Page 47 - Martial Science Magazine Feb/2014 #1

When and how did you come to the practice of
martial arts?

I first discovered martial arts in 1965 when my older
brother took me to Judo classes at UC Berkeley. We
practiced falls for a season or two and then stopped
due to economics. I did not practice martial arts
again until I graduated from Arizona State Univer-
sity in 1978. I then joined a group of 20 at the local
Police Athletic League (PAL) in Prescott, Arizona in
a weekly ritual of practicing hand and foot techni-
ques known at that time as Korean Karate.

What motivated you to practice martial arts?

There are many reasons why I wanted to practice the
martial arts. Although the main reason was that I
enjoyed the physical and mental discipline it offered.
Since I also was a hyper active person I could easi-
ly put in 1000s of extra punches and kicks without
fatigue. The more I practiced the more motivated I
became. I would read and re-read Black Belt Maga-
zine and say to myself, “One day…One day.”

Why choose the sword as your ultimate weapon?

During my training I was able to understand the te-
chniques and perfect them at a faster rate. My ins-
tructor recognized my strengths and started me on
the various weapons offered at that time. I began
with the three sectional staff, then onto the tonfa, sai,
kama and staff. Upon gaining an understanding of
these weapons I was then introduced to the sword,
which fit my hand the best. This is where I became
more motivated thus increasing my workout times to
about 3 hours a day.

When do you decide to go and live in Japan?

Several years later in 1984, I developed a sudden
urge to take off for Japan and learn the sword from
the masters. I was introduced to Nihon Taiiku Dai-
gaku (Sport Science Japan University), known as the
West Point of martial arts universities. Its Spartan
training was just the medicine I needed.

At first, the going was tough since they practiced

FEBRUARY/2014 47