Category: Uncategorized

Interview with Shin Sou Fu Kan Founder Michael Lindsay: Koki Abe and Oklahoma Kendo, Part I

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Kendo interested Michael Lindsay, even after training in karate and Olympic Fencing in his younger years. When he arrived at college in 2004, he found Senshikan Dojo under the direction of Koki Abe and Lindsay quickly took to Japanese swordsmanship and fostering a friendship with Abe. When Abe left to return to Japan in 2006, … Continue reading Interview with Shin Sou Fu Kan Founder Michael Lindsay: Koki Abe and Oklahoma Kendo, Part I

Interview with Longtime HEMAist Jess Finley: Adventures in Translating, Teaching, and Fencing, Part II

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Like with many historical fencers, Jessica Finley had an interest in swords at an early age, ultimately finding the Renaissance Faire to explore her interests. It was not until she acquired internet that she found what was then called Western Martial Arts and her current teacher, Christian Tobler. Since then, she has diligently studied, translated, … Continue reading Interview with Longtime HEMAist Jess Finley: Adventures in Translating, Teaching, and Fencing, Part II

Interview with Longtime HEMAist Jess Finley: Adventures in Translating, Teaching, and Fencing, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Like with many historical fencers, Jessica Finley had an interest in swords at an early age, ultimately finding the Renaissance Faire to explore her interests. It was not until she acquired internet that she found what was then called Western Martial Arts and her current teacher, Christian Tobler. Since then, she has diligently studied, translated, … Continue reading Interview with Longtime HEMAist Jess Finley: Adventures in Translating, Teaching, and Fencing, Part I

Interview with Kaze Uta Budo Kai Founder Nick Lowry: Karl Geis and Striking Out on His Own, Part II

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After spending his teenage years participating in competitive stick fighting, Nick Lowry found aikido by reading a magazine and finding a local dojo. Upon his first watch, he was hooked and quickly became uchi deshi to Chuck Caldwell. He later learned from Caldwell’s instructor, Karl Geis not only aikido but judo and jodo as well. … Continue reading Interview with Kaze Uta Budo Kai Founder Nick Lowry: Karl Geis and Striking Out on His Own, Part II

Interview with Denver Historical Fencing Academy Co-founder Jason Barrons: Diversity in Sword Fighting

~ Antonio Aloia ~ 1 Comment

Jason Barrons began training in historical fencing in 2014 at the New York Historical Fencing Association. He later found himself in Denver, Colorado with Aaron Karnuta and Sam Ross where the three of them founded the Denver Historical Fencing Academy. Since then, Barrons remains as the sole founder of the school but is joined by … Continue reading Interview with Denver Historical Fencing Academy Co-founder Jason Barrons: Diversity in Sword Fighting

Interview with Chushin Aikido Founder Erik DiVietro: Tomiki Aikido and Aiki

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Erik DiVietro has a different take on Tomiki Aikido. He had a chance to participate in three different Tomiki Aikido organizations and has studied other styles of aikido to explore the root of the art – aiki. DiVietro currently teaches what he has discovered about aiki at his Chūshin Aikido. Today, DiVietro discusses his time … Continue reading Interview with Chushin Aikido Founder Erik DiVietro: Tomiki Aikido and Aiki

Interview with Albuquerque Shin-Budo Kai Chief Instructor Ralph Bryan: Always Coming Back to Aikido

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Ralph Bryan experienced many different styles of aikido throughout his time before settling with Shizuo Imaizumi. He first started in Hawaii with Aikikai, and then with Bill Lee of Ki Society in Austin, Texas, and later with Mitsugi Saotome’s Aikido Schools of Ueshiba in Takoma Park, Maryland. He joined Shin-Budo Kai in 1994 with Wade … Continue reading Interview with Albuquerque Shin-Budo Kai Chief Instructor Ralph Bryan: Always Coming Back to Aikido

Interview with Boulder Aikikai Founder Hiroshi Ikeda: A Journey with Mitsugi Saotome

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Hiroshi Ikeda first trained judo in his high school years before finding aikido at Kokugakuin University, in 1969. There, he began studying directly under Mitsugi Saotome, and soon enrolled in his Reimei Juku Dojo the next year. When an American aikidoka (Bill McIntyre) invited Saotome to teach in Florida in 1976, Ikeda followed him to … Continue reading Interview with Boulder Aikikai Founder Hiroshi Ikeda: A Journey with Mitsugi Saotome

Interview with Tomiki Aikido of the Americas Cofounder Robert Dziubla: Tomiki Aikido on the International Stage, Part I

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Robert Dziubla entered the martial arts out of necessity, studying both aikido and karate as a teenager. In an effort to earn his black belt, he traveled to Japan in the early 1970s, training directly under Tomiki aikido founder Kenji Tomiki. Later, Tomiki tasked Dziubla with spreading Tomiki Aikido and the ensuing interview is his … Continue reading Interview with Tomiki Aikido of the Americas Cofounder Robert Dziubla: Tomiki Aikido on the International Stage, Part I