Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Kiyoshi Yasutake: His Time With Midwest Pioneer Akira Tohei

17 Nov 20215 Nov 2021 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Kiyoshi Yasutake was Akira Tohei’s first student to go from white belt to black belt under him. Beginning in 1973, Yasutake took to aikido with much vigor, learning from and supporting Tohei in his many endeavors through the Midwest Aikido Center and the Midwest Aikido Federation. Today, Yasutake took some time to discuss his time … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Kiyoshi Yasutake: His Time With Midwest Pioneer Akira Tohei

Aikido Now by Walther von Krenner

27 May 202121 Jun 2021 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Just by way of introduction for those who do not know me and question my privilege to an opinion on this subject: after four years of judo, I started aikido in 1962, with Ueshiba Kisshomaru, Tohei Koichi, and Takahshi Isao Senseis. From early 1967, while O-Sensei was still alive, I trained at Hombu until his death. I … Continue reading Aikido Now by Walther von Krenner

Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Jane Ozeki: New York Aikikai and Family

12 May 202121 Jun 2021 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Jane Ozeki began her aikido journey in 1971, becoming a student under Yoshimitsu Yamada at his New York Aikikai. Today, we had the chance to talk with Ozeki, discussing what the training was like at the New York Aikikai, along with her family. All images provided by Jane Ozeki. Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today, and … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Aikidoka Jane Ozeki: New York Aikikai and Family

Interview with Californian Aikidoka Robert Noha: Aikido’s Spiritual Aspect

17 Feb 202121 Jun 2021 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ 1 Comment

Robert Noha began his aikido journey in 1966 and never looked back after finding a lifelong teacher and friend in Robert Nadeau. Under Nadeau’s guidance, Noha began to experience something more than the technical aspects of aikido – he began to see that the spiritual message left by O-Sensei would influence him for the rest … Continue reading Interview with Californian Aikidoka Robert Noha: Aikido’s Spiritual Aspect

Some Thoughts on Aikido and Budo by Walther von Krenner

8 Feb 202121 Jun 2021 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Every time I look at an Aikido dojo webpage or dojo advertising, I see O-Sensei’s sayings and ideas quoted, in most cases, out of context and without understanding of the real meaning. Since I was there and had sixty years to train and practice in this art, I feel entitled to an opinion and would … Continue reading Some Thoughts on Aikido and Budo by Walther von Krenner

Four Principles of Aikido

5 Feb 20218 Jan 2021 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

The following is an excerpt from my recent book, Aikido Comes to America. This originally appeared on Tambuli Media here. At the heart of aikido lies something more than just martial technique or a peaceful and harmonizing philosophy. What lies beneath the surface of normal and routine aikido training is budo – the martial way. … Continue reading Four Principles of Aikido

The Traditional Dojo by Walther von Krenner

29 Jan 202120 Dec 2020 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

In O-Sensei’s lectures, as many have seen in my previous writings, the circle is an important component. I remember the old Hombu Dojo in Shinjuku having a bronze mirror in the Tokonoma of the Kamiza. The round mirror represents the circle on the outside and the great void on its surface. It is present in … Continue reading The Traditional Dojo by Walther von Krenner

Reflecting on Walther von Krenner’s Following the Martial Path

18 Dec 202018 Nov 2020 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

von Krenner, Walther G., and Ken Jeremiah. Following the Martial Path: Lessons and Stories from a Lifetime of Training in Budo and Zen. Spring House, PA: Tambuli Media, 2016. After reading Walther von Krenner’s Atemi, I wanted to acquire more of his work to understand how he reached his conclusions in Atemi. Soon, I found … Continue reading Reflecting on Walther von Krenner’s Following the Martial Path

Interview with Aikido Shihan Bill Witt: Aikido’s Decline in the United States

14 Aug 202021 Jun 2021 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Bill Witt Sensei began training in aikido in 1967, under Ueshiba Morihei – O-Sensei – at Hombu Dojo in Tokyo. After O-Sensei passed away in 1969, Witt Sensei began training under Saito Morihiro Sensei in Iwama, Japan. He cofounded the Takemusu Aikido Association in 2002, based in California, and currently has been teaching at Aikido … Continue reading Interview with Aikido Shihan Bill Witt: Aikido’s Decline in the United States