Omoto-Ryu Kami-Jutsu: Spirit/Divine Art by Michael Martin

Note: This work of Useful Fiction offers an alternative narration of a spiritual martial art created from Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu to physically express the spiritual concepts of Omoto-kyo through a fictional collaboration between Onisaburo Deguchi, Morihei Ueshiba, and Omoto-kyo students. In the early 20th century, martial arts were viewed primarily as practical tools for self-defense or … Continue reading Omoto-Ryu Kami-Jutsu: Spirit/Divine Art by Michael Martin

By Example: Aiki in Real-Time Application from Judo Master Takahiko Ishikawa

When the concept of aiki arises within the aikido paradigm, many practitioners default to a variety of sources; pointing directly to the founder, Morihei Ueshiba, to different Daito-ryu forms and practitioners, or to the more internal energy-leaning teachings, like zazen, across the martial arts’ resource community. Aiki, by definition, “usually refers to the principle of … Continue reading By Example: Aiki in Real-Time Application from Judo Master Takahiko Ishikawa

Interview with Aikido Authors Bob Noha and Laurin Herr: Robert Nadeau and the Art of Transformation, Part II

Laurin Herr found himself training under Robert Nadeau after a company merger and spending time in Japan training under Michio Hikitsuchi in Shingu. Bob Noha, on the other hand, trained with Nadeau since he was a teenager. Herr, Noha, and four other students of Nadeau came together during the Covid Pandemic to co-author what is … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Authors Bob Noha and Laurin Herr: Robert Nadeau and the Art of Transformation, Part II

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

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

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

Interview with Granite State Aikido Club Founder Michel Hovan: Remembering Donovan Waite

After finishing schoolwork, Michael Hovan needed an activity to do and stumbled onto aikido through an international campus in 1981. For higher education and work, Hovan relocated multiple times, training under different instructors until he moved to New Jersey and met Donovan Waite in 1994. From then on, Hovan continued to train under Waite until … Continue reading Interview with Granite State Aikido Club Founder Michel Hovan: Remembering Donovan Waite

Interview with Shobu Aikido Founder William Gleason: The Spirituality Elements of Aikido

After training with Mitsunari Kanai for six months in Boston and meeting a relative of Seigo Yamaguchi, William Gleason relocated to Tokyo to train with Yamaguchi and explore the philosophical aspects of aikido. In 1980, he returned to Boston to establish Shobu Aikido and five years later, he joined Aikido Schools of Ueshiba headed by … Continue reading Interview with Shobu Aikido Founder William Gleason: The Spirituality Elements of Aikido

Interview with Tenshin Aikidoka John Araujo: The Balance Between Tenshin and Traditional

After starting Shotokan Karate and judo at a young age, John Araujo found aikido, feeling that it was time to explore this new art. He trained in traditional aikido for a decade until he sought out something more. Araujo searched and found Luis Santos in Florida. After participating in a grueling initiation and relearning process, … Continue reading Interview with Tenshin Aikidoka John Araujo: The Balance Between Tenshin and Traditional

Interview with Yushikan NYC Founder Rodrigo Kong: Aiki, Kokyu, and Daito-ryu, Part II

Rodrigo Kong had experienced aiki-based arts before but nothing like he felt when he trained with Shogen Okabayashi during a seminar in New York City. Totally enamored, Kong traveled to Japan to learn more about Daito-ryu and its aiki. Since returning from Japan, he has established his Yushinkan NYC and continued to train and teach … Continue reading Interview with Yushikan NYC Founder Rodrigo Kong: Aiki, Kokyu, and Daito-ryu, Part II

Interview with Yushikan NYC Founder Rodrigo Kong: Aiki, Kokyu, and Daito-ryu, Part I

Rodrigo Kong had experienced aiki-based arts before but nothing like he felt when he trained with Shogen Okabayashi during a seminar in New York City. Totally enamored, Kong traveled to Japan to learn more about Daito-ryu and its aiki. Since returning from Japan, he has established his Yushinkan NYC and continued to train and teach … Continue reading Interview with Yushikan NYC Founder Rodrigo Kong: Aiki, Kokyu, and Daito-ryu, Part I