Interview with Sean Hannon of Castle Rock AIKIDO
1. Who is the dojo's founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making? Founded in 2007 by Dr. Sean Hannon, Castle Rock AIKIDO has a very unique origin. Unlike almost all other martial arts schools, our school was founded by a white belt! That is, Sean had trained Japanese Aikido at numerous dojos around the US throughout his 20s, but due to a number of moves and career changes, he was unable to make much progress attaining rank. Then in 2006, Sean injured his spine so severely that he was ...
Interview with Sensei Ronald Nilo of Shuseikan
1. Who is the dojo's founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making? The founder of Shuseikan is Sensei Ronald Nilo and his first four (4) students. The origin of Shuseikan can be traced back some time in September 1997 when Roel Santos, Ronnie Nilo, Joel Astronomia and David Reyes approached Nilo Sensei and requested for instruction in Aikido. At first Nilo Sensei had second thoughts. The idea of becoming an instructor never before came into his mind. When he started studying Aikido on March 29, 1993, his intention was ...
Interview with Dan Fujikawa-Greig of New Zealand Mugai Ryu Iai Hyodo Dojo
1. Who is the dojo's founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making? I founded the dojo after coming back from living in Japan for 6 years in 2006. Before coming back to New Zealand I started to look for a good Iaido dojo and found none in Christchurch and only one other good dojo in the whole of the South Island. After several months of long e-mails back and forth to the New Zealand Kendo Renmei, I realised that if I were to train as we train in Japan and ...
Interview with Dr. Leland Cseke of UA-Huntsville Bujinkan Dôjô
1. Who is the dojo's founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making? The UA-Huntsville Bujinkan Dôjô was founded in 2002 by Dr. Leland Cseke (presently a 6th Dan, Shidoshi). Our Dôjô is affiliated with the University of Michigan Bujinkan Dôjô run by Shihan Michael Asuncion (15th Dan). The Dôjô was founded due to our commitment to the correct transmission and preservation of the Bujinkan martial arts (see next question). 2. What forms of Japanese martial arts do you teach in your school? Can you please share with us the history ...
Interview with Kyoshi Terrell D. Lambert of Ji Kai Martial Arts
1. Who is the dojo's founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making? I started Ji Kai Martial Arts in 1992. I have taught in the Mobile area at several locations. I started teaching because of a promise to Soke Shogo Kuniba. I along with others promised a dying man that we would keep his art alive. Soke Shogo Kuniba taught the most complete art that I have been exposed to. I had been asked to teach on several occasions before then, but wouldn't commit to a set schedule. 2. What forms of ...
Interview with Sean Hannon of Castle Rock AIKIDO
1. Who is the dojo’s founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making? Founded in 2007 by Dr. Sean Hannon, Castle Rock AIKIDO has a very unique origin. Unlike almost all other martial arts schools, our school was founded by a white belt! That is, Sean had trained Japanese Aikido at numerous dojos around the US throughout his 20s, but due to... [Read more about this property]
Interview with Sensei Ronald Nilo of Shuseikan
1. Who is the dojo’s founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making? The founder of Shuseikan is Sensei Ronald Nilo and his first four (4) students. The origin of Shuseikan can be traced back some time in September 1997 when Roel Santos, Ronnie Nilo, Joel Astronomia and David Reyes approached Nilo Sensei and requested for instruction in Aikido.... [Read more about this property]
Interview with Dan Fujikawa-Greig of New Zealand Mugai Ryu Iai Hyodo Dojo
1. Who is the dojo’s founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making? I founded the dojo after coming back from living in Japan for 6 years in 2006. Before coming back to New Zealand I started to look for a good Iaido dojo and found none in Christchurch and only one other good dojo in the whole of the South Island. After several months of long... [Read more about this property]
Interview with Dr. Leland Cseke of UA-Huntsville Bujinkan Dôjô
1. Who is the dojo’s founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making? The UA-Huntsville Bujinkan Dôjô was founded in 2002 by Dr. Leland Cseke (presently a 6th Dan, Shidoshi). Our Dôjô is affiliated with the University of Michigan Bujinkan Dôjô run by Shihan Michael Asuncion (15th Dan). The Dôjô was founded due to our commitment... [Read more about this property]
Interview with Kyoshi Terrell D. Lambert of Ji Kai Martial Arts
1. Who is the dojo’s founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making? I started Ji Kai Martial Arts in 1992. I have taught in the Mobile area at several locations. I started teaching because of a promise to Soke Shogo Kuniba. I along with others promised a dying man that we would keep his art alive. Soke Shogo Kuniba taught the most complete... [Read more about this property]
Interview with Sensei Neeraj Dhawan of JKA WF Chicago karate Institute, Inc.
1. Who is the dojo’s founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making? The JKA WF Chicago karate Institute, Inc., was founded in July 2008. Sensei Neeraj Dhawan is the Director and Chief Instructor of the Dojo. Born in New Delhi, India, Sensei Dhawan started travelling from the age of 3. His childhood was spent in North Africa, where he started... [Read more about this property]
Interview with Anshu Christa Jacobson of Budo Ryu Ninjutsu Dojo
1. Who is the dojo’s founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making? I founded the Budo Ryu Ninjutsu Dojo back in 2004, I wanted to bring back the tradition of Japanese Bujutsu, something that I felt has been lost in the modern world. To do this I established the Budo Ryu Ninjutsu Dojo, meaning School of the Japanese Warriors Ways of Stealth.... [Read more about this property]
Interview with Mike Reina of Bujinkan Bukeyashiki Dojo
1. Who is the dojo founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making? Bujinkan Bukeyashiki Dojo was started back in the late 90’s as a shibu (training group) by Mike Reina, with only 2 students. Classes were held in his basement with just barely enough room to roll from one end to the other. When the weather permitted classes were held outside in... [Read more about this property]
Interview with Dunken Francis of the Institute of Aikido Auckland
1. Who is the dojo’s founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making? We have two dojos – one in the north of Auckland (New Zealand) and a brand new, fulltime dojo which we have built on my property in Silverdale, about 20 minutes north of Auckland City. The new dojo is built from a converted barn and we are lucky enough to now have... [Read more about this property]
Interview with Matjaž Dobravec of Shodokan dojo
1. Who is the dojo’s founder and what prompted him/her to build the school? Is there any rich history behind its making? The founder of the Shodokan dojo is sensei Matjaž Dobravec who has trained aikido since 1993. In 1999 the dojo joined Aikido Association International, then headed by shihan Fumio Toyoda. The dojo has grown steadily since then. We are currently one of the largest aikido dojos... [Read more about this property]