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Shidokan Alma Mater
Through the years Shidokan has produced many outstanding kendoka; The new generation is lucky enough to constantly receive the visit of many Senior members who had the privilege to train under Funamoto Sensei.
These "Shidokan Alumni" still hold great appreciation for their original dojo, trying to share their knowledge as Funamoto Sensei once did with them. Their dedication towards the new Generation is one of Shidokan's best assets...
July 2012 | A hot week in June!
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During the week of June 30th we were lucky to have 2 days of practice with Shidokan Legend: Yutaro Matsuura Sensei, 6th dan, Shidokan member from Battle Creek , Michigan . It was a very hot week and our usual two hours practices got even more intense and demanding, pushing us all to our limits. As it is the tradition of our dojo, both practices were focused on the fundamentals, namely hitting a proper men-uchi. During the first practice we looked at the depth of the strike and the length of the stride. |
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At the end of the practice Matsuura Sensei took the time to fight all of us and through his own example emphasized that we should treat all fights the same way, no matter who we fight, we should always give our 100%. After the practice we enjoyed some well deserved refreshments, food and some great kendo talk.
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On the second practice we looked at different drills that can help us achieve the proper form that we studied on Monday. Again we all fought with Matsuura Sensei in preparation for the tournament in Waterloo that we were going to attend in a week’s time.
We can't thank enough Matsuura Sensei for his dedication towards Shidokan and the great effort he makes to visit us, Always making sure we are on the right track.
Our immense gratitude Matsuura Sensei!
June 2012 | Shidokan welcomes Kohara Midori !
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This summer we received a wonderful surprise. One of Funamoto Sensei's direct students: Kohara Midori has returned to Shidokan after a few years. Midori-sempai trained with Matsuura Sensei, Tsuji Sensei and Santoso Sensei within the first Shidokan generation. We are very thrilled to have her back with us and we'll make sure to make her feel at home. |
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April 2012 | Basics, basics, basics
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At the end of March we were very happy to receive a visit from Funamoto sensei’s direct student, 6th dan Matsuura Sensei. Proudly wearing his old Shidokan Zekken and Tenugui he was ready to lead a wonderful two day seminar. We started the weekend with a joint practice with our friends from Montreal Kendo Club and McGill University Kendo Club. During the suburi and kihon periods of this practice Matsuura Sensei reminded everybody that we should attempt every technique with utmost conviction an make every attempted strike count as an ippon. |
Most of the practice was devoted to ji-keiko which gave everyone the opportunity to fight with Matsuura Sensei and with everybody else. Each of us engaged in at least 20 fights, giving our best effort to honour our opponents by giving our 100% in every fight. After practice we refuelled our energy with food and refreshments at PJ’s.
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We continued on Saturday morning with more kendo. We spent the morning session working on the men strike. Matsuura sensei reminded us that even if “men-uchi” is the first technique that we learn, it should not be considered a beginners’ technique, and it can be improved on at every level. We reflected upon the basics of footwork and the men strike, and we all tried to apply them and improve on them at our respective level.
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After two hours of footwork and men we took a lunch break. During this break we had a chance to witness Matsuura Sensei’s proficiency with origami. Some of our member tried their hand at this Japanese art as well with decent results although anyone could tell the difference.
In the afternoon we started with some very intensive kirikaeshi waza that left us all almost exhausted within 30 minutes. After a short break we continued with ji-keiko. Again everybody had a chance to fight with everybody. Towards the end we were all treated to a fight between Hanitijo Sensei and Matsuura Sensei. The skill, courage and dignity displayed by both of them were truly inspiring for all of us.
A few words from Matsuura Sensei:
"This time, I got to see a lot of you twice. Friday night at Shidokan was a more relaxed and fun time, while I hope that Saturday was more of an educational experience for all of you. What I enjoyed most this time was that many of the faces were now familiar and I have been trying very hard to remember all of your names a little bit about each of you."
Full Article "Basics, basics, basics"
We would like to thank Matsuura Sensei and Hanitijo Sensei for their teaching and their example this weekend and we will train hard to improve and make sure that we get closer to the kendo level that they put on display this weekend.
Our immense gratitude Sensei ! Please visit us again !
February 2012 | Visit of Lawrence Tsuji Sensei
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At the beginning of February, we were fortunate in receiving the visit of one of Shidokan's born and raised: Lawrence Tsuji Sensei. He reminded us of the Shidokan tradition of focusing intensely on the basics of kendo. We spent a good portion of our morning's training working on footwork and basic striking techniques, and were reminded that just as important as showing good physical form is having a focused mental attitude. Furthermore, this attitude should be maintained just as thoroughly when being the motodachi in any one technique. |
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The motodachi must be supportive and both partners have to show mutual respect in helping each other develop their kendo skills. To top off a great practice, at the end of the class we had the opportunity to fight both Tsuji Sensei and Hanitijo Sensei.
Thank you Sensei for another fantastic visit!
A few thoughts from Tsuji Sensei :
" It was a great pleasure to visit the Shidokan dojo, and I really appreciated to be given the opportunity by Santoso-sensei to lead the practice. Once again, I was very happy to see the enthusiasm and the spirit shown by everyone throughout the practice. The positive spirit of the dojo is something very precious. In this past visit, I tried to demonstrate a broad range of basic forms and techniques, everything from suri-ashi, suburi to uchikomi. I emphasized the importance of distance through encouraging to-ma uchikomi, of sharper striking with the mono-uchi part of the shinai, of the proper role of the motodachi in kirikaeshi (proper tai-atari and receiving the strikes) and of more focus in your waza through the last kote/kote-men drill.
These technical points are important, and I hope all the members can continue to practice to improve in these areas. However, I do want to add that, while these things are important, in a way, they are just the execution part. The manner in which to approach and to engage in the practice with the sensei and with each other are what will make the difference in your rate of understanding and improvement. The supportive manner of participating in practice and the mutual respect shown to each other are the deeper foundations to good kendo. This is what I continue to strive for.
Thanks to everyone for their generous hospitality and goodwill. I look forward to seeing you all again soon!"
- Lawrence Tsuji
December 2011 | A wonderful surprise
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It was another Saturday morning at Shidokan, Kendo class was about to start after our fellow Iaidoka were clearing the dojo; Nobody was expecting a wonderful surprise. Hugo Renaud, a former Shidokan member who trainded under the direct guidance of Funamoto Sensei (Shidokan founder) came into the dojo for a Keiko-visit. His kendo was very impressive, showing the new Shidokan generation how things should be done. We feel very proud and honoured to receive such visit. |
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Hugo currently lives in Ottawa and trains at the Ottawa kendo club, soon he'll be going to Japan to keep training. A true example for the new Shidokan generation.
Our immense gratitude to Hugo and please come visit us again !!
October 2011 | Legends: Shidokan warriors come back home.
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On October 15th we received the visit of two amazing Sensei born at Shidokan: Lawrence Tsuji Sensei and Yutaro Matsuura Sensei. Together with Santoso Sensei they are among the few remaining active kendoka to have trained directly under Funamoto Sensei, the founder of our Dojo. |
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The practice was long and intense. In the tradition of our Dojo we dedicated most of the time to practicing the basics, as any solid building needs a good foundation. In the same tradition, we also aimed to strengthen existing friendships and forge new ones, through good spirits and crossing swords together.
It was an honour and a delight for the current members of our Dojo to connect with the past of Shidokan, and we sincerely hope that both Tsuji Sensei and Matsuura Sensei continue to stay involved in our present.
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It was a very special visit, and you could feel it in the air; all members displayed a heightened level of energy and will. Let's make sure that in the future we maintain the intensity we had on this special day, and continue to push that level with each day we train.
A Message from Matsuura Sensei :
"Please reflect upon this past Saturday and the great things that we did together. Lessons and memories last only as long as we let them. Funamoto Sensei still lives because people like Hanitijo Sensei, Tsuji Sensei and myself have not let him be forgotten. Strike Men with precision and correct positioning like Tsuji Sensei told you to and do it with all your breath and power like I told you to and never giving up until the waza is completed. I feel a special relationship with each and every one of you not only because you are all my Kohai, but because we all have a bond under Shidokan. You are all always welcome to come and see me as Mike, Adam and Gabriel did. I look forward to seeing you all again."
Full Article "Homecoming"
A Message from Tsuji Sensei :
"To all the Shidokan members, I would like to say thank you for helping to make the event so special. It is as much about Yutaro and I visiting as it is about all the Shidokan members being fully engaged and giving their best. Thanks also for the after-practice get-together. It was very nice to enjoy the meal, drinks and conversation (just as important as the practice itself!). This brings me to my final note: I will repeat what I had said at the end of the practice, which was to continue to practice kendo following these three principles:
tadashiku (correctly/properly), tanoshiku (with fun/enjoyment) and nakayoku (in harmony with others).
I look forward to practicing with you again.
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Full Article "Tadashiku, tanoshiku, nakayoku..."
Our inmense gratitude to Matsuura Sensei and Tsuji Sensei !!!
Please come back soon !!
Feb 16th 2010 | Gilles Valiquette Sensei visits Shidokan
When Funamoto Sensei founded Shidokan, the first student who knocked that door was Gilles Valiquette...
During Ji-Geiko he definitely showed us his experience and how his training has made him a strong and unpredictably fast Kendo master. We would like to thank Valiquette Sensei for his kindness and his teachings.
Shidokan doors will always welcome him to his Alma Mater and all our fellow kenshi to join us in this journey.
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Jan 16th 2010 | Lawrence Tsuji Sensei visits Shidokan
We want to express our gratitude to Lawrence Tsuji Sensei (Toronto JCCC), who was kind enough to lead a special class for our club.
Tsuji Sensei, Santoso Sensei and Dean Senpai trained together at Shidokan under the guidance of Funamoto Sensei many years ago and for us is an honor that a former member of our club comes to visit us and help
us improve in our Kendo.
Tsuji Sensei shared some important thoughts with us : " Thanks to Santoso-Sensei and to all the Shidokan members for the practice on Saturday, January 16th. It was a pleasure to be at Shidokan after so many years. The physical location does not matter so much (the old place on de Maisonneuve to the Tri-Star gym on Jean Talon and now at Concordia's Loyola campus); the spirit of the club is with its members and the collective passion for kendo. I cannot express enough how happy I am to see the Shidokan kendo club doing so well. I especially liked the enthusiasm shown by everyone during the practice.
At this time, please allow me to make three main comments:
The final thought that I would like to leave with everyone is something that I heard from another Sensei many years ago. There is a saying that can apply to kendo. In Japanese, it is Tadashiku, Tanoshiku, Nakayoku. Loosely translated in English, it means: With correctness/properly, With enjoyment, By working together/getting along. I stressed some aspects of kendo etiquette at the end of Saturday's class because it is important to remember that kendo is a martial art and not just stick fighting. Further to that, the proper kendo manner is meant to foster the respect and understanding between individuals so that kendo practice has meaning. Most importantly though: Have Fun!
I hope to see everyone again soon."
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Stories about Shidokan
Shidokan legends Yutaro Matsuura Sensei and Lawrence Tsuji Sensei have shared their thoughts and amazing stories about Shidokan with the new generation.
Our immense gratitude for their kindness. |
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Arigato Dear Sensei !
