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 II
Tag: kata
Interview with Longtime UK Kenshi and Historian Paul Budden: Kendo’s Varied History and its International Future, Part I
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
A Layman’s Observation: The Importance of Kamae
While at fencing, I opted to work with the epee after training primarily with foil for several months. I was looking for something different – a spur of the moment choice. Throughout the practice, I was surprised at how effective my advances were, especially for a weapon I have not trained in some time. To … Continue reading A Layman’s Observation: The Importance of Kamae
Creative Anachronism in Japanese Martial Arts: Preserving the Past Through Practice by Michael Martin
Creative anachronism is more than nostalgia; it’s the pointed revival of historical practices in the modern world, imbued with symbolic resonance, ritual, and performance. Like costumed historical reenactors staging battles for educational or cultural impact, practitioners of budō, or traditional Japanese martial arts, engage in reenactment through their uniforms, weapons, customs, and values. In the … Continue reading Creative Anachronism in Japanese Martial Arts: Preserving the Past Through Practice by Michael Martin
Uncovering Diverse Career Pathways for Martial Arts Enthusiasts by Michael Martin
Martial arts, with their deep roots in ancient combat training, have undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into diverse and multifaceted practices that extend beyond the battlefield into modern sports, recreational activities, and a variety of professional careers. From their origins in ancient cultures such as China, Japan, Korea, and Greece, where martial arts were developed … Continue reading Uncovering Diverse Career Pathways for Martial Arts Enthusiasts by Michael Martin
Interview with Longtime Jukido Jujutsu Student Jenelle Codianne: The Fighting Spirit in Martial Arts Training
In joining her family member on their research of local martial art schools, Jenelle Codianne stepped into Florida Jukido Academy and has not looked back once. Intrigued by the self-defense and the endless journey a martial art offers, Codianne fell in love with the art and began enjoying the challenging training sessions led by George … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Jukido Jujutsu Student Jenelle Codianne: The Fighting Spirit in Martial Arts Training
Interview with Longtime Ninjutsu Practitioner Jeffery Prather: From Special Forces to Everyday Life
Jeffery Prather first began karate before finding ninjutsu from the Bujinkan. After earning a shodan in karate and an epic fight later, Prather found ninjutsu and started to study under Stephen Hayes, traveling long distances to learn this new art. When Hayes brought over Masaaki Hatsumi from Japan, Prather’s interest soared. Staying under the tutelage … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Ninjutsu Practitioner Jeffery Prather: From Special Forces to Everyday Life
Reflecting on John Steven’s The Way of Judo
Stevens, John. The Way of Judo: A Portrait of Jigoro Kano and His Students. Boston: Shambhala Publications, Inc, 2013 I had been wanting to read more about Jigoro Kano for a while now, however, I was always wary of the few biographies published in English because of the reviews relating how incomplete they were. It … Continue reading Reflecting on John Steven’s The Way of Judo
Interview with Longtime Ninjutsu Practitioner Lee Relf: Bujinkan Ninjutsu
The Japanese Ninja boom of the 1980s left a mark on Lee Relf, so much so that he sought out ninjutsu. He found it in Arizona with Peter Crocoll and quickly enjoyed what he was learning. Since then, Relf has trained with numerous instructors from Japan and Europe and opened his Bujinkan Seitaku Dojo. Today, … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Ninjutsu Practitioner Lee Relf: Bujinkan Ninjutsu
Interview with Longtime Naginata Practitioner Juan Hernandez: Learning and Growth Under Helen Nakano
Juan Hernandez first heard of naginata in a local newspaper and planned to find a local dojo. Unfortunately, he was offered a job and had to relocate. Years later, he moved back to Long Beach, California and finally searched for a naginata class and found one under Helen Nakano. Hernandez has studied diligently under Nakano, … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Naginata Practitioner Juan Hernandez: Learning and Growth Under Helen Nakano









