In my piece “Combined motivations in kendo and iaido” (Zanshin, 2020-3), I wrote that when I searched for my “why” in kendo, I found that…
Combined motivations in kendo and iaido
In the last issue of Zanshin (2020-2), I wrote about the challenges of continuing your dō in these times of Corona. After its publication, many…
Three Warrior Queens
In answer to my feminist friends, I researched three inspiring Warrior Queens: Hua Mulan (4th to 6th century AD), Æthelflæd (c. 870-918), and Lakshmibai (1828-1858).…
Budoka in Quarantine
As a scholar and a musician, I can carry on with my work. Of course, things have changed – conferences became Zoom calls and concerts…
The dō less travelled by
A ‘90’s schoolyard, somewhere in Suburbia. The children are happily playing soccer, with their teachers as referees. But one chubby girl sits aside. She is…
Martial Arts Festival 2019
On February the 16th 2019, the third edition of the Martial Arts Festival in Utrecht will take place. Whether you are already practicing martial arts…
Budo books
Of course, when it comes to learning a martial art, nothing beats hard practise. But sometimes – if you suffer from an injury, for example,…