Tag: Aikikai Hombu Dojo

Interview with Aikido World Alliance Founder Andrew Sato: Fumio Toyoda and Moving Forward, Part II

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

In the spirit of finding an activity to further connect with his Japanese ancestry, Andrew Sato found aikido through the help of two community members. After trying out a single class with Fumio Toyoda, Sato was hooked and proceeded to train relentlessly with Toyoda until the latter’s passing. In the aftermath, Sato, under the direction … Continue reading Interview with Aikido World Alliance Founder Andrew Sato: Fumio Toyoda and Moving Forward, Part II

Interview with Aikido World Alliance Founder Andrew Sato: Fumio Toyoda and Moving Forward, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

In the spirit of finding an activity to further connect with his Japanese ancestry, Andrew Sato found aikido through the help of two community members. After trying out a single class with Fumio Toyoda, Sato was hooked and proceeded to train relentlessly with Toyoda until the latter’s passing. In the aftermath, Sato, under the direction … Continue reading Interview with Aikido World Alliance Founder Andrew Sato: Fumio Toyoda and Moving Forward, Part I

Interview with Shodokan Instructor Bob Whelan: The Legacies of Mitsunari Kanai and Bernie Mulligan

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

After moving back to the Boston Area in 1977, Bob Whelan began training under Mitsunari Kanai in his New England Aikikai. There, he started to learn to steal the technique from Kanai. Later, Whelan trained under Bernie Mulligan at what is now Shodokan School of Martial Arts. As of now, Whelan continues the legacies of … Continue reading Interview with Shodokan Instructor Bob Whelan: The Legacies of Mitsunari Kanai and Bernie Mulligan

Interview with Bushikan Aikido Kai Founder Greg Sinclair: Searching for Functionality in Aikido

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

After starting out in the striking arts and getting into his fair share of fights, Greg Sinclair was trying to find something that would help him in situations where he was physically outmatched. He found aikido in 1992. After training for a number of years and by a lucky chance, Sinclair found himself learning directly … Continue reading Interview with Bushikan Aikido Kai Founder Greg Sinclair: Searching for Functionality in Aikido

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka George Ledyard: The Past and the Future of Aikido, Part II

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

During a time of anti-violent movements, George Ledyard stumbled upon an aikido demonstration while living in Washington DC. After watching the demonstration and talking with the leader of the group, Mitsugi Saotome, Ledyard was convinced to try out a class. From that moment, he was hooked. As the years went by, Ledyard trained in other … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka George Ledyard: The Past and the Future of Aikido, Part II

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka George Ledyard: The Past and the Future of Aikido, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

During a time of anti-violent movements, George Ledyard stumbled upon an aikido demonstration while living in Washington DC. After watching the demonstration and talking with the leader of the group, Mitsugi Saotome, Ledyard was convinced to try out a class. From that moment, he was hooked. As the years went by, Ledyard trained in other … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka George Ledyard: The Past and the Future of Aikido, Part I

Interview with Aikido Arts of Shin Budo Kai Founder Marc Abrams: Shizuo Imaizumi and His Ever-Changing Legacy

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

In 1988, Marc Abrams attended a class led by Shizuo Imaizumi at the suggestion of some friends. After attempting to attack Imaizumi for real, Abrams was completely surprised at the result and convinced him to continue training under Imaizumi. Abrams later became the intermediary between his instructor and the outside aikido world. Since Imaizumi retired … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Arts of Shin Budo Kai Founder Marc Abrams: Shizuo Imaizumi and His Ever-Changing Legacy

Interview with Aikido of Hilo Cofounder Robert Klein: Starting From Scratch and Friendship

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Robert Klein began aikido while at Stonybrook University, after some of his friends brought him to one of the classes. Immediately, he was hooked, even meeting his wife, Barbara, during training. He soon started travelling to Long Island Aikikai, studying under Eddie Hagihara. In 1980, he and Barbara moved to Hilo, Hawaii. There, the couple … Continue reading Interview with Aikido of Hilo Cofounder Robert Klein: Starting From Scratch and Friendship

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 Longtime Aikidoka John Bieszk: Fumio Toyoda in the Midwest, Part II

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

John Bieszk first started judo after going through not the nicest part of Chicago. After finding some time between schooling, he arrived at the Illinois Aikido Club under Akira Tohei. After taking a leave of absence due to college work, he found Fumio Toyoda in 1980 and he never stopped. Once he earned his shodan … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka John Bieszk: Fumio Toyoda in the Midwest, Part II