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
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
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
This year began with wide horizons: a plan to expand our jujutsu coverage, deepen our editorial and historical writing, and finish a new book. While not every target was fully met, the year proved foundational. The work we completed, and the work we set in motion, positions the chronicle for an even stronger year ahead. … Continue reading A Year in Review: 2025
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 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
This is the second part of a two part article. Read the first part here. Returning to the United States After seemingly lending just enough assistance to the Shinai Kyogi movement, Mori returned to the United States in 1951, though, again, Okusa states that the kendo pioneer relocated to the United States the previous year. … Continue reading Torao Mori: The Wandering Kenshi, Part II
This is the first part of a two part article. Read the second part here. Introduction When I first engaged in kendo research, I initially started looking for the pioneers – the leading kenshi who popularized and solidified kendo here in the United States. It was a similar approach to my first book, Aikido Comes … Continue reading Torao Mori: The Wandering Kenshi, Part I
I recently watched a video where two martial artists discussed the topic of martial arts history. One of the hosts outright states that such a topic is “bullshit,” simply because it does not help one fight better, or apply a joint lock better, kick better, instill a certain frame of mind, or anything else for … Continue reading A Layman’s Observation: Martial Arts History Does Matter
Coming from a family who always trained kendo, Roxy Kubo entered the training hall at the age of four and has not left the community since. Under the tutelage of her stepfather, Arnold Fukutomi, Kubo trained and ultimately received two kantocho at two different World Kendo Championships. Today, Kubo took some time to talk about … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kenshi Roxy Kubo: Competing at the World Kendo Championships
Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 