CKF NEWS
A official publication of the Canadian Kendo Federation, supporting Kendo, and Iaido	Vol 1/6 Issue 6 Sept 1999 www.uoguelph.ca/~kataylor/ckfindex.htm

AT FIRST LOOK

Speaking of new students, check out the report on the Halifax club. Mark has done a wonderful job of recruiting beginners into a brand new club. He has also written a good "press release" using a quote and getting all the relevant information into a short snappy piece. Especially note the contact information at the end. That sort of item, along with an action photo is relatively painless to write, and should be sent to your local media after any noteworthy event. Noteworthy being the beginning of class, a tournament, a grading, a visit to a camp, or anything else that gives you the excuse to write.
 

Of course on Iaido-l , (the Japanese sword discussion email list) Mark was promptly informed that most of those students would disappear, and that it would be hard to keep instructing without a senior sensei in Halifax. OK that's true, but why rain on a nice parade. Of course students disappear, but when was the last time any of the senior clubs with 5,6,7dan instructors pulled 90 students out of the blue. Congratulations Mark, and don't be afraid to ask for help from the rest of the federation! Push your club forward.
 

If anybody is in the Halifax area on business, drop in and give Mark a hand, I'm sure he'd appreciate it. How many people have actually seen the East Coast lately? Maybe it would be a nice vacation spot to take the family while you help with a small seminar. That's what makes a Federation, one member helping out another. No need for anything more.
 

This is a big country and if you're in the middle of Montreal, Toronto or Vancouver it's easy to forget that. We are now starting to expand into the less urban areas, with new clubs about to join from smaller towns. In the past, these clubs have felt anything but "in the loop". There's a good reason for that feeling, quite often they really are out of the loop. Most of the clubs are in the three centers, and most of their members see each other regularly so everybody knows what's going on right? Wrong.
 

It requires a two-way effort to make a small loop a big one. You're reading the classical device to do this, a newsletter. But it has to be used, by the "outlier" clubs and by the central "movers and shakers". You now tell me that since you pay your dues you can expect something for them right? You got that the day you paid up, membership in the CKF, the right to grade, the right to participate in tournaments, and the right to speak up. If you want more you have to ask for it.
 

Lets get back to the small club just starting out. On your membership application there was a place that said "instructor" (must be 5dan or over). Well that person has been in the organization for a long time and likely knows what's going on. You now have the right to call that person up and say "what's happening?" or "come on over here or send someone else to do a seminar, I've got a bunch of people waiting". If you do the organizing and ask for the help, you may be surprised at who will say yes. Who pays the costs? Think about what you pay per year for membership. It's reasonable for a local club to help fund their own training, after all I just paid $110 for 10 weeks of swimming lessons for my daughter.
 

Lack of communication? We've got the tools, we've just got to use them. Check the coming events list, I need YOUR club events to fill out the column!
 

Good luck with the new year.

Kim Taylor, Editor.
 

COMING EVENTS

Oct 17, Jodo workshop, U.Guelph, 12-5pm AC210

Nov 6-7, Leemington Budo camp, iai and jodo

Nov 21, Jodo workshop, U.Guelph, 12-5pm AC210
 

Mar 21-27, 2000, 11WKC, Santa Clara, CA
 

COUNTDOWN TO THE 11^th WKC

Ladies' Team

Misato Akitaya, Hana Ariga, Chiharu Hao, Mako Hayashi, Wendy Nakano, Corie Namba, Maya Taguchi
 

Men's Team

Dean Ara, Taro Ariga, Bryan Asa, Motoki Asaoka, Suguru Asaoka, Shigemitsu Kamata, Philip Nishikiyama, Matthew Raymond, Daisaku Taguchi, Eddy Yamashita
 

Officials

Ray Murao (Men's Coach), Mark Noda (Ladies' Coach), Richard Tizzard (Team Manager)
 

Delegation Head

Roy Asa, CKF President
 

The selection process could not have been completed without the kind assistance of the referees and other volunteers who helped run the Regional and National round-robin shiai and the 13th Canadian Kendo Championships. On behalf of the CKF, I would once again like to thank all of those who took time from their busy schedules to lend a hand.
 

In addition, I would like to thank all of the prospects from across the country that competed for the honour of representing Canada at the 11th WKC. Whether or not you were selected, I hope that participation in the process was a very positive experience for you, and beneficial for developing your Kendo.
 

Finally, let me extend my congratulations to those who were selected to the team. I know that all members of the CKF will join me in wishing the team members, coaches and manager every success as they begin the long and demanding process of training and preparing for the 11th WKC next March.
 

Sincerely yours,

Roy Asa

President, Canadian Kendo Federation
 

SEMINAR/TOURNAMENT REPORTS

Just a quick public Thank You to Scott Irey for hosting a fine Iaido and Batto-ho Embu in Everett Washington last Saturday. About 20 folks attended.
 

Cutting demonstration - very interesting Iaido Embu - reiho, 5 kata each (7 for yondan and above), closing reiho Informal practice and socializing
 

The author of Flashing Steel, Shimabukuro-sensei, was in Everett attending a karate taikai but took time out to come and demonstrate. Afterwards he and I practiced together for a while and I got an overview of his kihon for MJER. It is a little different than what I am learning but most enjoyable regardless.
 

The schmoozing afterwards was really fun. The Batto-ho guys showed off some of their cutting Toh which lead to show-and-tell for everyone's hardware. Everyone was eager to share what they are doing and hear what others were up to. With luck, Scott will make this an annual sumer event to go along with the Winter Embu (February) in Vancouver.
 

For those who have never taken part in an embu I encourage you to do so. There is an amazing amount of pressure (self-inflicted of course) that really tests your composure. Excellent training experience. Once again, Scott, thanks for the hard work. We had fun.
 

Regards

Bruce Campbell, Shin Ken Kai Iaido Vancouver.
 

ONTARIO GOLF TOURNEY RESULTS
 

Just wanted to thank all the participants who came out during the long weekend to join us at the annual Ontario Kendo Golf Tournament/Fundraiser. We had 6 teams (24 players ranging from near-pro to first-time players) and raised about $280 for Kendo development in Ontario (note: the funds will be forwarded to the Ontario Kendo Federation). More important, we all had a fun time. It was great to see both new (Domenico, Kim, Glen and Mrs. Kim) and familiar (Daisuke Maekawa) faces.
 

The results are as follows:

1st: Tak Yoshida Sensei, John Sheng, Glen Ikesaka and Andrew Asa
 

2nd: Roy Asa Sensei, Sanji Kanno Sensei, Domenico Mialo and Kim Maeda
 

3rd: Hao Sensei, Dave Mori, Kana Kanno and Man-Kwan Ma
 

4th: Tsumura Sensei, Mrs. Kim, James Kim and Hana Ariga
 

5th: Kenji Asa, Nobby Kakegawa, Bryan Asa and Mizuho Abe
 

6th: Mr. Mitsuishi, Shane Asa, HJ Choi and Daisuke Maekawa
 

Longest Drive: Dave Mori

Closest to the Pin: Hao Sensei

Women's Putt Champ: Kana Kanno

Other awards went to Man-Kwan Ma (First timer on the course) and Kana Kanno (Anniversary of sorts as her first visit to Canada was two years ago at this event).
 

Once again, we would like to thank Mr. Mitsuishi and Sandown Grocery, Tsumura Sensei and Zen restaurant, Hao Sensei and Sasaya restaurant, Asa Family and Mr.Kakegawa and Japan Camera, Kanno Sensei and Taro and Hana Ariaga for their generous prizes/donations. I would also like to thank James Kim and Matthew Raymond for their time and help.
 

Bryan Asa
 

TEAM CANADA GASSHUKU - LABOUR DAY WEEKEND
 

Just thought I'd let you know that we had the Canadian national team here over the weekend for a gasshuku. It was great, we had an absolute blast. Boy, are they ever good/tough/in shape. I really think we're gonna make up for the less than perfect performance in Kyoto. The coaches feel this is the strongest Canadian team ever. Looking forward to Santa Clara next March.
 

I finally had the chance to spar with Matthew Raymond, our team's nito wunderkind. There was absolutely nothing I could do with that boy. In addition to being big and strong, he's a talented athlete who has some really solid method behind his playing, not just swinging a lot of bamboo around. Of course, there's really not much I can do with any of those guys, but I had the most fun with Matthew.
 

Anyway, thanks to Ray Murao and Mark Noda for bringing their teams out to Saskatoon, and to Rick Tizzard and Roy Asa for all their organizational work.
 

The world kendo championships is coming up March 24-26 in Santa Clara, California. I'm hoping that many of you will be able to make it out, I know I'm certainly going to try.
 

Neil Gendzwill, Saskatoon Kendo.
 

JUNIOR, ADULT BEGINNER CAMP
 

Just wanted to thank everybody involved with our Junior / Adult Beginner Camp held at the JCCC. We had over 20 participants and 8 instructors throughout the weekend and enjoyed both rigorous and fun Kendo lessons as well as some great stories and company. A special thanks goes out to our chefs (Mr.&Mrs. Wakabayashi, The Kiellys, Yukie and Maiko Asa, Gary Nakashima and Steve Nakatsu, Barbara(?) and Paul Nakamura) and our supervisors and instructors (Steve Nakatsu, Paul Nakamura, Matthew Raymond, Shingo Tanabe, Eddie Yamashita, Kazuyoshi Hao, Gary Nakashima and Kiyo Kamata(?)). An extra special thank you to Dr. Schneider and his wife for hosting the goodwill keiko and AWESOME BarBQ at his home/ranch in Lockport.
 

We hope everybody had a great time.

Bryan Asa, JCCC
 

WEBSITE UPDATES

http://www.eanet.com/sckf
 

At the recent eliminations for the Team USA headed for the 11th World Kendo Championships, fourteen of the top twenty finishers were from the SCKF!
 

NEWS AND OTHER BITS

310 Danforth Av.

(North side, about 2 blocks east from Broadview)

Tel. 416-463-2179
 

Practices at the Toronto Kendo Club's Missisauga affiliatelocation will resume on Friday, September 10, 1999 at 8:00 PM.
 

The location is unchanged - the Teaching (Dance) Studio on the Ground Floor in the South Building, Erindale College. The college is located on the East side of Mississauga Road, just North of Dundas Street in Missisauga. Guests are welcome any time.
 

You can park free in Parking Lot #8 and enter the South Building through the back doors.
 

Dalhousie University Kendo Club - A SUCCESS!
 

September 12, 1999, marked the genesis of the Dalhousie University Kendo Club as Mark MacLeod instructed the first Kendo lesson to an overwhelming crowd of 92 enthusiastic men and women, filling the Kings College Aerobics Room to capacity. People continued to pour into the room as the lesson began while eager parents and spectators watched curiously. 75 new members registered to the Dalhousie University Kendo Club immediately prior to the commencement of the first Kendo lesson while Mark continues to welcome new members daily.
 

Mark MacLeod, President, founder, and instructor of the Dalhousie University Kendo Club comments upon the large crowd assembled before him. "Approximately 100 students attending a first Kendo lesson is unprecedented in Europe and Canada, where a typical Kendo Dojo has six to ten students on average. This is incredible."
 

Enthusiastic students listened carefully to each new technique, some beaming with satisfaction, as the class practiced together. A final kneel, bow, and a traditional round of applause to congratulate themselves for their performance. The deafening applause, cheers, and whistles were exemplary of the students' enthusiasm for Kendo; a sign that Kendo is here to stay in Nova Scotia.
 

For more information visit:

www: http://is2.dal.ca/~mamacleo/

email: mamacleo@is2.dal.ca
 
 
 

We welcome all inquiries, letters, comments, articles, announcements, photos and tournament reports to Kim Taylor, Editor, 44 Inkerman St. Guelph Ontario or email them to kataylor@uoguelph.ca