Kaze Uta means “wind song”. Wind is a classical symbol for subtle energy, Ki, or the flow of life. Song alludes to the blending of energies in harmonious balance resulting in beauty. Budo means the “martial arts path,” or more literally the way to stop the weapon or end the violence. Kai means association or affiliation in a quasi-democratic structure.

What I mean by this name is a comprehensive term that both transcends and includes all the arts we teach—Judo, Aikido, Jyodo—a term that refers to the gestalt of the dojo's educational and empowering activity which have in large part been inspired by the ideas and philosophies of our teachers and their teachers and their teachers in a lineage going back through Chuck Caldwell (as Windsong Dojo's founder) and his teacher to Kenji Tomiki (creator Shodokan aikido) and Tsunako Miyake (Shihan of Judo, Aikido, Jyodo and tai chi master); to Takaji Shimizu (creator of modern Shindo Muso Ryu jyodo), Jigoro Kano (creator of Kodokan Judo) and Morihei Ueshiba (creator of Aikido); to Sokaku Takeda (DaitoRyu Aikijujitsu) and Tsunetoshi Iikubo (Kito Ryu Jujitsu).

All of the energy and insight that these great teachers have brought to us, that we embody and pass along to our own students, and that we hope to achieve in our pursuit of the true Way (or Tao) of the martial arts can be summed up as Kaze Uta Budo Kai.

A more comprehensive website is coming soon. Until then, for more information, visit Windsong Dojo's home page.

—Nick Lowry