Tokushikai Inside Look

Trevor Jones Sensei is originally from London England, and has been living continuously in Japan for the past 21 years.

Many of us budo practitioners have dreamed about what it would be like to move to Japan and live a simple life of martial arts practice.

And in this wide ranging conversation around his life in Iaido and Kendo, Jones Sensei gives us a glimpse into what that life could be.

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Johannes Dobretsberger is from Linz, Austria, and has been a member of the Austrian National Iaido Team for the past few years.

Up to now, the podcast has been focused on more senior practitioners of the martial arts. Those with over two decades of experience and are currently leading their dojos and organizations.

But what makes the martial arts community such an amazing place to be is that leaders can come from anywhere, and it is the responsibility of seniors to nurture these tendency in upcoming youth.

I was recommended Johannes as the podcast guest for this reason, and cannot be more impressed by his understanding and dedication to the practice and responsibilities of the arts.

In challenging times like we have today, it is so important for young leaders like Johannes to step up, and it’s clear to me that he is ready for face these days head on.

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Elena West Sensei is originally from Russia, and now living in England.  West Sensei has been training for over three decades in Jodo, Iaido, Kendo, Yoga, and is a certified massage therapist.   I was really looking forward to this conversation, as the topic “How budo helps you survive and thrive through personal loss”, is so valuable to all of us, regardless of experience or rank.   The interview blew away my expectations, and I’m sure you’ll take away some important lessons around community, parenting, leadership, and overcoming adversity.  

To get the latest on what we’re up to at Tokushikai Canada, subscribe to our newsletter at https://subscribe.tokushikai.ca and find us on Facebook and Instagram @tokushikai.canada

Douglas Tong Sensei lived in Japan for many years and has studied several traditional Japanese sword arts, including Katori Shinto Ryu, Ono-ha Ittō Ryu, Muso Shinden Eishin Ryu, and Yagyu Shinkage Ryu for over 30 years.  

Tong Sensei has a Master’s Degree in Education and teachers on the front line of the public system.  In this stimulating conversation, we talk about the role of Japanese culture in martial arts, and the complexities and challenges for students of understanding and abiding by these traditions.  

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Peter West Sensei (Kyoshi 7-Dan Iaido; 4-Dan Jodo) is one of the most senior Iaido instructors in the United Kingdom, and the head instructor of Myoken Dojo.   

He also teaches weekly classes on Zoom with participants from all over the world.  In this conversation, we discussed Barriers to Progression, and while this discussion is based in Iaido, the concepts and lessons introduced are widely applicable to all walks of life.  

To get the latest on what we’re up to at Tokushikai Canada, subscribe to our newsletter at https://subscribe.tokushikai.ca and find us on Facebook and Instagram @tokushikai.canada

A conversation with Master Emerson Wong, founder and CEO of Pulse Martial Arts Academy, about how he started his successful schools in Canada and Haiti, and his current experience as a small business owner in this time of COVID-19.

This is wide ranging conversation with Grandmaster Tim Wakefield, of the Shaolin Martial Arts Centre in Aurora, Canada, we hear about his motivations for starting martial arts, the responsibilities of teachers vs coaches vs instructors, and the differences in methods for adults and kids. 

Tim Sensei has been training for over 37 years, during which time he has traveled the globe to expand his knowledge of the martial arts and has achieved senior certifications in several unique disciplines, including 5-Dan Kendo Federation Iaido, 4-Dan in Kendo Federation Jodo, 9-Dan Shaolin Kempo Kung-Fu, and is a Warrior Monk of the Shaolin Temple.

In our first episode, we talk to Michael Hodge (Iaido 6-Dan; Canadian Kendo Federation) about mistakes in Iaido, focusing on topics like: