Tag: Kendo

Interview with Futabakai Founder Nobukazu Miura: Teaching Kendo and Iaido

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Nobukazu Miura first studied kendo as part of a physical education program in high school. After moving to North Carolina to open a Japanese restaurant, Miura restarted training kendo in 2000. He then relocated to Washington, DC, began teaching there, then moved to Pennsylvania and opened another Japanese restaurant. There, he met aikidoka Todd Kupper, … Continue reading Interview with Futabakai Founder Nobukazu Miura: Teaching Kendo and Iaido

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Bob Toabe: Training Under Mitsunari Kanai, Part II

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In 1974, Bob Toabe stepped onto the mats of Shodokan to learn aikido under Fred Newcomb. Mitsunari Kanai, Newcomb’s instructor and New England Aikikai founder, made the trip on the last Friday of each month to teach. When Toabe enrolled into Boston University, he was able to train at both Shodokan and New England Aikikai, … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Bob Toabe: Training Under Mitsunari Kanai, Part II

Interview with Longtime Naginata Practitioner Juan Hernandez: Learning and Growth Under Helen Nakano

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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

Interview with Longtime Iaidoka Geoff Underhill: Teaching Under David Yang

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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

Interview with Southern United States Kendo & Iaido Federation President Mark Kerstein: The Development of Kendo in Texas

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Mark Kerstein first started training in Taekwondo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin when he was 15 years old in 1970. He later moved to Houston, Texas in 1983, and after spending some time searching for an instructor, he found Darrell Craig at the Houston Budokan. After observing a Kendo practice, Kerstein was hooked and has spent over … Continue reading Interview with Southern United States Kendo & Iaido Federation President Mark Kerstein: The Development of Kendo in Texas

Interview with Longtime Daito-ryu Practitioner Eric Pearson: Finding the Aiki in Everything, Part I

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Eric Pearson first stared into the window at the practicing aikidoka during his smoke break at a local pizza shop, convincing himself that his kung fu skills would take out all of them. Then something inspired him to walk in for practice, and he never looked back. He began training under Russell Waddell and Chuck … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Daito-ryu Practitioner Eric Pearson: Finding the Aiki in Everything, Part I

Interview with Lightspeed Saber League Founder Cang Snow: The Uniqueness of Light-Based Fencing

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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

Interview with TAMU Kendo Kyokai Member Shiloh Bower: Kendo at University

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In the late spring of 2013, Shiloh Bower enrolled into the Austin Kendo Doshikai under the leadership of Tetsuo Komizu. Five years later, Bower decided to go to Texas A&M University for college and Komizu tasked him to “make A&M kendo great again!” With this task on his mind, he found the remnants of the … Continue reading Interview with TAMU Kendo Kyokai Member Shiloh Bower: Kendo at University

Interview with Starbird Academy Instructor Kat Laurange: All the Things!

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An avid Star Wars fan, it did not take a lot of convincing for Kat Laurange to try out light-based fencing with the now-defunct Kyber Combat. At the same time, she was training winged sabre with Russ Mitchell, who headed Starbird Saber Academy. In 2023, Laurange took over instructional responsibilities and, just like training in … Continue reading Interview with Starbird Academy Instructor Kat Laurange: All the Things!