Tag: Kendo in America

Interview with Ken-Zen Founder and Kenshi Daniel Ebihara: The Beginning of the Journey

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Daniel Ebihara first started kendo while he was a youngster in Japan but did not show much interest in it until he moved to New York and sparred a European fencer at a party. Spurred by his new friend and student, Ebihara searched for a certified kendo instructor, finding a Buddhist minister Rev. Shunshin Kan … Continue reading Interview with Ken-Zen Founder and Kenshi Daniel Ebihara: The Beginning of the Journey

Interview with Mushinkan Dojo Founder Mark Uchida: Training with Giants, Part II

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Mark Uchida first saw Chūshingura when he was a child and was immediately hooked on Japanese swordsmanship. Unfortunately, he never really found a place to train until 1973. From there, he dived deeply into both kendo and iaido, which he started learning a year after kendo. He would later become the first head of the … Continue reading Interview with Mushinkan Dojo Founder Mark Uchida: Training with Giants, Part II

Interview with Mushinkan Dojo Founder Mark Uchida: Training with Giants, Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Mark Uchida first saw Chūshingura when he was a child and was immediately hooked on Japanese swordsmanship. Unfortunately, he never really found a place to train until 1973. From there, he dived deeply into both kendo and iaido, which he started learning a year after kendo. He would later become the first head of the … Continue reading Interview with Mushinkan Dojo Founder Mark Uchida: Training with Giants, Part I

Interview with Longtime Kenshi Jim Dixon: Nobuto Omoto and Kendo Politics

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Rob Nobuto Omoto left a big impression of a young Jim Dixon after teaching a class at the Seattle Kendo Kai. Throughout his kendo training, Dixon always returned back to Omoto’s teachings and kept in contact often. Where Dixon went, Hawaii, New York, California, New Mexico, he always found a way to practice kendo and … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kenshi Jim Dixon: Nobuto Omoto and Kendo Politics

Interview with DFWKIK Historian David Cooper: Reminiscing About the Past and Kendo

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David Cooper started later in life, but he was committed. From the beginning, Cooper enrolled in both kendo and iaido, training them side-by-side. He enjoyed both arts that Dallas-Fort Worth Kendo and Iaido Kyokai offered, where he is currently the historian. Today, Cooper walked us through the history of kendo and iaido in the Dallas/Fort … Continue reading Interview with DFWKIK Historian David Cooper: Reminiscing About the Past and Kendo

Interview with Zen Bu Kan Chief Iaido Instructor Jason Hankins: Iaido’s Holistic Benefit Part II

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After studying Kung Fu for several years and moving from Dallas, Texas to Salt Lake City, Utah, Jason Hankins was looking to continue his training. By chance, he found a flier for iaido at a local store and took a chance, eventually learning from Jules Harris, helping establish Zen Bu Kan. In 2002, Harris left … Continue reading Interview with Zen Bu Kan Chief Iaido Instructor Jason Hankins: Iaido’s Holistic Benefit Part II

Interview with Zen Bu Kan Chief Iaido Instructor Jason Hankins: Iaido’s Holistic Benefit Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

After studying Kung Fu for several years and moving from Dallas, Texas to Salt Lake City, Utah, Jason Hankins was looking to continue his training. By chance, he found a flier for iaido at a local store and took a chance, eventually learning from Jules Harris, helping establish Zen Bu Kan. In 2002, Harris left … Continue reading Interview with Zen Bu Kan Chief Iaido Instructor Jason Hankins: Iaido’s Holistic Benefit Part I

Interview with Kenshi Joshua Bogin: The Virginia Tech Kendo Club

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Joshua Bogin found his way into the Virginia Tech Kendo Club through his practices at Koryo in Richmond. From there, he became a critical part of the club, even after his graduation. Throughout his years in connection with the club, Joshua began hearing stories of an earlier time, when the club first started. Today, he … Continue reading Interview with Kenshi Joshua Bogin: The Virginia Tech Kendo Club

Interview with Longtime Kenshi Masaharu Makino: Kendo and University

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Masaharu Makino began training kendo in Japan at a young age, later joining the Kagoshima Police Department, continuing his training. In the late 1970s, Masaharu relocated to Los Angeles, taking an administrative role in both the All United States Kendo Federation and the Southern California Kendo Organization. With the help of his son, Nathan, he … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kenshi Masaharu Makino: Kendo and University

Interview with New Mexico Kendo Kai Founder Davis Begay: Maki Miyahara’s Influence

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Davis Begay began his kendo training while he was in Japan, serving with the Marine Corp Air Station in Iwakuni. He later found a club at the University of New Mexico upon his return stateside, subsequently taking over the club and practice. That soon became the basis for his New Mexico Kendo Kai, receiving much … Continue reading Interview with New Mexico Kendo Kai Founder Davis Begay: Maki Miyahara’s Influence