I am pleased to present to you the fruit of one of the most ambitious collaborations I have had the opportunity to undertake since I came to Japan. On this occasion, I brought together several Japanese weapons experts in order to gather their opinion on O Sensei's weapon practice, especially their origin, and the objectives he could have had by demonstrating them. I met with Alexander Bennett and Baptiste Tavernier of Kendo World, and Jordy Delage, the founder of Seido Co., Ltd. on YouTube's premises in Roppongi Hills and we shot over 3 hours of discussion.
The first part (published on my channel) presents videos of Ueshiba Morihei before the war. The subsequent parts deal with post-World War II and the religious connotation of the Ueshiba's practice and are published on the Kendo World and Seido channels, respectively.
- Playlist with the three parts
- Alex Bennett holds two doctoral degrees in budo-related studies, as well as the 7th dan in kendo and 5th dan in naginata. He is currently a professor in the International Affairs Division of Kansai University, where he teaches Japanese history and society. He also coached the New Zealand National Kendo Team. Alex is Vice President of the International Naginata Federation, Member of the International Committee of the Japan Kendo Federation, Director of the Japan Academy of Budo and Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Kendo World, the only English-language newspaper in the world dedicated to kendo.
- Baptiste Tavernier holds a master's degree in musicology. Since moving to Japan, he has done research at the National Budo University and the Japanese Budo Academy. He holds the ranks of 5th dan in tankendo, 4th dan injukendo, 4th dan in naginata and 2nd dan in battodo.
- Jordy Delage is the founder of the martial arts equipment company Seido Co., Ltd. He is one of the greatest specialists in Japanese weapons craftsmanship and he has produced numerous articles and documentaries to publicize this declining sector. Jordy also studied the philosophy of Ueshiba Morihei, in his native language, when he was at INALCO in Paris.
