Interview with Aikido of Hilo Cofounder Robert Klein: Starting From Scratch and Friendship

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Robert Klein began aikido while at Stonybrook University, after some of his friends brought him to one of the classes. Immediately, he was hooked, even meeting his wife, Barbara, during training. He soon started travelling to Long Island Aikikai, studying under Eddie Hagihara. In 1980, he and Barbara moved to Hilo, Hawaii. There, the couple … Continue reading Interview with Aikido of Hilo Cofounder Robert Klein: Starting From Scratch and Friendship

Interview with Aikido of Raritan Valley Founder Paul Manogue: From Japan and Back Again

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One could say that the martial arts called out to Paul Manogue, as he experienced everything from fencing, kendo, aikido, judo, and kenjutsu. He first found aikido when he was going to university in Japan and began training under Gozo Shioda. When he returned home, Manogue began studying under Yukio Utada in Philadelphia. Soon, he … Continue reading Interview with Aikido of Raritan Valley Founder Paul Manogue: From Japan and Back Again

Interview with GNYNF President Katie Roche: Naginata Adventures and Implementing Technology, Part III

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Katie Roche wanted to find out what naginata was as a child after hearing her grandmother talk about her time in the art. After some time and breaking up with her high school boyfriend, she enrolled herself into naginata, studying first under Sachiko Yamauchi. When she relocated for undergraduate studies at Mount Holyoke College and … Continue reading Interview with GNYNF President Katie Roche: Naginata Adventures and Implementing Technology, Part III

Interview with GNYNF President Katie Roche: Naginata Adventures and Implementing Technology, Part II

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Katie Roche wanted to find out what naginata was as a child after hearing her grandmother talk about her time in the art. After some time and breaking up with her high school boyfriend, she enrolled herself into naginata, studying first under Sachiko Yamauchi. When she relocated for undergraduate studies at Mount Holyoke College and … Continue reading Interview with GNYNF President Katie Roche: Naginata Adventures and Implementing Technology, Part II

Interview with GNYNF President Katie Roche: Naginata Adventures and Implementing Technology, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Katie Roche wanted to find out what naginata was as a child after hearing her grandmother talk about her time in the art. After some time and breaking up with her high school boyfriend, she enrolled herself into naginata, studying first under Sachiko Yamauchi. When she relocated for undergraduate studies at Mount Holyoke College and … Continue reading Interview with GNYNF President Katie Roche: Naginata Adventures and Implementing Technology, Part I

A Layman’s Observations: The Role of Uke in Training

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This is the fourth installment in an ongoing series of "A Layman's Observations" where I discuss my observations on martial arts and combat sports. Read the prior installment here. Recently, as I stepped onto the dojo’s mats, my mind began contemplating the overall role of uke in partner-based arts that I train. What is it … Continue reading A Layman’s Observations: The Role of Uke in Training

Interview with Seattle Kendo Kai Head Instructor Doug Imanishi: Responding to Covid and Celebrating 100 Years

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Beginning his training at a young age, Doug Imanishi took up kendo when his older cousin and he played with some rolled up newspapers. From there, his desire to train kendo grew, as did his family membership in the art. In 2004, he took over Seattle Kendo Kai, the one his grandfather helped establish in … Continue reading Interview with Seattle Kendo Kai Head Instructor Doug Imanishi: Responding to Covid and Celebrating 100 Years

Interview with Austin Historical Weapons Guild Founder Anthony Buonomo: Historical Fencing in Texas, Part II

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Anthony Buonomo explored the Eastern martial arts before finding historical fencing, though he was always interested in swords and the like. When he moved to Austin, Texas in 2012, he finally found a group and began teaching historical fencing after nine months of training, drawing on his previous martial arts training. This experience soon led … Continue reading Interview with Austin Historical Weapons Guild Founder Anthony Buonomo: Historical Fencing in Texas, Part II

Interview with Austin Historical Weapons Guild Founder Anthony Buonomo: Historical Fencing in Texas, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Anthony Buonomo explored the Eastern martial arts before finding historical fencing, though he was always interested in swords and the like. When he moved to Austin, Texas in 2012, he finally found a group and began teaching historical fencing after nine months of training, drawing on his previous martial arts training. This experience soon led … Continue reading Interview with Austin Historical Weapons Guild Founder Anthony Buonomo: Historical Fencing in Texas, Part I