Aaron Blackwell (Renshi Rokudan)
What was your original motivation to start
Kyudo?
I started Kyudo for rather spurious
reasons. That was 30 years ago. It is the rewards of the art that keep
me
practicing.
What do you now enjoy most about
Kyudo?
I
enjoy the dynamic mind body relationship. I enjoy the totality of being
generated through the process.
What is your favorite
quote?
"A
good general builds his castle in the hearts of his retainers." Takeda
Shingen
What is your favorite
movie?
The Day the Earth Stood Still,
The 007 series and others.
What is your favorite book?
The
Lord of the Rings and the Kyudo Kyohon. I have 100 martial arts books.
The Kyohon is the best.
How
would you describe yourself in 5 words or less?
Opinionated.
If
you could meet someone (dead or alive) who would it be and why?
Morihei
Ueshba, founder of Aikido, and Miyauchi sensei, my first Kyudo teacher.
Both have passed away.
What other Martial Arts have you
practiced?
Judo
and Aikido (Gojuryu Karate-do and Iaido no longer practiced)
What are your other outside interests
and hobbies?
Hiking,
reading and drinking with friends.