Category: Interviews

Interview with Hawaiian Kenshi Michael Sone: A Sone Kendo History in Hawaii Part I

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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 in Hawaii Part I

Longtime HEMA Practitioner Richard Marsden: HEMA in Arizona and the Modern Revival Movement

~ Antonio Aloia ~ 1 Comment

One of the original HEMA practitioners in Arizona, Richard Marsden began studying under Greg Hinchcliff, and later Jim Barrows. In 2011, Marsden and John Patterson established the Phoenix Society of Historical Swordsmanship. More recently, Marsden has authored two HEMA: one on Polish sabers and European martial arts in their contexts. All images provided by Richard … Continue reading Longtime HEMA Practitioner Richard Marsden: HEMA in Arizona and the Modern Revival Movement

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Jane Ozeki: New York Aikikai and Family

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Jane Ozeki began her aikido journey in 1971, becoming a student under Yoshimitsu Yamada at his New York Aikikai. Today, we had the chance to talk with Ozeki, discussing what the training was like at the New York Aikikai, along with her family. All images provided by Jane Ozeki. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Jane Ozeki: New York Aikikai and Family

Interview with Mountain View Kendo Dojo Student Richard Kang: In Memoriam of Masami Yamaguchi

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Richard Kang of Mountain View Kendo Dojo took some time to talk with us about his kendo journey and remembering Masami Yamaguchi, who passed away earlier this year, and everything he has done for kendo and the Northern California Kendo Federation. All images provided by Richard Kang. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Thank … Continue reading Interview with Mountain View Kendo Dojo Student Richard Kang: In Memoriam of Masami Yamaguchi

Interview with Former Hawaii Kendo Federation President Kathleen Nekomoto: Her Time as President

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Kathleen Nekomoto began training kendo in 1990, under the guidance of Dick Okaji. She became a secretary for the Hawaii Kendo Federation, later serving as the organization’s president between 2008 to 2019. Teaching out of her Kenyukai Dojo, Nekomoto took some time to talk about her time as president of the Hawaii Kendo Federation. All … Continue reading Interview with Former Hawaii Kendo Federation President Kathleen Nekomoto: Her Time as President

Interview with Judoka and Author Jean Kanokogi: Get Up & Fight and Rena “Rusty” Kanokogi

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In some ways, she was learning judo while her mother was pregnant with her while on the mat. Jean Kanokogi, a Senior Special Agent for the United States, began training under her parents, Rena “Rusty” and Ryohei Kanokogi. A prolific author herself, Jean began helping her mother write her memoir, Get Up and Fight! in … Continue reading Interview with Judoka and Author Jean Kanokogi: Get Up & Fight and Rena “Rusty” Kanokogi

Interview with Aikido Sangenkai Chief Instructor Christopher Li: Internal Martial Arts in Hawaii

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Aikido Sangenkai chief instructor Christopher Li began training aikido in the early 1980s under Mitsugi Saotome and Yoshimitsu Yamada, later traveling with the latter to Japan to train at Aikikai Hombu Dojo. By the 1990s, Li began to explore the internal power side of both aikido and the martial arts, ultimately affiliating with Dan Harden. … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Sangenkai Chief Instructor Christopher Li: Internal Martial Arts in Hawaii

Interview with Wiktenauer Editor-in-Chief Michael Chidester: HEMA in the United States

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Michael Chidester is the Editor-in-Chief of Wiktenauer and, as Director of the Wiktenauer, an officer of the non-profit HEMA Alliance. Michael is a Research Scholar of the Meyer Freifechter Guild, a founding member of the Society for Historical European Martial Arts Studies (SHEMAS), a member of the Western Martial Arts Coalition (WMAC), and a Lifetime … Continue reading Interview with Wiktenauer Editor-in-Chief Michael Chidester: HEMA in the United States

Interview with Californian Aikidoka Robert Noha: Aikido’s Spiritual Aspect

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Robert Noha began his aikido journey in 1966 and never looked back after finding a lifelong teacher and friend in Robert Nadeau. Under Nadeau’s guidance, Noha began to experience something more than the technical aspects of aikido – he began to see that the spiritual message left by O-Sensei would influence him for the rest … Continue reading Interview with Californian Aikidoka Robert Noha: Aikido’s Spiritual Aspect