25 March 2026
A reflective Paris visit: Kawaishi’s gravesite, meeting Chadi, and time at Shiseikan Dojo - legacy in motion.
During my time in Paris, I had the opportunity to visit the gravesite of Mikinosuke Kawaishi, located on the outskirts of the city.
This was something that felt important to me—not simply out of historical interest, but on a much more personal level. From the first time I opened one of Kawaishi’s books, I felt an immediate connection to his work. That connection only deepened years later while researching him for a significant section of my own book.
There are certain individuals in the history of martial arts whose approach, mindset, and method resonate on a different level. For me, Kawaishi has always been near the very top of that list. His work has always felt, in a sense, like “home.”
Standing there at his gravesite—dignified and well-kept, much like the legacy he left behind—I took a few quiet moments to reflect, and to say thank you.
Moments like this serve as a reminder that what we practice is part of a much longer story—one that extends far beyond any single individual.
While in Paris, I also had the pleasure of meeting Chadi, a well-known Judo researcher and YouTuber who had previously featured my book on his channel.
Meeting up with Chadi
It was great to finally meet in person. We had a wide-ranging and engaging conversation that covered martial arts, Uchi-mata, world affairs, and life in general. It was a genuinely enjoyable exchange, and I appreciated the opportunity to connect beyond the digital space.
Another meaningful experience came through an invitation from Dave Hoare, a jujutsu black belt who has followed our work for several years.
Me and David Roid
After learning of my visit to Kawaishi’s gravesite, he invited me to visit the Shiseikan Dojo. I was genuinely touched by the invitation and the sense of connection it reflected.
The dojo itself carries a remarkable lineage—it was established in 1947 by an early direct student of Kawaishi, who was also the 36th judo black belt in all of France. Being able to observe both the children’s and adult classes in that environment was a real privilege.
It is always meaningful to see how traditions are carried forward across generations and across borders.
This trip, in many ways, was about more than travel. It was about connection—past and present, personal and shared.
