Tag: Portland

Interview with Obukan Head Instructor John Hancock: From Hawaii to Oregon

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Currently the head instructor of the Obukan Dojo in Portland Oregon, John Hancock began kendo training in 1986 in California, quickly moving to Hawaii to continue his training under James Oka. Heading to Portland in 1994, he became a student at the Obukan while Robert Stroud was head instructor until 2004. Today, Hancock discusses his … Continue reading Interview with Obukan Head Instructor John Hancock: From Hawaii to Oregon

Interview with Robert Stroud: Kendo in Pacific Northwest and Mountain Regions of the United States Part I

~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

Robert Stroud has been commuting between many kendo schools in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain regions of the United States since 1979, becoming one of the first non-Asian US kenshi to receive the rank of seventh dan. In this first part of the interview, Stroud discusses his kendo journey, his time at Noma Dojo in … Continue reading Interview with Robert Stroud: Kendo in Pacific Northwest and Mountain Regions of the United States Part I