Interview with Sakurakan Dojo Chief Instructor David O’Callaghan: Expanding Judo in Washington, Part I

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What follows are the transcripts of an interview with Sakurakan Dojo president David O’Callaghan from the summer of 2019 for one of my graduate projects. In this interview, O’Callaghan talks about how he runs his school and how it interacts with the larger community in Sumner, Washington. This is the first part of a two … Continue reading Interview with Sakurakan Dojo Chief Instructor David O’Callaghan: Expanding Judo in Washington, Part I

Interview with HDKI Founder Scott Langley: Getting on with Karate, Part II

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Scott Langley first started jujutsu at the age of five. After a move to North Yorkshire, he started karate. During that time, he found an interview with Frank Brennan relating his decision to become a full-time karate instructor. In reading that interview, Langley knew that was what he wanted to do and set himself on … Continue reading Interview with HDKI Founder Scott Langley: Getting on with Karate, Part II

Interview with HDKI Founder Scott Langley: Getting on with Karate, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Scott Langley first started jujutsu at the age of five. After a move to North Yorkshire, he started karate. During that time, he found an interview with Frank Brennan relating his decision to become a full-time karate instructor. In reading that interview, Langley knew that was what he wanted to do and set himself on … Continue reading Interview with HDKI Founder Scott Langley: Getting on with Karate, Part I

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Bob Toabe: Training Under Mitsunari Kanai, Part II

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In 1974, Bob Toabe stepped onto the mats of Shodokan to learn aikido under Fred Newcomb. Mitsunari Kanai, Newcomb’s instructor and New England Aikikai founder, made the trip on the last Friday of each month to teach. When Toabe enrolled into Boston University, he was able to train at both Shodokan and New England Aikikai, … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Bob Toabe: Training Under Mitsunari Kanai, Part II

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Bob Toabe: Training Under Mitsunari Kanai, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

In 1974, Bob Toabe stepped onto the mats of Shodokan to learn aikido under Fred Newcomb. Mitsunari Kanai, Newcomb’s instructor and New England Aikikai founder, made the trip on the last Friday of each month to teach. When Toabe enrolled into Boston University, he was able to train at both Shodokan and New England Aikikai, … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Bob Toabe: Training Under Mitsunari Kanai, Part I

A Distinctive Dilemma: How Aikido Struggles to Find an Identity in the Modern World by Michael Aloia

~ Antonio Aloia ~ 1 Comment

Even during its formation, Aikido has taken on many permutations and multiple interpretations. In brief, its origins are a mixture of physical movements, battlefield ideologies, cultural philosophies, and religious beliefs. More than 80 years after its coining, Aikido continues to take on many forms and interpretations. With the art now moving into a new era … Continue reading A Distinctive Dilemma: How Aikido Struggles to Find an Identity in the Modern World by Michael Aloia

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka George Ledyard: The Past and the Future of Aikido, Part II

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During a time of anti-violent movements, George Ledyard stumbled upon an aikido demonstration while living in Washington DC. After watching the demonstration and talking with the leader of the group, Mitsugi Saotome, Ledyard was convinced to try out a class. From that moment, he was hooked. As the years went by, Ledyard trained in other … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka George Ledyard: The Past and the Future of Aikido, Part II

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka George Ledyard: The Past and the Future of Aikido, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

During a time of anti-violent movements, George Ledyard stumbled upon an aikido demonstration while living in Washington DC. After watching the demonstration and talking with the leader of the group, Mitsugi Saotome, Ledyard was convinced to try out a class. From that moment, he was hooked. As the years went by, Ledyard trained in other … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka George Ledyard: The Past and the Future of Aikido, Part I

Interview with Mountain Stream Budo Founder Noah Mitchell: Cross Training and Teaching

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Noah Mitchell began karate in 1983, experiencing a strict training approach to the art. A decade later, Mitchell began learning kobudo and after another decade, he began learning battodo and Toyama-ryu. In 2006, Mitchell opened his Mountain Stream Budo, offering many different martial arts and allowing his students to cross train like he has. Today, … Continue reading Interview with Mountain Stream Budo Founder Noah Mitchell: Cross Training and Teaching

Interview with New York Aikikai Chief Instructor Steve Pimsler: Yoshimitsu Yamada and the Future of Aikido

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Steve Pimsler first came to New York Aikikai to help improve his stunt skills. What he found, after taking a class with Yoshimitsu Yamada, was something that felt like it fit him perfectly. As time passed and his training became more intense, Yamada chose Pimsler as his otomo, traveling with Yamada for out-of-town seminars. In … Continue reading Interview with New York Aikikai Chief Instructor Steve Pimsler: Yoshimitsu Yamada and the Future of Aikido