Category: Interviews

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Jesse Spears: Obstacles Facing The Art of Peace in the United States

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This is a transcript of an interview with South Austin Aikido head instructor Jesse Spears in the spring of 2019. Here, we discuss the obstacles facing aikido in the United States. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Hello and welcome Spears Sensei! Thank you for taking the time to talk with us today! Jesse … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Jesse Spears: Obstacles Facing The Art of Peace in the United States

Interview with Hawaiian Kenshi Garrett Matsumoto: The Kenshikan Kendo Dojo

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Garrett Matsumoto began training kendo at the age of seven at the behest of his parents, studying under the late Shigeo Yoshinaga. After taking a short break, he began training under Katsumi Yamada of Kenshikan Dojo. Presently, Matsumoto is the Chief Instructor of Kenshikan Dojo. Today, he took the time to discuss with us Shigeo … Continue reading Interview with Hawaiian Kenshi Garrett Matsumoto: The Kenshikan Kendo Dojo

Interview with ARMA Director John Clements: Renaissance Martial Arts and HEMA

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John Clements began his journey into historical European martial arts to rediscover the historical basis of techniques and move sets found in Western fencing. In 1995, he took the helm of Hank Reinhardt's Historical Armed Combat Association (HACA) and then, in 2000, reconceived it into the Association of Renaissance Martial Arts (ARMA) and helped spearhead … Continue reading Interview with ARMA Director John Clements: Renaissance Martial Arts and HEMA

Four Strikes with Hawaiian Kenshi Jack Yamada: The Kenshikan

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Jack Yamada began training kendo under his father, Katsumi Yamada, at a young age. His father headed the Kenshikan Dojo for two decades before passing the position to Garrett Matsumoto. Today, Jack Yamada talks about some of the history of Kenshikan and his father. All images provided by Jack Yamada. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, … Continue reading Four Strikes with Hawaiian Kenshi Jack Yamada: The Kenshikan

Interview with Aikido Author Walther von Krenner: His Time in Kendo

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Beginning his martial arts journey in Germany in 1957 with Judo, Walther von Krenner spent the next sixty years training in various martial arts, from aikido to kendo. Today, Krenner took some time to talk about his kendo training, which started with Hiroji Miyahara, his son, Maki, and the famous Torao Mori. All images provided … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Author Walther von Krenner: His Time in Kendo

Interview with Longtime Hawaiian Kenshi Braxton Fukutomi: Continuing His Family’s Legacy

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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: Continuing His Family’s Legacy

Interview with USAF Technical Committee Member Claude Berthiaume: His Aikido Journey

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Beginning his aikido training in 1971, Claude Berthiaume had the opportunity to train and forge connections with Yoshimitsu Yamada and Mitsunari Kanai. Since then, he has helped grow and facilitate the United States Aikido Federation. Today, we had the opportunity to speak with Berthiaume about how he got started in aikido. Martial Arts of Yesterday, … Continue reading Interview with USAF Technical Committee Member Claude Berthiaume: His Aikido Journey

Interview with Army Sergeant Harry Gill: Army Combatives

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Harry Gill entered military service in 2007 and has taken some time to discuss Army combatives and mindset both in the military and in civilian life. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Welcome Sergeant Gill and thank you for taking some time to talk with us! Harry Gill: Thank you for inviting me! MAYTT: … Continue reading Interview with Army Sergeant Harry Gill: Army Combatives

Interview with Longtime Kenshi Kenneth Strawn: Starting From Scratch

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Kenneth Strawn found kendo while he was in college, training under the American pioneer Benjamin Hazard. Between 1984 and 1986, he helped grow the Obukan Kendo Club. He returned to his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, quickly establishing his Charlotte Kendo Club and helped form the Southeastern United States Kendo Federation in 1988. Today, we … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kenshi Kenneth Strawn: Starting From Scratch

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Michael Aloia: The Art of Harmony in America

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This is a transcript of an interview with Asahikan Dojo head instructor Michael Aloia in the spring of 2019. Here, we discuss the current state of aikido in the United States. All images provided by Michael Aloia. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Welcome and thank you for taking the time to talk with … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Michael Aloia: The Art of Harmony in America