Category: Interviews

Interview with Historical Fencing Mentor Peter Haas: Involvement in the HEMA Community

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Peter Haas began training historical fencing in 2015 at Sword Class NYC in the middle of some life changes. Additionally, he studies Toyama-ryu, which has expanded his understanding of swordsmanship. In the year that followed 2015, Haas created Kollektiv des Messerfechtens and Squinting Rabbit Productions, and teaches at Gotham Swords, striving to be a mentor … Continue reading Interview with Historical Fencing Mentor Peter Haas: Involvement in the HEMA Community

Interview with Bothell Aikido Founder Amanda Ambrosio: Jiyushinkai’s Uniqueness

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Amanda Ambrosio first studied Taekwondo. When she relocated for an internship in Oklahoma, she could not find any Taekwondo schools that she liked and found an aikido dojo that welcomed her. Over the years she learned from Jiyushinkai founder Chuck Clark and his son and current head, Aaron. Ambrosio has since moved to Washington State … Continue reading Interview with Bothell Aikido Founder Amanda Ambrosio: Jiyushinkai’s Uniqueness

Interview with Sala Della Spada Founder Patrick Bratton: Blending the Historical and Modern in Fencing

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First starting in Tang Soo Do and enjoying the weapon forms, Patrick Bratton gravitated towards more weapons work, joining Olympic foil and Society for Creative Anachronism heavy fencing, and later HEMA in 2013. From there, Bratton established Sala Della Spada, teaching both Olympic and historical fencing, where he implements modern training methods to keep students … Continue reading Interview with Sala Della Spada Founder Patrick Bratton: Blending the Historical and Modern in Fencing

Interview with Granite State Aikido Club Instructor Linda Hovan: Meeting Donovan Waite

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Linda Hovan found herself in aikido with her husband, Michel, as he took her to many a seminar, both in New York and Pennsylvania. It was during one of these seminars that she met Donovan Waite and his teaching intrigued her and Michel, so much so that the couple traveled to Philadelphia regularly to train … Continue reading Interview with Granite State Aikido Club Instructor Linda Hovan: Meeting Donovan Waite

Interview with Capital Kunst des Fechtens Instructor William Buschur: Changes in Training Approaches in Historical Fencing

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After seeing a more martial version of stage combat on YouTube, William Buschur was hooked on trying to find a place to do that. Unfortunately, there was nothing around him until he relocated to Northern Virginia and stumbled across Capital Kunst des Fechtens, studying under the tutelage of Jake Norwood. Once Norwood relocated for his … Continue reading Interview with Capital Kunst des Fechtens Instructor William Buschur: Changes in Training Approaches in Historical Fencing

Interview with Aikido of Ramapo Valley Founder Eran Vardi: Memories of Donovan Waite

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Eran Vardi first saw Donovan Waite at New York Aikikai, who was teaching both regular and ukemi classes. Intrigued by Waite’s style and approach, Vardi made it a point to visit Waite regularly when the latter opened his Philadelphia dojo, ultimately having a major influence on Vardi. Today, Vardi took some time to discuss the … Continue reading Interview with Aikido of Ramapo Valley Founder Eran Vardi: Memories of Donovan Waite

Interview with Longtime Hawaiian Kenshi Braxton Fukutomi: Rebuilding Hawaiian Kendo After Covid

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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: Rebuilding Hawaiian Kendo After Covid

Interview with Boston Academie d’Armes Founder Justin Aucoin: For the Love of Fencing

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After seeing Disney’s The Three Musketeers, Justin Aucoin was hooked and wanted everything to do with swords. He found that outlet when he stumbled onto historical fencing after traying his hand in Olympic Fencing. From there, he explored the limited inventory of translated sources and manuals, blossoming when platforms like YouTube and Deullo.tv became available, … Continue reading Interview with Boston Academie d’Armes Founder Justin Aucoin: For the Love of Fencing

Interview with Goshu-ryu Aiki Jujutsu Founder Michiharu Mori: Aikido’s Future in Australia, Part II

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After reading a book on internationalization and Gozo Shioda’s biography, Michiharu Mori was convinced of spreading Japanese culture and aikido outside of Japan. Once graduating high school, Mori enrolled himself into the Honbu Dojo of Yoshinkan Aikido in Tokyo. After training for nine years – three years with Takafumi Takeno, three years with Chida, and … Continue reading Interview with Goshu-ryu Aiki Jujutsu Founder Michiharu Mori: Aikido’s Future in Australia, Part II

Interview with Goshu-ryu Aiki Jujutsu Founder Michiharu Mori: Aikido’s Future in Australia, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

After reading a book on internationalization and Gozo Shioda’s biography, Michiharu Mori was convinced of spreading Japanese culture and aikido outside of Japan. Once graduating high school, Mori enrolled himself into the Honbu Dojo of Yoshinkan Aikido in Tokyo. After training for nine years – three years with Takafumi Takeno, three years with Chida, and … Continue reading Interview with Goshu-ryu Aiki Jujutsu Founder Michiharu Mori: Aikido’s Future in Australia, Part I