Howard Wray found judo through a night school where Al Wallace was teaching. Wallace would take his students down to Philadelphia and introduce them to his instructor, Takahiko Ishikawa. From then on, Wray began to learn from both judo men. In this conversation in the summer of 2023, Wray recalls how Ishikawa structured his classes … Continue reading Howard Wray on Judo and Training with Takahiko Ishikawa, Part I
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 I
By chance, a young John Unruh found himself speaking to judo champion Takahiko Ishikawa in the summer of 1965. In a matter of minutes, Unruh sensed something magical about Ishikawa and quickly joined the school and never looked back. Today, Unruh took some time to talk about the teaching methodologies Ishikawa employed and the legacies … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Judoka John Unruh: The Magic of Takahiko Ishikawa
By accident, I came across this book while exploring social media. With a title that includes “You’re Doing It Wrong!” was bound to promote a reaction. It did, and I wanted to find out what Prince Gharios had to say about the current state of aikido and how to pull the art from the brink … Continue reading A Response to Prince Gharios’ Aikido: You’re Doing It Wrong!
Bob Karr began learning judo at the age of thirteen in Ardmore, Pennsylvania. There, he met Thomas Blair, Joe Condello, Howie Wray, and many others. Within a year, Karr began to train with Takahiko Ishikawa in Philadelphia. As he trained under Ishikawa, Karr got to meet and practice with many strong and soon to be … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Takahiko Ishikawa Student Bob Karr: The Impact of a Legend, Part I
When the concept of aiki arises within the aikido paradigm, many practitioners default to a variety of sources; pointing directly to the founder, Morihei Ueshiba, to different Daito-ryu forms and practitioners, or to the more internal energy-leaning teachings, like zazen, across the martial arts’ resource community. Aiki, by definition, “usually refers to the principle of … Continue reading By Example: Aiki in Real-Time Application from Judo Master Takahiko Ishikawa
Michael Sanders first began longsword almost half a decade ago and wanted to find something he could train during the summer months, without dying inside the sparring gear. He stumbled on Bartitsu, a Victorian-era martial art blending self-defense, striking, and grappling techniques, and has yet to look back. Sanders sat down to share his insights … Continue reading Interview with Bartitsu Practitioner Michael Sanders: Learning a System that Practices What it Preaches
In a recent editorial, we discussed some of the possibilities that can develop after rote kata and renshu training – more specifically, scenario training. Scenario training, in short, is an expanded approach that works to help aikidoka apply what they have learned in kata and renshu training: the basic movements, techniques, and principles of aikido. … Continue reading Implementing Competition-Like Exercises in Aikido Training
In joining her family member on their research of local martial art schools, Jenelle Codianne stepped into Florida Jukido Academy and has not looked back once. Intrigued by the self-defense and the endless journey a martial art offers, Codianne fell in love with the art and began enjoying the challenging training sessions led by George … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Jukido Jujutsu Student Jenelle Codianne: The Fighting Spirit in Martial Arts Training
Doug Bedsaul found Akayama-Ryu Jujutsu after training in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Judo. In 2024, Bedsaul assumed the mantle of Headmaster with the passing of Mark Barlow. Today, Bedsaul took some time to discuss his vision for expanding the reach of Akayama-Ryu, the importance of quality instruction, and how the system continues to evolve through rigorous … Continue reading Interview with Akayama Ryu Jujutsu Headmaster Doug Bedsaul: History, Application, and Future
Martial Arts of Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow 