After attending a Renaissance Faire and his son acquiring shinai, Geoff Underhill wanted to make sure that his son was safely swinging the sword. Inadvertently, Underhill found that the kendo classes offered by David Yang was something he wanted to do and joined the Princeton Kendo Dojo in 2006. During his time under Yang, he … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Iaidoka Geoff Underhill: Teaching Under David Yang
At the age of five, Sean Schenker enrolled into Kyokushin Karate and eventually found the spirit that the training instilled in its practitioners. That spirit stayed with him when he changed career paths, jumping into music full-time and leading a band. In 2011, Schenker opened his Fighting Spirit Karate across the way from where he … Continue reading Interview with Fighting Spirit Karate Founder Sean Schenker: The Spirit of Kyokushin Karate
What is the point of doing weapons work, especially what some may perceive as outdated weapons work? Not many people carry swords, sticks, staves, clubs, shields, bucklers, polearms, or even daggers. Not in 2024. Not in the developed world. While the practical applications of such weapons are not the most socially acceptable (or the easiest … Continue reading A Layman’s Observation: Weapons, Distance, and Application
After spending some time in Olympic Epee, Cang Snow wanted to find a sport that was both fun for the participant and the spectator. He set out to establish Lightspeed Saber League for just that. In the aftermath of the recent Covid pandemic, the League has grown, something which Snow is planning on continuing. Today, … Continue reading Interview with Lightspeed Saber League Founder Cang Snow: The Uniqueness of Light-Based Fencing
INTRODUCTION I would like to share my findings regarding the 3 KATA of the Bubishi. In this explanation, I will detail a Kata that contains all 48 illustrations from the Bubishi combative Kata. The Kata is known with provenance and also from a set of three, which is just the first coincidence. All the Illustrations … Continue reading Three Kata of the Bubishi by Simon Varnals
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 II
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
The jo; the short staff; a long stick. Not sharp but blunt. It can’t cut a limb off, but it can bludgeon and injure one, rendering the limb useless. However, several direct blows to the head could have a grave outcome as well. The jo is a weapon wielded in aikido training. But what do … Continue reading The Jo and Aikido by Antonio Aloia and Michael Aloia
Shigeshi Takei began training kendo while in middle school, later meeting Michihiro Nakashima through the late Atsushi Hori, and the two founded Studio City Kendo Dojo. Today, Takei spent some time today discussing his kendo journey. Special thanks to Carolyn Yatomi for proctoring this interview. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow: Hello and welcome … Continue reading Interview with Studio City Kendo Dojo Cofounder Shigeshi Takei: His Journey in Kendo
Beginning his Kenpo Karate career in 1967, Dennis Tosten soaked up what he learned from a myriad of martial arts, stretching from jujutsu to arnis and kung fu. Taking what he learned, he and his wife, Sharon, heads their Amerikick schools throughout the East Coast of America. Today, Tosten took some time to discuss Kenpo … Continue reading Interview with Kenpo Karate Pioneer Dennis Tosten: Kenpo Karate in Philadelphia
Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 