Tag: Japanese Swordsmanship

Interview with Byakkokan Dojo Founder Sang Kim: Toyama-ryu in the United States, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Sang Kim began studying battodo at the age of eighteen, after being inspired by Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles at a young age. What also helped him join was the fact that he used to hang out consistently at Bob Elder’s East Coast Martial Arts Supplies. From there, he joined the Toyama-ryu battodo dojo at Shindai … Continue reading Interview with Byakkokan Dojo Founder Sang Kim: Toyama-ryu in the United States, Part I

Interview with Ninja Historian Antony Cummins: The Ninja, Samurai, and Japanese Swordsmanship

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

The ninja struck a chord with many Western admirers and Antony Cummins was no exception. When he got his chance, he enrolled in the Bujinkan Hombu Dojo in Noda, Japan, but some things were not adding up correctly. This skepticism ultimately led him to finding his research team and researching deeply into the historical ninja, … Continue reading Interview with Ninja Historian Antony Cummins: The Ninja, Samurai, and Japanese Swordsmanship

Reflecting on Shambhala’s Guide to Kendo

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Kiyota, Minoura. The Shambhala Guide to Kendo: An Essential Introduction to the Principles of the Japanese Art of Swordsmanship. Boston, Mass.: Shambhala Publications, 1995. After finishing Alexander Bennet’s Kendo: Culture of the Sword, I searched for another book that covered some of the same topics and themes. Finally, I came across professor Minoru Kiyota’s Kendo … Continue reading Reflecting on Shambhala’s Guide to Kendo