, many aikidoka searched for a new teacher. It just so happened that Yoshimitsu Yamada offered to send Donovan Waite to Hungary. From that first moment, Péter Békési was hooked. Focusing on Waite as a person, Békési provides a different perspective of the late aikido instructor. Martial Arts … Continue reading “He Played with Timing and Distance:” Kokoro Aikido Budapest Instructor Péter Békési on Donovan Waite’s Impression
When he first saw Fumio Toyoda lead a two-week seminar in Sofia, Bulgaria, Toshko Getov felt something inside of him that made him know that he found his teacher. Excited, Getov volunteered to Toyoda’s uke and remained his Bulgarian uke until the latter’s passing. Enamored and ultimately influenced by Toyoda’s approach to technique, teaching, martial … Continue reading “Take a Deep Breath:” Shiseikan Dojo Founder Toshko Getov Talks About Fumio Toyoda in Bulgaria
David Fultz began studying Judo in 1968 at the University of Chicago Judo Club, where he trained under Dr. Paul Harper and Barry Brunsden. In January 1975, Fultz began studying Aikido with John Eley at the University of Chicago Aikido Club. He remained with Eley for twenty-seven years, serving as his second in command and … Continue reading “Relax Completely Means Relax Completely:” David Fultz Remembers John Eley and the Early Years of Ki Society Aikido Part II
David Fultz began studying Judo in 1968 at the University of Chicago Judo Club, where he trained under Dr. Paul Harper and Barry Brunsden. In January 1975, Fultz began studying Aikido with John Eley at the University of Chicago Aikido Club. He remained with Eley for twenty-seven years, serving as his second in command and … Continue reading “Relax Completely Means Relax Completely:” David Fultz Remembers John Eley and the Early Years of Ki Society Aikido 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 … Continue reading Preserving the Yoshinkan Tradition in Chicago: Charles Southern Remembers Robert Hackett and Gilbert James Part II
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 … Continue reading Preserving the Yoshinkan Tradition in Chicago: Charles Southern Remembers Robert Hackett and Gilbert James Part I
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, … Continue reading The Hidden Gem: Unlocking a Veiled History
