Tag: Hombu Dojo

Interview with Korinji Founder Meido Moore: Being the Uchi Deshi of Fumio Toyoda, Part II

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Meido Moore began aikido as a way to complement his Buddhist studies in college. After training at an Indian monastery and returning to New Jersey, he met Fumio Toyoda at a seminar. There, Moore was enamored with Toyoda’s approach to both aikido and Zen and found himself quickly moving to Chicago, Illinois to be Toyoda’s … Continue reading Interview with Korinji Founder Meido Moore: Being the Uchi Deshi of Fumio Toyoda, Part II

Interview with Rockland Aikido Founder Glen Matsuda: Fumio Toyoda and the Early Days

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Glen Matsuda began training aikido in 1970 at the Illinois Aikido Club. In four years, he would follow his local teacher in the transition to Ki Society and it was there that he found Fumio Toyoda. Today, Matsuda talks about his journey with Toyoda, the forming of the Aikido Association of America, Toyoda’s teaching methodology, … Continue reading Interview with Rockland Aikido Founder Glen Matsuda: Fumio Toyoda and the Early Days

Interview with Aikido Author Liese Klein: Aikido’s Strengths and Weaknesses, Part II

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Liese Klein first stepped onto the mat after one of her friends cajoled her to tag along in 1989. She liked Aikido enough that she found a dojo when she moved to Florida. She then spent the better part of her Aikido career training with Kazuo Chiba and moved to Japan to train at Hombu … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Author Liese Klein: Aikido’s Strengths and Weaknesses, Part II

Interview with Aikido Author Liese Klein: Aikido’s Strengths and Weaknesses, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ 1 Comment

Liese Klein first stepped onto the mat after one of her friends cajoled her to tag along in 1989. She liked Aikido enough that she found a dojo when she moved to Florida. She then spent the better part of her Aikido career training with Kazuo Chiba and moved to Japan to train at Hombu … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Author Liese Klein: Aikido’s Strengths and Weaknesses, Part I

Interview with Chushinkan Dojo Founder James Nakayama: Fumio Toyoda and His Legacy

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James Nakayama first started training judo at the age of seven. Years later, an uncle told him about aikido.  He soon enrolled into Orange County Aiki Kai, and has not stopped practicing since. In the 1970s, he met Fumio Toyoda and was captivated by his style and approach. It was not until the 1990s, after … Continue reading Interview with Chushinkan Dojo Founder James Nakayama: Fumio Toyoda and His Legacy

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Bob Toabe: Training Under Mitsunari Kanai, Part I

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In 1974, Bob Toabe stepped onto the mats of Shodokan to learn aikido under Fred Newcomb. Mitsunari Kanai, Newcomb’s instructor and New England Aikikai founder, made the trip on the last Friday of each month to teach. When Toabe enrolled into Boston University, he was able to train at both Shodokan and New England Aikikai, … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Bob Toabe: Training Under Mitsunari Kanai, Part I

Interview with Aikido of Madison Cofounders Robin Cooper and John Stone: Their Journey Through Aikido and Beyond, Part III

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Both Robin Cooper and John Stone started aikido at the same time, beginning their study in a dojo affiliated with Akira Tohei. After moving to California in the late 1970s, both of them trained with a variety of aikidoka and schools, ranging from Frank Doran, Bob Bryner, Bob Nadeau, and Bill Witt, to LA Aikikai … Continue reading Interview with Aikido of Madison Cofounders Robin Cooper and John Stone: Their Journey Through Aikido and Beyond, Part III

Interview with Sunday Morning Keiko Founder Rick Hotton: Karate, Aikido, and Body Intelligence, Part III

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Rick Hotton began training Shotokan Karate in the early 1970s, being one of the youngest practitioners to join the dojo. After taking responsibility for the dojo he once trained in, curiosity led him to aikido pioneer Mitsugi Saotome, who, to Hotton, is his best karate teacher. Today, Hotton discusses his karate journey, how Saotome influenced … Continue reading Interview with Sunday Morning Keiko Founder Rick Hotton: Karate, Aikido, and Body Intelligence, Part III

Interview With Aikido of Monterey Dojo-Cho Danielle Smith: Aikido in Northern California, Part II

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Danielle Smith began training under Stanley Pranin in 1973, eventually taking over Pranin’s Aikido of Monterey three years later. As she continued through her aikido journey, she had the opportunity to experience many different early instructors, like Frank Doran, Mary Heiny, Linda Holiday, and Motomichi Anno. She also trained in Hakko-ryu Jujutsu, Seibukan Jujutsu, and … Continue reading Interview With Aikido of Monterey Dojo-Cho Danielle Smith: Aikido in Northern California, Part II

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Kiyoshi Yasutake: His Time With Midwest Pioneer Akira Tohei

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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 his time … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Kiyoshi Yasutake: His Time With Midwest Pioneer Akira Tohei