Kendo in Hawaii: Abridged

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

Reflecting on Joseph Svinth’s Getting a Grip

Svitnh, Joseph. Getting A Grip: Judo in the Nikkei Communities of the Pacific Northwest, 1900-1950. Guelph: EJMAS, 2003. Martial arts historian Joseph Svinth tackles the immense task of chronicling the foundation and growth of judo in the Pacific Northwest for the first fifty years of the twentieth century. Splitting his book into two parts – … Continue reading Reflecting on Joseph Svinth’s Getting a Grip

Interview with Seattle Kendo Kai Head Instructor Doug Imanishi: Kendo in the Pacific Northwest, Part I

Beginning his training at a young age, Doug Imanishi took up kendo in a way to win a newspaper sword match with his older cousin when they played. From there, his desire to train kendo grew, as did his family membership in the art. In 2004, he took over Seattle Kendo Kai,the one his grandfather … Continue reading Interview with Seattle Kendo Kai Head Instructor Doug Imanishi: Kendo in the Pacific Northwest, Part I

Interview with Martial Arts Historian Joseph Svinth: Martial History and EJMAS

Joseph Svinth began studying African and Middle Eastern history. He joined the Electronic Journal of Martial Arts and Sciences (EJMAS) as a writer and editor. In 2003, he released Getting a Grip, focusing on judo in the Japanese American communities of the Pacific Northwest. Similarly, Svinth worked with Martial Arts Studies proponent Thomas A. Green … Continue reading Interview with Martial Arts Historian Joseph Svinth: Martial History and EJMAS