Yoko Okamoto – Protective Arts

WEAPON RETENTION

The banner image is a sobering reminder that retaining control of your weapon is imperative in close quarter combat. Primary weapons are always carried at the waist, thus the focus on chudan level. The ritual endures longer than the reason for it – try to deduce the martial logic behind the ritualistic rote repetition inContinue reading “WEAPON RETENTION”

PORTLAND AIKIDO EXPO 1997

As a participant, we were given a copy of the Expo from Susan Perry, Aikido Today Magazine’s Editor in Chief, who narrates. The full tape is longer than the excerpts I had in my records. The full participation list was:

YAMADA SENSEI SEMINAR – Portland Aikikai 1996

Bruce Bookman is seen as uke in Part 1 along with Ty Barker and Yoko Okamoto. In Part 2, Frank Apodaca who was the chief instructor at Multnomah Aikikai at the time is frequently taking ukeme for Yamada sensei.