Category: Interviews

Interview with Former New York Aikikai Instructor Ruth Peyser: Supporting Gender Equity and the Independent Coalition of USAF Women’s Petition

~ Antonio Aloia ~ 2 Comments

Ruth Peyser began training aikido in 1980 after observing a class at the New York Aikikai. For the better part of forty years, she trained under Yoshimitsu Yamada, Seiichi Sugano and Donovan Waite. In late 2019, she signed the Independent Coalition of USAF Women’s petition, resulting in her banishment from the New York Aikikai. Today, … Continue reading Interview with Former New York Aikikai Instructor Ruth Peyser: Supporting Gender Equity and the Independent Coalition of USAF Women’s Petition

Interview with Aikido Instructor Salvatore Forestieri: Aikido in the Martial Arts Industry

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Salvatore Forestieri began his aikido training under Fumio Toyoda. After his passing, Forestieri became an understudy of Steven Seagal. This is a transcript of an interview conducted in the spring of 2019, discussing the current state of aikido and its place in the martial arts industry. All images provided by Salvatore Forestieri. Martial Arts of … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Instructor Salvatore Forestieri: Aikido in the Martial Arts Industry

Interview with Seattle Kendo Kai Head Instructor Doug Imanishi: Kendo in the Pacific Northwest, Part II

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Beginning his training at a young age, Doug Imanishi took up kendo in a way to win a newspaper sword match with his older cousin when they played. From there, his desire to train kendo grew, as did his family membership in the art. In 2004, he took over Seattle Kendo Kai, the one his grandfather … Continue reading Interview with Seattle Kendo Kai Head Instructor Doug Imanishi: Kendo in the Pacific Northwest, Part II

Interview with Seattle Kendo Kai Head Instructor Doug Imanishi: Kendo in the Pacific Northwest, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Beginning his training at a young age, Doug Imanishi took up kendo in a way to win a newspaper sword match with his older cousin when they played. From there, his desire to train kendo grew, as did his family membership in the art. In 2004, he took over Seattle Kendo Kai,the one his grandfather … Continue reading Interview with Seattle Kendo Kai Head Instructor Doug Imanishi: Kendo in the Pacific Northwest, Part I

Interview with Guy Power: His Iaido Journey

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

After seeing a Black Belt Magazine, Guy Power was hooked on the martial arts, first starting in taekwondo in Thailand. He later took up iaido, which became his life-long art, studying under Toshishiro Obata and Taizaburo Nakamura. Power opened his Kenshinkan Dojo in 1996. Today, Power took some time to discuss his iaido journey, taking … Continue reading Interview with Guy Power: His Iaido Journey

Interview with Kendo Kyoshi Jeff Marsten: Kendo in the Pacific Northwest

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

With over forty years of kendo experience, Jeff Marsten began his kendo journey in 1971. From then, he founded five clubs and schools in the Pacific Northwest and served as the President of the All United States Kendo Federation from 1994 to 2000, helping to grow the organization’s membership. Today, Marsten took some time to … Continue reading Interview with Kendo Kyoshi Jeff Marsten: Kendo in the Pacific Northwest

Interview with Martial Arts Historian Joseph Svinth: Martial History and EJMAS

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Joseph Svinth began studying African and Middle Eastern history. He joined the Electronic Journal of Martial Arts and Sciences (EJMAS) as a writer and editor. In 2003, he released Getting a Grip, focusing on judo in the Japanese American communities of the Pacific Northwest. Similarly, Svinth worked with Martial Arts Studies proponent Thomas A. Green … Continue reading Interview with Martial Arts Historian Joseph Svinth: Martial History and EJMAS

Interview with Aikido Shihan Bill Witt: Aikido’s Decline in the United States

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Bill Witt Sensei began training in aikido in 1967, under Ueshiba Morihei – O-Sensei – at Hombu Dojo in Tokyo. After O-Sensei passed away in 1969, Witt Sensei began training under Saito Morihiro Sensei in Iwama, Japan. He cofounded the Takemusu Aikido Association in 2002, based in California, and currently has been teaching at Aikido … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Shihan Bill Witt: Aikido’s Decline in the United States

Interview with Boulder Shotokan Karate Chief Instructor Bruce Green: The Current State of Karate in America

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Beginning his karate training in 1970, Bruce Green placed as a finalist in the Japanese Karate Association National Collegiate Karate Championships consecutively from 1973 to 1975. He became the chief instructor of Boulder Shotokan Karate in 1980. The following is a transcript from Spring 2019 discussing the current state of karate in America. All images … Continue reading Interview with Boulder Shotokan Karate Chief Instructor Bruce Green: The Current State of Karate in America

Interview with Arielle Herman, Part II: The Independent Coalition of USAF Women and the Future of Aikido in America

~ Antonio Aloia ~ 2 Comments

Arielle Herman of Rivertide Martial Arts and Yoga became a part of the Independent Coalition of USAF Women in late 2019, and soon became a representative of the Coalition in meetings with the USAF. Today, Arielle talks about her experiences with the Coalition and the future of aikido in America in relation to the event. … Continue reading Interview with Arielle Herman, Part II: The Independent Coalition of USAF Women and the Future of Aikido in America