After training aikido for eight years, Howard Babus was immediately hooked when he saw his first kendo session in 1983. He spent many individualized lessons with Mikio Hattanda at the Santa Barbara Kendo Dojo. Babus inherited the school in 2012. Today, Babus talks a little about his kendo journey, Hattanda, and the art in Southern … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kenshi Howard Babus: Santa Barbara Kendo Dojo
Stefan Locklair began kendo at the age of seventeen, gaining multiple perspectives from training in different schools throughout the United States and Japan. He is currently the chief instructor of the Las Vegas Kendo Club and has joined us to discuss his kendo journey. All images provided by Stefan Locklair. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, … Continue reading Interview with Las Vegas Kenshi Stefan Locklair: A Kendo Journey from Coast to Coast
To meld is to blend or combine two or more things. In martial arts, it is now referred to as Mixed Martial Arts. In days past, cross training was regarded as a way to train and gain knowledge from various styles at one time, though the idea of blending multiple styles together was often frowned … Continue reading Martial Melding: Finding the Similarities
Cary Mizobe began kendo training later than most, however, his love for the art has remained strong. Starting out at the Torrance Kendo Dojo, he later established his Westside Kendo Dojo in 1987. Today, Mizobe talks about his time training under Chris Mori, Torao Mori’s son, the philosophical side of kendo, and some personal experiences … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kenshi Cary Mizobe: Kendo and Life, Part II
Cary Mizobe began kendo training later than most, however, his love for the art has remained strong. Starting out at the Torrance Kendo Dojo, he later established his Westside Kendo Dojo in 1987. Today, Mizobe talks about his time training under Chris Mori, Torao Mori’s son, the philosophical side of kendo, and some personal experiences … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kenshi Cary Mizobe: Kendo and Life, Part I
The Viñas Arnis System followed the old tradition of hiding different aspects of the art from students. That all changed with Nonong Viñas and the current head of the System, Russell T. Mackler. Here, Mackler discusses how he is pushing the boundaries of the Viñas Arnis System and how the Historical European Martial Arts community … Continue reading Interview with Viñas Arnis System Inheritor Russell T. Mackler: Arnis and HEMA
Bryan Imanishi of Cascade Kendo Kai feels like he was born into kendo, starting his training at the age of eight. With most of his family participating in the art, to him, it felt like the right thing to do. Today, Imanishi discusses his kendo journey, from childhood to adulthood, some history of the Cascade … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kenshi Bryan Imanishi: Kendo Training and Cascade Kendo Kai
While attending the University of California Berkeley, author Diana Paxson and others helped organize a medieval tournament that laid the foundations for future tournaments and the establishment of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA). Paxson spent ten years serving on the SCA’s Board of Directors, furthering its growth. Today, Paxson talks about the formation of … Continue reading Interview with Author Diana Paxson: The Early Years of the Society of Creative Anachronism
Beginning his kendo journey at the age of fifty-seven, Steven Timbrook enrolled at Santa Barbara Kendo Dojo, studying under Mikio Hattanda. Today, Timbrook discusses his kendo journey. All images supplied by Steven Timbrook. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Welcome Timbrook Sensei! Thank you for joining us! Steven Timbrook: I look forward to your … Continue reading Interview with Kenshi Steven Timbrook: Starting a Bit Later
Like many American Japanese in Hawaii – as Michael Sone terms many like him – Sone began his kendo training at an early age under his grandfather, Tetsunosuke Sone. Under him, he learned traditional kendo, emphasizing on the virtues one’s character through the use of the sword. Now leading the Mitsune Dojo, Sone took some … Continue reading Interview with Hawaiian Kenshi Michael Sone: A Sone Kendo History of Hawaii Part II
Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 