Interview with Longtime Martial Artists Jesse Cahn: Family, Violence, and Aikido Part I

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Jesse Cahn was first introduced to the martial arts through his father, Rolf, however, his first official introduction into the martial arts was judo. As Cahn grew, he experienced situations and problems associated with the street and shady establishments that helped create his perspective on violence. In 2003, he joined Windsong Dojo for their aikido … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Martial Artists Jesse Cahn: Family, Violence, and Aikido Part I

Interview with Fighting Spirit Karate Founder Sean Schenker: The Spirit of Kyokushin Karate

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At the age of five, Sean Schenker enrolled into Kyokushin Karate and eventually found the spirit that the training instilled in its practitioners. That spirit stayed with him when he changed career paths, jumping into music full-time and leading a band. In 2011, Schenker opened his Fighting Spirit Karate across the way from where he … Continue reading Interview with Fighting Spirit Karate Founder Sean Schenker: The Spirit of Kyokushin Karate

Inspirations: Akira Toriyama and Dragon Ball Z

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As a regular reader here at Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow, many are well aware that what inspires people to enter into their first martial arts class varies greatly, from movies to books and from political reasons to family tradition. What, perhaps, has been overlooked is the power of cartoons, more specifically anime. … Continue reading Inspirations: Akira Toriyama and Dragon Ball Z

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Ronald Abo: From Aikikai to Tomiki Aikido

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Ronald Abo first started training aikido under Gaku Homma, who, in 1978, was teaching Aikikai style. It was not until making a connection with Seiji Tanaka and wondering how he would apply aikido in a real-time situation that Abo experimented with Tomiki Aikido. After his first class, he was hooked, amazed by this art’s effectiveness … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Ronald Abo: From Aikikai to Tomiki Aikido

Interview with Lifetime Martial Artist Chris Dewey: The Path to Akayama-ryu

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Chris Dewey began studying judo under Roy Inman at his Fairholm Judo Club. He later relocated to Canada to continue his training there while pursuing a doctorate degree. Upon moving to the United States in 1984, he took up taekwondo and hapkido until he found another judo club. During that time, he had the opportunity … Continue reading Interview with Lifetime Martial Artist Chris Dewey: The Path to Akayama-ryu

Interview with Order of the Blade Founder Richard Hughes: From the Duel to the Battlefield

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Richard Hughes really wanted to be competitive with a weapon in hand. After learning Shinkendo, Hughes found historical fencing and has stuck with it since. He thrived on taking apart a concept, boiling it down to its essential principles and implementing his discoveries into his training. Likewise, he enjoys using this method to reach each … Continue reading Interview with Order of the Blade Founder Richard Hughes: From the Duel to the Battlefield

Interview with Aikido Arts of Shin Budo Kai Founder Marc Abrams: Shizuo Imaizumi and His Ever-Changing Legacy

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In 1988, Marc Abrams attended a class led by Shizuo Imaizumi at the suggestion of some friends. After attempting to attack Imaizumi for real, Abrams was completely surprised at the result and convinced him to continue training under Imaizumi. Abrams later became the intermediary between his instructor and the outside aikido world. Since Imaizumi retired … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Arts of Shin Budo Kai Founder Marc Abrams: Shizuo Imaizumi and His Ever-Changing Legacy

Interview with Southern United States Kendo & Iaido Federation President Mark Kerstein: The Development of Kendo in Texas

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Mark Kerstein first started training in Taekwondo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin when he was 15 years old in 1970. He later moved to Houston, Texas in 1983, and after spending some time searching for an instructor, he found Darrell Craig at the Houston Budokan. After observing a Kendo practice, Kerstein was hooked and has spent over … Continue reading Interview with Southern United States Kendo & Iaido Federation President Mark Kerstein: The Development of Kendo in Texas

A Layman’s Observation: Weapons, Distance, and Application

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What is the point of doing weapons work, especially what some may perceive as outdated weapons work? Not many people carry swords, sticks, staves, clubs, shields, bucklers, polearms, or even daggers. Not in 2024. Not in the developed world. While the practical applications of such weapons are not the most socially acceptable (or the easiest … Continue reading A Layman’s Observation: Weapons, Distance, and Application