Shidokan Nowadays...


As it is tradition in Martial Arts, the students must preserve the heritage of their Master and their Dojo.
Shidokan is no exeption;  after Funamoto Sensei passed away, his closest students assumed the inmense responsability to carry on with his Legacy.

Santoso Hanitijo, Robert Miller and Dean Jolly, all students of Douglas Funamoto Sensei (Kendo) and Fred Okimura Sensei (Iaido), are the ones who lead the new Shidokan Generation.

There were tough times for Shidokan after Funamoto Sensei passed away, and for some years the Dojo kept a low profile in the Kendo community.

But with great effort and dedication from all its members, "Shidokan Kendo and Iaido Club" has managed to recover it’s old strenght, the one that forged outstanding Kendoka all around Quebec and Canada.

Leading by example

Santoso Hanitijo Sensei started his judo training in the mid 70's at the Shidokan Martial Arts Academy under the guidance of Nakamura Sensei and Shimoda Sensei. In the early 80's after recovering from a shoulder injury, Santoso Sensei joined Funamoto Sensei's Kendo group under the same Shidokan Academy. Years later Iaido training would be implemented through Fred Okimura Sensei.

Since then Santoso-Sensei has devoted his life to the practice of Kendo and Iaido, following Funamoto Sensei's example. - A true inspiration for the new Shidokan generation.

Shidokan Kendo and Iaido Club: These days the new Shidokan generation trains as hard as it must be, within the facilities of the Concordia University - Loyola Campus.

Times and location might change, and generations will pass, but the spirit of Budo will live on through the practice of Kendo and Iaido and the teachings of our master:

Respect, Honor, Discipline, Perseverance, Respect.


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A word from our Captain

"Besides the health benefits such as weight or stress management through a total body workout, the kendo student eventually will be able to face and overcome different problems in life, the discipline and intense training sharpens one’s character striving never to surrender against any adversity. You learn to be calm at heart all the time, never letting your emotions dominate. You are given the rare opportunity to concentrate single-mindedly on one simple, yet unattainable goal: the perfect strike.


I believe kendo is one of those things in life that can truly shape your character, you always strive to become better, you learn to never give up, and you understand the true beauty in simple things. You face your own limitations and learn to overcome them, kendo can teach you a lot about yourself. The greatest masters that I have met in my life are very humble and admirable people. Experienced kendo masters are people with unshakable spirit and full determination in every aspect of their lives.

We are verly lucky to have a great master, Santoso Sensei is a wonderful mentor and his guidance has been crucial in our development. I'm very happy to have such a sensei, he makes my training a rewarding path in life. "

Tae Kyu Kim
Shidokan Team Capitan
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