Interview with Zen Bu Kan Chief Iaido Instructor Jason Hankins: Iaido’s Holistic Benefit Part II

13 Oct 20222 Nov 2022 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

After studying Kung Fu for several years and moving from Dallas, Texas to Salt Lake City, Utah, Jason Hankins was looking to continue his training. By chance, he found a flier for iaido at a local store and took a chance, eventually learning from Jules Harris, helping establish Zen Bu Kan. In 2002, Harris left … Continue reading Interview with Zen Bu Kan Chief Iaido Instructor Jason Hankins: Iaido’s Holistic Benefit Part II

Interview with Kendo Renshi David Yotsuuye: Influential Kenshi in the Pacific Northwest

29 Sep 20212 Nov 2022 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

David Yotsuuye began kendo training while he was a Boy Scout under the tutelage of Rod Omoto, Mas Tanabe, and Yosh Tanabe. Picking the art back up while attending the University of Washington, he has not stopped training since. Today, he currently teaches with Jeff Marsten at Bellevue Kendo Dojo. All images provided by David … Continue reading Interview with Kendo Renshi David Yotsuuye: Influential Kenshi in the Pacific Northwest

History of the Obukan Kendo Dojo

21 Dec 20202 Nov 2022 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ Leave a comment

The history of the Obukan Kendo Dojo is an interesting one. After interviewing a few members of the dojo, it seemed appropriate to pen a brief history of the dojo from its first establishment in 1926 to the present day. Officially, the Obukan began teaching kendo in 1926, however, the school has its roots even … Continue reading History of the Obukan Kendo Dojo

Interview with Longtime Kenshi Tom Bolling: Kendo in the Pacific Northwest, Part II

28 Oct 20202 Nov 2022 ~ Antonio Aloia ~ 1 Comment

Beginning his kendo training in the late 1970s, Tom Bolling saw the kendo community of the Pacific Northwest grow. He currently teaches at a number of kendo clubs in the Washington area. Bolling took some time from his busy teaching schedule to talk to us about the growth of kendo in the Pacific Northwest, notable … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kenshi Tom Bolling: Kendo in the Pacific Northwest, Part II

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

30 Sep 20202 Nov 2022 ~ 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 II

5 Jun 20202 Nov 2022 ~ 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 second part of the interview, Stroud discusses his kendo journey, his time as head instructor of … Continue reading Interview with Robert Stroud: Kendo in Pacific Northwest and Mountain Regions of the United States Part II

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

3 Jun 20202 Nov 2022 ~ 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