These articles, interview and podcasts span a number of years. I’ve put them up with the understanding that they only scratch the surface of my work. I hope that having listened to them, you will acquire my books, where I discuss consider these subjects in depth – or, in the case of my fiction, as the most complete embodiment of my art. In a way, I find my fiction bears more truth than facts alone – at least that is true for me.
SUBSTACK
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Aikido Journal 2018: Three Part Interview
The titles speak for themselves. “Ellis sat down with Aikido Journal to discuss the evolution of Japanese martial arts, their role in the present and future, and his insights into aikido’s past.”
A Conversation with Ellis Amdur (Ki to the City)
This video features a candid conversation on a wide range of topics, primarily centered on my experiences with Aikido, the historical and political context of its founder, and his exploration of other martial arts. The interviewer refers to this as “a wild ride,” for example, discuss the potential for internal strength, drawing parallels between the Palmer reflex in infants/chimps and the concept of Shibori in swordsmanship, as well as the physiological “inhibitors” that prevent humans from tapping into extreme, berserker-like power.
AIKI LIVE MEET – Daniel Messisco and Ellis Amdur (Part 1) & (Part 2)
Dan and I take on a number of questions at random. We have very different approaches to our training – both the overlaps and the divergences of opinion were fascinating. I’ve heard about Daniel Messisco for years, and what a wonderful way to meet a fine, thoughtful man.
An Intervew with the Kitsap Literary Artists & Writers
Amdur discusses his life’s journey, his extensive martial arts background, and his transition into writing fiction and non-fiction. He discusses his book Little Bird and the Tiger, highlighting his interest in historical fiction set in Japan. He explains the inspiration for his female protagonist, a 19th-century teacher, based on fragments of historical records, and discusses the themes of independence versus the pressures of imperial expansionism
ASK ME ANYTHING – A Reddit entitled I am Ellis Amdur, author of The Girl with the Face of the Moon, Dueling with O-sensei – and a lot more books
Being Old School: An Interview with Ellis Amdur on the Classical Martial Arts of Japan
Here, I discuss common misunderstandings about koryū-bugei, challenges in maintaining and transmitting archaic martial traditions in the modern world, and even a few thoughts about the growing movement in redeveloping Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) from the perspective of an inheritor of two living martial traditions.
Beneath the Eyes of Unseeing Masters: An Interview with Ellis Amdur on Dueling with O-sensei
There is perhaps no popular martial art more susceptible to the “wise master” and abusive teacher complex than Aikido, an elegant throwing art whose founder, Ueshibal Morihei, was ascribed nearly supernatural ability, was a practitioner of an obscure, highly mystical religion, and whose students seemed to be particularly adept at factional in-fighting while practicing the Art of Harmony. Therefore, there is no one better to talk about the beauty and beasts of the Aikido world than Ellis Amdur. Iconoclastic, rebellious, yet fiercely holding to some of the most traditional values of Japanese martial culture, Ellis Amdur brings something new to martial arts writing – a startling honesty about the flaws, not only within martial arts culture, but also within its practitioners, often using himself as an exemplar of the latter.
Budo no Kuni (with Grigoris Miliaresis)
“Budo no Kuni” (武道の国) or “Land of Martial Arts” is a series of videos from BAB Japan, “Hiden” Magazine and BudoJapan.com website.
Choreography for Cimarronin, Book 4 – On Sub-Saharan African Warfare
Amdur explains the choreographic process behind designing a fight sequence for the character Catumbuque in the graphic novel Cimmaronin. Amdur emphasizes that martial movements are deeply culturally bound and must reflect the specific historical context of the character.
Choreography for Cimarronin, Book 5 – On Chinese Curved & Straight-Sword Fighting
A collaboration between Amdur and Andrew Shinn devising a plausible semi-combat between brother-and-sister characters, a counter-thrust sequence that transitions into a close-quarters struggle, ending with a surprise knife attack behind the back. In a second sequence for the illustrator, we see a draw typical of Yakumaru-ha Jigen-ryū nodachi.
Interview with Guillaume Erard: (Part 1) – Martial Journey from Aikido to Koryu & (Part 2) – The De-escalation of Violence and the Relevance of Budo
Part 1 is a wide-ranging interview on the writing and practice of martial arts, with discussions on the nature of aggression and what value, if any, martial arts training can provide beyond skill in fighting or life-and-death combat. Part 2 focuses on the role of martial arts practice in training to actually de-escalate or stop violence in the real world.
It Aint Necessarily So: Banquo’s Ghost
Here I discuss what for many might seem to a trivial thing–whether a photograph of several prominent martial artists together really proves that one was the student of the other. Not trivial to the legacy of both men–particularly Shioda Gozo, who was claimed to be the student of Horikawa Kodo, something that would contradict his own biography.
It Aint Necessarily So: Rendez-vous with Adventure
In this essay, I question (through first hand interviews of witnesses) several apocryphal tales of superhuman power that have been taken as gospel within the modern aikido world.
It Aint Necessarily So: Where’s My Money!!!???
I revisit a ‘standard myth’ that Takeda Sokaku charged Ueshiba Morihei an outrageous fee per student, putting him in an unpayable debt. But things are not always what they seem
Modern Aikidoist Podcast with Tristan Chermack
A general overview of the martial arts that Takeda Sokaku and Ueshiba Morihei are known to have actually studied. With numerous tangents on a variety of topics, that if I wasn’t on heavy medication after an operation, I probably wouldn’t have taken – but it all worked out.
A one and one-half hour long podcast with Bruce Bookman, my collaborator and training brother, on our innovative work developing staff and sword forms with martial virtue that are suitable for aikido training, and discussing the larger issues of aikido and any martial art regarding self-defense, combative efficacy, and what it means to attempt to preserve a tradition while extending it’s boundaries. Were I to sum up our approaches, were aikido a house, Bruce strives to add extensions to the house: a new atrium, a gazebo in the garden, a deck and a new bedroom, while preserving both the architectural integrity and the foundation of the home. I try to preserve the house exactly as I found it – while attempting to change the wiring system and adding a new heating system while I’m at it.
It is often taught that Aikido’s heritage was the ancient Japanese battlefield, where its techniques were born. Is this true? This episode is a conversation which is a follow up to a previous episode (Episode 167 – see above). This offers an overview of Japanese combative history, and explains how modern arts such as Daito-ryu and aikido developed from these old warfare arts, but are definitely not battlefield arts themselves.
Discusses the ramifications of the concept of budo as fundamentally defensive, countering attacks, with much discourse about aikido being the exemplar of that perspective. As usual, the interview ranges in history, anecdotes, and includes the felicitous idea that koryu were essentially the Boy Scouts of the era (at one point, 50% of American Spec Ops personnel had been through boy scouts, and that childhood training prepared them to be self-sufficient and able to function in small units for specific missions).
A wide-ranging discussion on etiquette and ritual within martial arts. Among the high-points is the emphasis that etiquette in its pure form enables armed individuals to interact in predictable ways – and in a larger sense, was a training methodology to engrain behavior appropriate to social roles. We also talk about how etiquette can become formalized to the level of fetishization – and how, when one imports a cultural activity into another culture, how this can go awry.
Ellis shares his extensive experience and deep understanding of traditional Japanese martial arts, emphasizing the real-world application and historical significance of these ancient practices. Starting his journey with backyard karate and moving through Aikido to the rigorous practices of Araki-ryū and Tenshin-Bukō-ryū, Ellis’s narrative is a fascinating exploration of martial arts culture. His discussion spans the necessity of specific martial arts techniques for real-world scenarios, such as law enforcement, reflecting on how traditional methods can inform contemporary practices.
A technical breakdown on atemi, contrasting it to ordinary striking
A technical breakdown on this common jūjutsu/aikidō technique
O-sensei the Shaman, Ueshiba the Man: Part 1 & O-sensei the Shaman, Ueshiba the Man: Part 2
This two-part podcast focuses on the rather confusing question of Ueshiba Morihei as a ‘spiritual’ being. I strive to do justice to the complex nature of this man, who was simultaneously, a seeker after the unknown, a supporter of far right-wing Japanese nationalism, and a creator of an innovative form of martial arts practice that has the potential to truly assist people in defending themselves in the context of living in 21st century civil society, governed, for the most part, by the rule of law.
This is a reflective and intimate interview, remembering my former aikidō teacher, Terry Dobson, the subject of the first chapter of this book. The conversation explores Dobson’s complex character, his unique approach to martial arts, and his personal journey.
Rollicking Interview with Ellis Amdur on HIYAA Martial Arts
The interview, well over an hour in length, starts about 20 minutes into this podcast. Talk about koryu, aikido, internal training, and some great stories.
The Martial Arts Podcast: #4 (with Mark Jacobs)
In this episode of The Martial Podcast, host Mark Jacobs talks where he and Ellis Amdur talk about the ancient martial arts of Japan, Ellis’s work in crisis intervention with a particular focus on how to remain calm in a crisis situation (zanshin, kiaijutsu, fudōshin).
The Martial Arts Podcast #26 – On Roots Still Cracking Rock
In this episode of The Martial Podcast, host Mark Jacobs and Ellis Amdur talk about Amdur’s attitude of “respecting the house,” which enables him to give honest criticism that contributes to the art(s) rather than tearing them down. This leads to an in-depth discussion of the book, Roots Still Cracking Rock.
A discussion about what it is like to be older and still be practicing in the martial arts. Ellis Amdur, Maija Soderholm, and Mike Panian dip our toes into what lifelong practice in the martial arts is like, relationships with younger practitioners, martial traditions that include life stages and those that do not, the effects of health challenges on practice and the Yoda Effect!
The Phenomenologist – Original Online Interview with Ellis Amdur (with Simone Chierchini)
The “Shu-Ha-Ri” Dialogues (with Miles Kessler)
A dialogue between Ellis Amdur & Miles Kessler (Aikido, Buddhist Meditation, Series Host) discussing a particular classical way of mapping the learning process within traditional Japanese arts.
Articles & Interviews Concerning Tactical Communication & De-escalation
Ellis Amdur joins the podcast to discuss his unique approach to verbal de-escalation, conflict resolution, and more. Are there proven strategies to de-escalate aggressive anger? How can we use verbal control tactics to manage the behaviors of enraged people?
Managing Violence Podcast (with Joe Saunders)
An interview which concerns koryu, the integration of principles derived from koryu into crisis intervention and a brief over-view of my schema regarding inter-personal aggression.
This podcast centers around themes in Lost Boy. We discuss moral injury–how violence, even for the ‘best’ of intentions or causes, can cause more harm, and whether forgiveness is always a necessity for the recovery of trauma or if there are other ways to fully heal
Movement Therapy for BPD & There is no final destination for a human being
The first video features a conversation between host Cynthia Gralla and psychotherapist Ellis Amdur regarding a novel movement-based therapy approach for individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). Ellis Amdur explains that many BPD patients feel an intense lack of protection over their nervous system. He describes using Baduanjin Qigong—a system of Chinese breathing and movement—to teach patients how to manage their own tension and release.
In the second video, Amdur, influenced by his mentor James Hillman and archetypal psychology, Amdur emphasizes that there is no “final destination” for a human being. Therapy should focus on creating “spaciousness” and exploring the mythic and singular journeys of individuals rather than forcing them into a hero’s journey model
On De-escalating Intimidating & Aggressive People
Amdur explains that within the first five minutes of an interaction, he provides the other person with “a gift”—such interactions serve as a diagnostic tool. Amdur emphasizes the importance of being transparent about his role. This transparency is intended to be fair, as it removes the pretense of a personal relationship.
The Way Is In Training: Episode 321
This interview/discussion is with former police officer, former Army Reserve Special Forces Matt Little, concerning The Coordinator which sketches out the intersection of classical martial arts and tactical communication for war fighters and police.
Articles on Martial Arts Either About My Work or Using My Work as a Primary Reference.
Atemi: Conversation with Robert Van Valkenburgh – Part 1
Atemi: Conversation with Robert Van Valkenburgh – Part 2
Robert Van Valkenburgh is a student of Budd Yuhasz, a former student and training brother of mine. Budd has been researching internal strength training methods as they are applied to grappling (be it body-to-body and and arms length). This extended podcast makes extensive reference to my work through my concept of atemi not as ‘hitting a person’s body;’ rather it is developing a ‘hitting body.’
The Origin and Practice of Solo Training in Aikido
Much of this article involves a dialogue between Guillaume Erard and myself concerning intrinsic power training within both koryu and aikido