Interview with Granite State Aikido Club Instructor Linda Hovan: Meeting Donovan Waite

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Linda Hovan found herself in aikido with her husband, Michel, as he took her to many a seminar, both in New York and Pennsylvania. It was during one of these seminars that she met Donovan Waite and his teaching intrigued her and Michel, so much so that the couple traveled to Philadelphia regularly to train … Continue reading Interview with Granite State Aikido Club Instructor Linda Hovan: Meeting Donovan Waite

Reflecting on How to be a Modern Samurai

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Cummins, Antony. How to be a Modern Samurai: 10 Steps of Finding Your Power & Achieving Success. Watkins; London. 2020 I am always interested in what Antony Cummins produces, whether it pertains to the ninja, to Natori-ryu, or anything in between. His perspective on these topics is different, refreshing, and, at times, enlightening to consider … Continue reading Reflecting on How to be a Modern Samurai

Interview with Capital Kunst des Fechtens Instructor William Buschur: Changes in Training Approaches in Historical Fencing

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

After seeing a more martial version of stage combat on YouTube, William Buschur was hooked on trying to find a place to do that. Unfortunately, there was nothing around him until he relocated to Northern Virginia and stumbled across Capital Kunst des Fechtens, studying under the tutelage of Jake Norwood. Once Norwood relocated for his … Continue reading Interview with Capital Kunst des Fechtens Instructor William Buschur: Changes in Training Approaches in Historical Fencing

A Layman’s Observation: Blind Loyalty Within the Martial Arts

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

I recently finished a biography of an instructor who may have created a training atmosphere that may have bordered on the side of toxic and abusive. Such actions were under the guise of hard training and/or attempting to push students to their limit and achieve something greater. In finishing that biography, I realized that I … Continue reading A Layman’s Observation: Blind Loyalty Within the Martial Arts

Interview with Aikido of Ramapo Valley Founder Eran Vardi: Memories of Donovan Waite

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Eran Vardi first saw Donovan Waite at New York Aikikai, who was teaching both regular and ukemi classes. Intrigued by Waite’s style and approach, Vardi made it a point to visit Waite regularly when the latter opened his Philadelphia dojo, ultimately having a major influence on Vardi. Today, Vardi took some time to discuss the … Continue reading Interview with Aikido of Ramapo Valley Founder Eran Vardi: Memories of Donovan Waite

Interview with Longtime Hawaiian Kenshi Braxton Fukutomi: Rebuilding Hawaiian Kendo After Covid

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Hailing from a multigenerational kendo family, Braxton Fukutomi began training in the art at the age of four. As he progressed through kendo, Fukutomi became the head instructor of the Aiea Taiheiji Kendo Club, while his mother continues to run the Waipahu Seibukan Kendo Club. At the Aiea Taiheiji kendo Club, Fukutomi tries to develop … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Hawaiian Kenshi Braxton Fukutomi: Rebuilding Hawaiian Kendo After Covid

Interview with Boston Academie d’Armes Founder Justin Aucoin: For the Love of Fencing

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

After seeing Disney’s The Three Musketeers, Justin Aucoin was hooked and wanted everything to do with swords. He found that outlet when he stumbled onto historical fencing after traying his hand in Olympic Fencing. From there, he explored the limited inventory of translated sources and manuals, blossoming when platforms like YouTube and Deullo.tv became available, … Continue reading Interview with Boston Academie d’Armes Founder Justin Aucoin: For the Love of Fencing

Interview with Goshu-ryu Aiki Jujutsu Founder Michiharu Mori: Aikido’s Future in Australia, Part II

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

After reading a book on internationalization and Gozo Shioda’s biography, Michiharu Mori was convinced of spreading Japanese culture and aikido outside of Japan. Once graduating high school, Mori enrolled himself into the Honbu Dojo of Yoshinkan Aikido in Tokyo. After training for nine years – three years with Takafumi Takeno, three years with Chida, and … Continue reading Interview with Goshu-ryu Aiki Jujutsu Founder Michiharu Mori: Aikido’s Future in Australia, Part II