That’s why I believe video is such a powerful tool for expressing martial concepts. This page features a wide variety of training tips, history, q&a, and demonstrations.
“In the dojo” features techniques and concepts with lots of demonstration. “In the office” features more contemplate discussions on martial ideas.
Kobudo Archives Video Series
Kobudo Archives Episode 1 – West Summit Trail
Living in Colorado, I am fortunate to have some of the best hiking, camping, and backpacking in the world all around me. It was only natural for me to take some of that time to do a little karate and kobudo. I usually keep my training pretty low key when out in public, but if I get a sense that I might have the trail alone…well why not!
I’ve always believed in the connectivity between nature and classical karate and kobudo training. Bill Hayes Sensei tells stories of how Shimabukuro Eizo Sensei emphasized the importance of training on the beach, and integrating the rhythms and attitudes of the water, the sand, and the sun. While martial arts are a very practical endeavor, they can also serve as a way to enter meditation and reflect inward, not just prepare outward. A connection to nature encourages that kind of inspection.
Please check out the first episode here, which takes place outside of a town called Steamboat Springs. The wildflowers were in full bloom, and it was great day for training.
In the future I’d like the Kobudo Archives series to contain more travel videos like this, but also historical exploration videos of different weapons, spotlight videos of different experts, and interviews with kobudo enthusiasts.
Special shout out to the web series Adventure Archives for giving me inspiration for the name and the hiking aspects of a video like this. Their videos are incredibly polished and engaging, so I recommend you follow them as well.
