Okamoto sensei was in San Francisco for the January seminar which, historically, was the time Yamada sensei made his annual visit. It was a well-attended seminar with instructors from Mexico City and Montreal in attendance. Mike Napoli, Russ Gorman, Oscar Johnson and I represented Portland Aikikai. Okamoto sensei focused on connection and presented very fewContinue reading “OKAMOTO SHIHAN SEMINAR 2025”
Tag Archives: Okamoto
MULLIGAN SENSEI WORKSHOP 2022
A much belated post on Mulligan sensei’s returned to Portland for a workshop weekend March 5 & 6, 2022. It was a welcome return to seminar training! On Saturday, he covered two basic forms of entry (ashi sabaki) as a precursor to the disarm class on Sunday. My subsequent classes were an homage to MulliganContinue reading “MULLIGAN SENSEI WORKSHOP 2022”
KINKAKU-JI
In July 1950, Hayahi Yoken, a 22-year old novice monk, set fire to Kinkaku-ji, 金閣寺, the Golden Pavilion. In the smoldering aftermath, Japan confronted the unnerving question: why destroy beauty? At his trial, Yoken showed no remorse, saying only that his “hatred of all beauty” compelled him. Yukio Mishima seized on this confession for hisContinue reading “KINKAKU-JI”
Protective Arts 