Category: Interviews

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

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

Interview with Aikido Kokikai of Queens Founder Alan Tamayo: Lessons from Shuji Maruyama

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Alan Tamayo began training in aikido in 2005 after purchasing a martial arts supply company. He walked into the Aikido Kokikai of Rochester and immediately felt the camaraderie and have yet to stop training. In 2016, Tamayo established his Aikido Kokikai of Queens where he continues to teach and learn from Shuji Maruyama. Today, Tamayo … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Kokikai of Queens Founder Alan Tamayo: Lessons from Shuji Maruyama

Interview with Hotspur School of Defence Founder Robert Brooks: Finding Common Ground Through Fencing

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Robert Brooks began sabre fencing in 1987 and almost stumbled upon the Dawn Duellists Society with Guy Windsor and Paul Macdonald in 1994 when he attended Napier University. In 2003, Brooks established his Hotspur School of Defence, eventually bringing the messer into more common use. Additionally, he authored At Your Mercy in 2023, expanding the … Continue reading Interview with Hotspur School of Defence Founder Robert Brooks: Finding Common Ground Through Fencing

Interview with Longtime Daito-ryu Practitioner Eric Pearson: Finding the Aiki in Everything, Part I

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Eric Pearson first stared into the window at the practicing aikidoka during his smoke break at a local pizza shop, convincing himself that his kung fu skills would take out all of them. Then something inspired him to walk in for practice, and he never looked back. He began training under Russell Waddell and Chuck … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Daito-ryu Practitioner Eric Pearson: Finding the Aiki in Everything, Part I