In 2023, I was in conversations with an intermediary to scheduling an interview with John Eley, one of the longest American students of Koichi Tohei and active member within the Ki Society. Unfortunately, the interview never materialized, however I was offered a previous interview Eley did in 2008. The quality is not the greatest, however, … Continue reading John Eley: Aikido in Chicago, Through His Eyes, Part II
Arriving at Takahiko Ishikawa’s Philadelphia dojo in July of 1968, Koji Shimada encountered a man whose courtesy and humility stood in stark contrast to his legendary status in Japanese judo. What began as formal instruction soon unfolded into a deeper education. In this conversation, Shimada offers a rare and honest perspective on Ishikawa’s years in … Continue reading Interview with Takahiko Ishikawa Student Koji Shimada: A Candid Look at the Judo Champion
Growing up close to Hadrian’s Wall – erected during Rome’s reign of the British Isles – Paul Budden found his interest in history. His interest of Japanese sword – born out of his love of history – led him into a kendo dojo and has not looked back since. Throughout his time in kendo, he … Continue reading Interview with Longtime UK Kenshi and Historian Paul Budden: Kendo’s Varied History and its International Future, Part I
Looking forward to 2026, it feels unreal that another year has ended and yet another has only begun. With new beginnings, goals are usually in order. Last year, I listed out a laundry list of goals that I only moderately reached, largely due to their scope and the time required to achieve them. This year, … Continue reading Goal Setting: 2026
Howard Wray found judo through a night school where Al Wallace was teaching. Wallace would take his students down to Philadelphia and introduce them to his instructor, Takahiko Ishikawa. From then on, Wray began to learn from both judo men. In this conversation in the summer of 2023, Wray recalls how Ishikawa structured his classes … Continue reading Howard Wray on Judo and Training with Takahiko Ishikawa, Part II
Howard Wray found judo through a night school where Al Wallace was teaching. Wallace would take his students down to Philadelphia and introduce them to his instructor, Takahiko Ishikawa. From then on, Wray began to learn from both judo men. In this conversation in the summer of 2023, Wray recalls how Ishikawa structured his classes … Continue reading Howard Wray on Judo and Training with Takahiko Ishikawa, Part I
By chance, a young John Unruh found himself speaking to judo champion Takahiko Ishikawa in the summer of 1965. In a matter of minutes, Unruh sensed something magical about Ishikawa and quickly joined the school and never looked back. Today, Unruh took some time to talk about the teaching methodologies Ishikawa employed and the legacies … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Judoka John Unruh: The Magic of Takahiko Ishikawa
Nestled in Midtown Reykjavik, you would pass the Aikikai Reykjavik Dojo if you did not know what you were looking for. After teaching and participating in an energetic class, Palmi Sinonarson and Marco Solimene sit down to talk about aikido’s foothold in Iceland, highlighting the importance of both local and international community and how that … Continue reading Interview with Aikikai Reykjavik Instructors Palmi Sinonarson and Marco Solimene: Iceland’s Aikido Roots
Bob Karr began learning judo at the age of thirteen in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. There, he met Thomas Blair, Joe Condello, Howie Wray, and many others. Within a year, Karr began to train with Takahiko Ishikawa in Philadelphia. As he trained under Ishikawa, Karr got to meet and practice with many strong and soon to be … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Takahiko Ishikawa Student Bob Karr: The Impact of a Legend, Part II
Bob Karr began learning judo at the age of thirteen in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. There, he met Thomas Blair, Joe Condello, Howie Wray, and many others. Within a year, Karr began to train with Takahiko Ishikawa in Philadelphia. As he trained under Ishikawa, Karr got to meet and practice with many strong and soon to be … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Takahiko Ishikawa Student Bob Karr: The Impact of a Legend, Part I
Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 