Recently, I had the opportunity to watch a local fencing tournament. The participants were beginners of the sport who had just finished their ten-week introductory course. Being beginners, the fencers competed with the foil, where only the torso was the valid scoring area. Throughout the experience, being new to the sport, both the newly inducted … Continue reading Fencing and Kendo: A Layman’s Observation
Growing up with a fascination for the martial arts, it was no wonder Jason Martin found himself in an aikido school under Philadelphia pioneer Shuji Maruyama. Since then, he has continued following the teachings of Maruyama, even opening his own school, Chester County Kokikai Dojo in 2010, spreading what he learned from the Silent Aikido … Continue reading Interview with Chester County Kokikai Founder Jason Martin: The Silent Pioneer and Kokikai Aikido
This history is based on the Hawaiian kenshi interviews published through this chronicle, while using a handful of outside sources to provide historical or social context. This history, unfortunately, is not a complete one, however, it is one step closer to achieving a clearer picture of how the art evolved and changed on the Hawaiian … Continue reading Kendo in Hawaii: Abridged
Traditionally, within the context of modern times, martial arts have served as a way for the everyday person to participate in what's considered an ethnically and culture-based – even stylized – form or system of self-empowerment. The benefits have always included a level of better fitness, health, and well-being to physically and mentally live fuller … Continue reading The Misrepresentation of Martial Arts by Michael Aloia
Matt Toole is the president of the West Chester Judo Club, where the interviewee first started judo. Today, Toole took some time to talk about the club and his ascension to club president. All images courtesy of the West Chester Judo Club. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Hello and welcome! It’s great to … Continue reading Interview with West Chester University Judo Club President Matt Toole: It’s Good to be President
Beginning to fence was like a dream come true for Zachary Sturgis. Starting at the young age of twelve, Sturgis has taken to the sport and its history, constantly honing his craft. At the time of the interview, he lives in Italy, training under Marco Vannini and Dario Finetti. Today, Sturgis took some time to … Continue reading Interview with Berk Fencing Club Member Zachary Sturgis: The Excitement of the Sport
Skill is a combination of time, technique, and training of the basics. Most things we do in life are a series of procedures or methods. Even the simplest of tasks involves a procedure to activate an additional series of actions and achieve an end result. Those tasks that are involuntary or natural and those that … Continue reading Essentially the Basics by Michael Aloia
Mike Page wanted to start aikido sooner, but the stars did not align until his graduate career at Florida State University, where he quickly joined the college’s club. From there, he trained under Yoshimitsu Yamada and Thomas “Doc” Walker, soon learning from Mitsugi Saotome, Dennis Hooker, and John Messores. Today, Page took some time to … Continue reading Interview with North Florida School of Aikido Chief Instructor Mike Page: Florida Aikido and Individualized Training
Jon Weaver first began fencing in 2000 but had a spark to join back in 1964. After publishing an article in his local newspaper and recruiting Adam Feldman, they established the Berks Fencing Club in 2001. Since then, Weaver has consistently taught beginners at the club, giving them a firm foundation to grow from. Today, … Continue reading Interview with Berks Fencing Club Founder Jon Weaver: The Beginning
Dr. Wendy Rouse took her first step into the world of martial arts at the age of ten after watching The Karate Kid. She took to history when in college, focusing on the Progressive Era of the United States, eventually earning her doctorate. During her research for her dissertation, she found something that later inspired … Continue reading Interview with Progressive Era Historian Wendy Rouse: The Beginnings of the Women’s Self-Defense and Empowerment Movements
Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 