Tag: Hawaii

Interview with Southwinds Aikido Founder Jimmie Villarreal: Karl Geis and Kihara Aikido

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It happened almost by accident. Jimmie Villarreal was on vacation when he saw aikido in action and was completely enamored with what he saw. Unfortunately, he had to wait until 1990 to find a school and that is where he found Karl Geis. Today, Villarreal talks about first meeting and later training under Geis, in … Continue reading Interview with Southwinds Aikido Founder Jimmie Villarreal: Karl Geis and Kihara Aikido

Kendo in Hawaii: Abridged

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This history is based on the Hawaiian kenshi interviews published through this chronicle, while using a handful of outside sources to provide historical or social context. This history, unfortunately, is not a complete one, however, it is one step closer to achieving a clearer picture of how the art evolved and changed on the Hawaiian … Continue reading Kendo in Hawaii: Abridged

Interview with Former Hawaii Kendo Federation President Kathleen Nekomoto: Her Time as President

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Kathleen Nekomoto began training kendo in 1990, under the guidance of Dick Okaji. She became a secretary for the Hawaii Kendo Federation, later serving as the organization’s president between 2008 to 2019. Teaching out of her Kenyukai Dojo, Nekomoto took some time to talk about her time as president of the Hawaii Kendo Federation. All … Continue reading Interview with Former Hawaii Kendo Federation President Kathleen Nekomoto: Her Time as President

Interview with Aikido Sangenkai Chief Instructor Christopher Li: Internal Martial Arts in Hawaii

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Aikido Sangenkai chief instructor Christopher Li began training aikido in the early 1980s under Mitsugi Saotome and Yoshimitsu Yamada, later traveling with the latter to Japan to train at Aikikai Hombu Dojo. By the 1990s, Li began to explore the internal power side of both aikido and the martial arts, ultimately affiliating with Dan Harden. … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Sangenkai Chief Instructor Christopher Li: Internal Martial Arts in Hawaii

Interview with Hawaiian Kenshi Garrett Matsumoto: The Kenshikan Kendo Dojo

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Garrett Matsumoto began training kendo at the age of seven at the behest of his parents, studying under the late Shigeo Yoshinaga. After taking a short break, he began training under Katsumi Yamada of Kenshikan Dojo. Presently, Matsumoto is the Chief Instructor of Kenshikan Dojo. Today, he took the time to discuss with us Shigeo … Continue reading Interview with Hawaiian Kenshi Garrett Matsumoto: The Kenshikan Kendo Dojo

Four Strikes with Hawaiian Kenshi Jack Yamada: The Kenshikan

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Jack Yamada began training kendo under his father, Katsumi Yamada, at a young age. His father headed the Kenshikan Dojo for two decades before passing the position to Garrett Matsumoto. Today, Jack Yamada talks about some of the history of Kenshikan and his father. All images provided by Jack Yamada. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, … Continue reading Four Strikes with Hawaiian Kenshi Jack Yamada: The Kenshikan

Interview with Longtime Hawaiian Kenshi Braxton Fukutomi: Continuing His Family’s Legacy

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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: Continuing His Family’s Legacy

Reflecting on Rod Nobuto Omoto’s Autobiography

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Omoto, Rod. ‎Autobiography of Rod Omoto, 2015. https://books.apple.com/ar/book/autobiography-of-rod-omoto/id883795766. As I started this adventure into Nobuto “Rod” Omoto’s life, I thought I would be learning more about his time in the Pacific Northwest and his adventures there. However, I was surprised to take part in another adventure, years before he stepped foot into the region. From … Continue reading Reflecting on Rod Nobuto Omoto’s Autobiography

Interview with Obukan Head Instructor John Hancock: From Hawaii to Oregon

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Currently the head instructor of the Obukan Dojo in Portland Oregon, John Hancock began kendo training in 1986 in California, quickly moving to Hawaii to continue his training under James Oka. Heading to Portland in 1994, he became a student at the Obukan while Robert Stroud was head instructor until 2004. Today, Hancock discusses his … Continue reading Interview with Obukan Head Instructor John Hancock: From Hawaii to Oregon