Tokushikai Inside Look

Gur Nedzvetsky is from Jerusalem, Israel, and has been training for over 13 years, during which time he’s achieved the rank of 3-dan, was champion at the European Naginata Goodwill Tournament in 2016 and 2018, as well as at the World Goodwill Tournament in 2019

In this inspiring conversation, we explored Gur’s transition from the military to civilian life, and how Naginata helped him find meaning in his life’s pursuit, we talk motivating students, and about starting a dojo and the mindset of a Budo teacher.

This interview was jammed packed with so many lessons around hard work, perseverance, having a beginners mind, and even on parenting, that I hope everyone who listens, regardless of your discipline, will take the time to go all the way through.

This episode is also available at the following podcast platforms

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Anchor: https://anchor.fm/tokushikai-canada

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/tokushikai-inside-look/id1523336799

Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yMzk0OWVhNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Mf1mrLTfVT3Sbu8XM032m

Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1523336799/tokushikai-inside-look

Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/tokushikai-inside-look

Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/i9qbnxx7

Radio Public: https://radiopublic.com/tokushikai-inside-look-We0ozJ

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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, and on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/c/tokushikaicanada

Łukasz Machura is from Zawiercie, Poland, and has been training for over 16 years, and holds the rank of 5-Dan Iaido and 5-Dan Jodo

In this wide ranging conversation, we talk about the source of motivation for practice, the 3 key figures that have had significant influence on Lukasz Iaido and Jodo life, and the concepts and work that often lay hidden below the surface of these budo arts that we practice.

In the end, it’s about the people, and Lukasz reminds us throughout this interview to treasure the moments we have with them.

This episode is also available at the following podcast platforms

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Anchor: https://anchor.fm/tokushikai-canada

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/tokushikai-inside-look/id1523336799

Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yMzk0OWVhNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Mf1mrLTfVT3Sbu8XM032m

Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1523336799/tokushikai-inside-look

Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/tokushikai-inside-look

Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/i9qbnxx7

Radio Public: https://radiopublic.com/tokushikai-inside-look-We0ozJ

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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, and on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/c/tokushikaicanada

Christian Filippi is from Gossolengo (Piacenza), Italy, and has been training Kendo for over 38 years, during which time he’s represented Italy as a player in 9 European Championships, 5 World Championships, as well as a Coach of the Croatian National Team in 3 Europeans and 1 WKC.

Christian currently holds the rank of renshi 6 Dan Kendo, and has a decorated past as  Italian champion 4 times, European Team Champion once, 3rd Place at Worlds, and Fighting spirit at the EKC.  

In this wide-ranging conversation we talk about the importance of understanding the culture of a people and the origins of kendo, the value of remembering your first experiences to share with the next generation, and to adapt and refine the goal of your practice over time.

I found this conversation especially insightful glimpse into how a person changes over time, through life experiences, relationships, and taking on responsibility, and I’m grateful for all the wisdom Christian shared in the short time we had to speak.

I’m looking forward to many more conversations with him in the future.

This episode is also available at the following podcast platforms

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Anchor: https://anchor.fm/tokushikai-canada

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/tokushikai-inside-look/id1523336799

Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yMzk0OWVhNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Mf1mrLTfVT3Sbu8XM032m

Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1523336799/tokushikai-inside-look

Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/tokushikai-inside-look

Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/i9qbnxx7

Radio Public: https://radiopublic.com/tokushikai-inside-look-We0ozJ

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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, and on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/c/tokushikaicanada

Nicolai Sichlau is from Copenhagen /Denmark, and has been training kyudo for over 16 years, during which time he founded the danish kyudo federation and has nurtured the growth of young Kyudoka, including last year’s European Champion

Nicolai holds the rank of yondan, trained primarily under Liam O’Brien Sensei in the UK until his passing in 2015. 

In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about Nicolai's practical and philosophical interests in Kyudo, the patience and persistence of starting a Kyudo community in his country, and finding the perspectives necessary to succeed in this mentally demanding martial art.

Many useful concepts around tensions in the budo arts was brought up in the conversation that I believe are valuable to practitioners regardless of art. The balance of desire to hit a target, shame in demonstrating poor technique, and Jutsu vs Do are all concepts we struggle with, and I found Nicolai’s descriptions both insightful and informative.

This episode is also available at the following podcast platforms

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Anchor: https://anchor.fm/tokushikai-canada

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/tokushikai-inside-look/id1523336799

Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yMzk0OWVhNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Mf1mrLTfVT3Sbu8XM032m

Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1523336799/tokushikai-inside-look

Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/tokushikai-inside-look

Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/i9qbnxx7

Radio Public: https://radiopublic.com/tokushikai-inside-look-We0ozJ

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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, and on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/c/tokushikaicanada

Sida Yin is from Stockholm, Sweden, and has been training for over 18 years, under Momiyama Sensei, during which time he has been on the board of the FSKA (Föreningen Stockholms Kendo Allians) and president for the past three years 

Sida holds the rank of Godan in both iaido and jodo, and has competed and won in several European championships.

In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about various interesting topics related to budo including the positive impact of diverse budo events across Europe, growing into responsibilities in the dojo and the broader organization, the joys and pains of students joining and leaving, and even the benefit of Dance Dance Revolution to iaido and jodo training.

I found so many things resonate with me in this conversation with Sida, including emotional aspects that are commonly felt, but rarely shared in budo circles.  I appreciate Sida’s openness to speak about his experiences, and hope you will too.

This episode is also available at the following podcast platforms

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Anchor: https://anchor.fm/tokushikai-canada

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/tokushikai-inside-look/id1523336799

Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yMzk0OWVhNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Mf1mrLTfVT3Sbu8XM032m

Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1523336799/tokushikai-inside-look

Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/tokushikai-inside-look

Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/i9qbnxx7

Radio Public: https://radiopublic.com/tokushikai-inside-look-We0ozJ

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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, and on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/c/tokushikaicanada

Eduardo Brito is from Braga, Portugal, and has been practicing budo for nearly 20 years, and holds the rank of 4-Dan in Kendo and 3-Dan in Naginata.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Eduardo talks about getting into Naginata and helping to develop the community in Portugal, his battles with mental health, dealing with ego in martial arts, and important lessons in life.

Eduardo speaks with wisdom beyond his years, and his courage to speak about life challenges that we all deal with is admirable and so valuable during these tough times. His message of resilience and affirmation touched me deeply during our conversation, and was just as impactful listening to it a 2nd, 3rd, and 4th time while editing this episode.

I hope everyone who listens to this, considers his words deeply, and takes something away for their own lives.

This episode is also available at the following podcast platforms

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Anchor: https://anchor.fm/tokushikai-canada

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/tokushikai-inside-look/id1523336799

Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yMzk0OWVhNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Mf1mrLTfVT3Sbu8XM032m

Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1523336799/tokushikai-inside-look

Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/tokushikai-inside-look

Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/i9qbnxx7

Radio Public: https://radiopublic.com/tokushikai-inside-look-We0ozJ

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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, and on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/c/tokushikaicanada

Andy Watson Sensei is from the UK, and has been training for over 25 years, during which time he achieved the rank of Iaido Renshi 7-Dan and Jodo Renshi 7-Dan from the All Japan Kendo Federation, and has been a major contributor to the British Kendo Association, formerly as Bucho and National Coach of both arts

Watson Sensei currently teaches Iaido and Jodo at Ryoshinkan Dojo in London and Surrey, and form a family of dojos located in the UK, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, and Hungary

Watson Sensei is also the author of the Shugyo Blog, and started Andy’s Nihongo Corner earlier this year, teaching Japanese language to Iaido and Jodo practitioners all over the world.

In this first, of I hope many conversations, we learn about his initial discovery of the budo arts and living in Japan, and cover many other topics including the process of language learning, martial arts coaching, and organization systems.

This episode is also available at the following podcast platforms

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Anchor: https://anchor.fm/tokushikai-canada

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/tokushikai-inside-look/id1523336799

Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yMzk0OWVhNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Mf1mrLTfVT3Sbu8XM032m

Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1523336799/tokushikai-inside-look

Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/tokushikai-inside-look

Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/i9qbnxx7

Radio Public: https://radiopublic.com/tokushikai-inside-look-We0ozJ

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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, and on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/c/tokushikaicanada

Gergey Vass is from Budapest, Hungary, and has been training for over 16 years, during which time he’s contributed as a member of the Hungarian Iaido team as competitor, captain, and most recently the national coach

Gergey holds the rank of 5-Dan and is the head instructor at the Hirabu dojo in Budapest, an affiliate of the Ryoshinkan Iaido family in the Ishido line of Muso Shinden Ryu.

In this fascinating and inspiring conversation, Gergey recounts the many trials and tribulations in his budo life before Iaido, and now taking on much greater responsibilities.

While his specific path may be unique, many experienced budo practitioners that have taken on leadership roles themselves will find resonance in Gergey’s story, and I hope that upcoming generations also pay heed to the lessons and experiences for their own growth.

This episode is also available at the following podcast platforms

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Anchor: https://anchor.fm/tokushikai-canada

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/tokushikai-inside-look/id1523336799

Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yMzk0OWVhNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Mf1mrLTfVT3Sbu8XM032m

Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1523336799/tokushikai-inside-look

Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/tokushikai-inside-look

Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/i9qbnxx7

Radio Public: https://radiopublic.com/tokushikai-inside-look-We0ozJ

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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, and on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/c/tokushikaicanada

Andrej Milosevic is from Belgrade, Serbia, and has been training for over 13 years, during which time he’s been in the Serbian National Team since 2014, is the reigning national champion in Serbia two years running,  and has podium finishes in multiple European Championships, culminating with a surprise Quarter Finals finish at the 2018 World Kendo Championships in Korea.

Andrej holds the rank of 4-Dan and is the current leader of the Makoto Kendo Club where he’s applying knowledge from a degree and professional experience in physical training to kendo practice, and has helped lead the club to the most trophied club in foreign and domestic competition.

Andrej is an inspiring individual, with an incredible balance of attitude toward the traditional and the new, is both humble and confident, and has such a deep and introspective perspective on improving one’s physical, mental, and spiritual abilities. 

I’m looking forward to picking his brain again in the future, and hope you take as much from this initial conversation as I did.

This episode is also available at the following podcast platforms

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Anchor: https://anchor.fm/tokushikai-canada

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/tokushikai-inside-look/id1523336799

Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yMzk0OWVhNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Mf1mrLTfVT3Sbu8XM032m

Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1523336799/tokushikai-inside-look

Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/tokushikai-inside-look

Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/i9qbnxx7

Radio Public: https://radiopublic.com/tokushikai-inside-look-We0ozJ

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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, and on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/c/tokushikaicanada

Elisa Corrêa is from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and has been training for over 10 years, having begun Kyudo at Tokyo University of Foreign Studies, and is currently 4-Dan as provided by the International Kyudo Federation (IKYF)

Following this short stint in Japan where she specialized in Japanese language, and with the support of a few key individuals, Elisa founded the Brasil Kyudo Kai (BKK) and continues to serve as President of this organization.

Elisa’s story is one of grit and perseverance, having discovered a love for this traditional martial art, and was unwilling to give it up when no community, program, or space existed where she lived.

This experience resonates with so many of us in the international community, and demonstrates what we are capable of when we support each other physically, mentally, and spiritually.

I’m honoured to know Elisa as a person, and have this opportunity to share her continuing journey developing Kyudo in Brazil.

This episode is also available at the following podcast platforms

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Anchor: https://anchor.fm/tokushikai-canada

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/tokushikai-inside-look/id1523336799

Google Podcasts: https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yMzk0OWVhNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Mf1mrLTfVT3Sbu8XM032m

Overcast: https://overcast.fm/itunes1523336799/tokushikai-inside-look

Breaker: https://www.breaker.audio/tokushikai-inside-look

Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/i9qbnxx7

Radio Public: https://radiopublic.com/tokushikai-inside-look-We0ozJ

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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, and on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/c/tokushikaicanada