Category: Interviews

Interview with Siskiyou Aikikai Founder Darrell Bluhm: Aikido, Kazuo Chiba, and the Future, Part I

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Darrell Bluhm found aikido and started learning the art in 1970 while in college. Very enamored with aikido, after graduating in 1973 he traveled to Japan where he trained from June through August primarily in Iwama with Morihiro Saito Sensei, with visits to Hombu Dojo and to Shingu with Michio Hikitsuchi Sensei. When he returned … Continue reading Interview with Siskiyou Aikikai Founder Darrell Bluhm: Aikido, Kazuo Chiba, and the Future, Part I

Interview with Chester County Kokikai Founder Jason Martin: Kokikai’s Future

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Growing up with a fascination for the martial arts, it was no wonder Jason Martin found himself in an aikido school under Philadelphia pioneer Sensei Shuji Maruyama. Since then, he has continued following the teachings of Maruyama, even opening his own school, Chester County Kokikai Dojo in 2010, spreading what he learned from the Silent … Continue reading Interview with Chester County Kokikai Founder Jason Martin: Kokikai’s Future

John Unruh: Takahiko Ishikawa’s Legacy Outside the Country

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The following is an excerpt of an interview conducted for the newly released Takahiko Ishikawa: Judo’s Quiet Master, which recounts the life, times, and impact of Ishikawa on East Coast Judo in the United States. John Unruh retells some of his memories meeting Ishikawa and witnessing his far-reaching influence outside of the United States. John … Continue reading John Unruh: Takahiko Ishikawa’s Legacy Outside the Country

Interview with Longtime Shin-Budo Kai Practitioner Bob Tullman: Following the Change

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Always interested in the martial arts, Bob Tullman always kept an eye out for possible training opportunities. After training in Sanuces-ryu jujutsu and Goju Karate, he heard about this mystical martial art called aikido. He could not find a program near him immediately but while working on his graduate school in Kansas, he found aikido … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Shin-Budo Kai Practitioner Bob Tullman: Following the Change

Interview with Longtime Tenshin Aikidoka Luis Silva: The Impact of Haruo Matsuoka

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Luis Silva first started in Shotokan Karate, earning a shodan. It was not until he moved to Los Angeles that he found Tenshin Aikido. After watching his first class, he was completely enamored by it and asked immediately to join. Unbeknownst to him, this school was directly connected with Steven Seagal. Silva learned from both … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Tenshin Aikidoka Luis Silva: The Impact of Haruo Matsuoka

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Kiyoshi Yasutake: Aikido After O-Sensei’s Direct Students

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Kiyoshi Yasutake was Akira Tohei’s first student to go from white belt to black belt under him. Beginning in 1973, Yasutake took to aikido with much vigor, learning from and supporting Tohei in his many endeavors through the Midwest Aikido Center and the Midwest Aikido Federation. Today, Yasutake took some time to discuss aikido of … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Kiyoshi Yasutake: Aikido After O-Sensei’s Direct Students

Interview with Athen Ohio Ki-Aikido Founder Stan Haehl: Changing for the Future

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Stan Haehl heard of aikido before, but it was not until 1978 that he found a class in his small town in Kansas. He first learned the art under Barbra Bloom, then traveled to Boulder, Colorado to train under the Midland Ki Federation head Koichi Kashiwaya, and lastly, under Andrew T. Tsubaki. In 2008, his … Continue reading Interview with Athen Ohio Ki-Aikido Founder Stan Haehl: Changing for the Future

Interview with North County Aikikai Founder Coryl Crane: Kazuo Chiba and Changes in Aikido

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Coryl Crane was first introduced to aikido through Tai Chi, beginning her training with Ki Society. By 1981, she heard of Kazuo Chiba’s arrival in San Diego and decided to see what the commotion was all about. She never looked back afterwards. Ten years later, she opened her own dojo, North County Aikikai and has … Continue reading Interview with North County Aikikai Founder Coryl Crane: Kazuo Chiba and Changes in Aikido

Joe and Becky Condello: Takahiko Ishikawa in Virginia Beach

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The following is an excerpt of an interview conducted for the upcoming Takahiko Ishikawa: Judo’s Quiet Master, which recounts the life, times, and impact of Ishikawa on East Coast Judo in the United States. Joe and Becky Condello retells some of their memories learning from Ishikawa while in Virginia Beach. Joe Condello began training judo … Continue reading Joe and Becky Condello: Takahiko Ishikawa in Virginia Beach

Interview with Takemusu Aikido Association Founder Bill Witt: A Future for Aikido

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Bill Witt began training in aikido in 1967, under Morihei Ueshiba– O-Sensei – at Hombu Dojo in Tokyo. After O-Sensei passed away in 1969, Witt began training under Morihiro Saito in Iwama, Japan. He cofounded the Takemusu Aikido Association in 2002, based in California, and currently has been teaching at Aikido of Silicon Valley since … Continue reading Interview with Takemusu Aikido Association Founder Bill Witt: A Future for Aikido