Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
An Independent Archive of American Martial Arts 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, … Continue reading The Hidden Gem: Unlocking a Veiled History
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 … Continue reading “It was real training”: Interview with Retired Aikidoka Donna Carlson
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 … Continue reading “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 … Continue reading “He Was The Sensei:” Training under Shizuo Imaizumi from John Zenkewich’s Perspective Part I
I recently read two interviews that discussed what some would consider to be mainstays within the current aikido mindset and both interviews concluded with a similar sentiment regarding the future of the art: that is, “everyone needs to unite around the common message, goal, purpose, or understanding of aikido in order to become confident of … Continue reading Aikido’s Purpose in the Modern World
A.A. Kadochnikov. Some of you may remember the old Western cowboy television series with a masked man and his Indian sidekick where at the end of a show someone would ask as the pair rode-off, “Who is that masked man?” The answer was, “Well, he’s the Lone Ranger!” Many of us had the same question … Continue reading Hand-to-Hand Combat Training in Krasnodar, Russia with A.A. Kadochnikov by Michael Martin
After training in karate for the better part of two decades, Garry Howard came across Steven Seagal’s film Above the Law. Through a series of events stemming from a complimentary phone call, Howard found himself in front of the man himself and secured consistent instruction from Haruo Matsuoka, who made an annual trip to the … Continue reading Interview with American Aikido Institute Founder Garry Howard: Growing with Haruo Matsuoka Part II
After training in karate for the better part of two decades, Garry Howard came across Steven Seagal’s film Above the Law. Through a series of events stemming from a complimentary phone call, Howard found himself in front of the man himself and secured consistent instruction from Haruo Matsuoka, who made an annual trip to the … Continue reading Interview with American Aikido Institute Founder Garry Howard: Growing with Haruo Matsuoka Part I
Connor Wood first started learning to sword fight when he was a child and that ultimately led him to join the Society for Creative Anachronism. In pursuing the historical sources, he soon crossed over in Historical European Martial Arts and saw a myriad of overlaps between the two movements. Today, Wood discusses the evolution of … Continue reading Interview with Historical Fencer Connor Wood: Between HEMA and the SCA Part II
Connor Wood first started learning to sword fight when he was a child and that ultimately led him to join the Society for Creative Anachronism. In pursuing the historical sources, he soon crossed over in Historical European Martial Arts and saw a myriad of overlaps between the two movements. Today, Wood discusses the evolution of … Continue reading Interview with Historical Fencer Connor Wood: Between HEMA and the SCA Part I
