Tokushikai Inside Look

Aurelien Nacrour has lived in the US, France, and UK, before moving to Japan. He has been holds the rank of 6-Dan in both Iaido and Jodo, 4-Dan in Kendo, and trains with Ishido Sensei in Kanagawa

In this wide-ranging conversation, we talk about adapting to new cultures, deliberate training for competition and exams, and the relationship of a student with their sensei and their own bodies to continuously improve.

I found this conversation interesting and informative for my own practice, and has given me much to think about in preparation for when large scale events in the budo community can resume. 

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

Charlotte Vandersleyen Sensei is from Brussels, Belgium, and is now living in London, UK, and has been training for over 24 years, during which time she’s achieved:

She holds the rank of naginata godan, kendo sandan and teaches at Aspire Naginata Club in London

In this wide-ranging conversation, we go from Vandersleyen Sensei’s early days getting into Naginata to a wide range of initiatives and organizations she has helped found and lead for the art in Europe and more recently across the globe.

Naginata @ Home can be found on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRHpBTyJEKMKDpi9V7eti-A

We also talk briefly about the complex nature of human interactions within the budo world -- usually overly simplified as “politics”, and the challenges & blessings of being “sensei-free”.  

Vandersleyen has shown courage and resilience in her Naginata career these past couple of decades, and has mostly succeeded in not getting sucked into politics, and practicing purely for your pleasure of the art.

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

Melike Bayram is from Essen, Germany, and has been training for over 15 years, studying Muso Shinden Ryu under Rene van Amersfoort Sensei, has achieved the rank of Iaido 4-Dan, Jodo 3-Dan, and is the chairman of the North Rhine-Westphalian Iaido Federation

Melike has been a member of the German National Iaido Team since 2014, earning the title of European Iaido Champion in 2017 , and was a member of the 2018 European Jodo Championship Team.

In this wide ranging conversation exploring Melike’s budo journey from childhood to the present, I’m consistently reminded of how important mindset is to the practice of arts like Iaido and Jodo. At the highest levels of practice and competition, the physical requirements of the art give way to mental approaches and character building.

Melike’s honest drive for self improvement was evident throughout this interview, and I’m excited that it can be shared with listeners around the world.

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

Robert Boyd is from Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and has been training in Iaido for over 7 years, during which time he’s earned the rank of 3rd Dan and has been a member of the UK National Team for 2017 and 2018, where he earned a last 16 placement in the European Championships. Additionally, Robert and his students of Roshukai Kensaki dojo have placed as high as 1st place in the BKA National Championships. 

Robert recently completed a 700 cut challenge for Kidney Research UK bringing awareness to Kidney disease and research. Robert himself has gone through nearly two decades of treatment to stay alive and thrive through this debilitating disease.

In this fascinating conversation, we speak about the challenges Robert has had to go through, while also demonstrating the potential for strength and resilience in the human spirit. Robert is an inspiration, and I hope we can all learn from his example.

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

Makiko Ara is from Vancouver, Canada, and has been training for over 30 years, during which time she’s participated in several World Championships as a member of the National Team.

Makiko holds the rank of Renshi 6-Dan, and is a director and VP - West of the Canadian Kendo Federation. 

In today’s conversation, we talked about her experiences growing up in Kendo and developing into a leader and role model for girls and women in the sport. Her dedication to the next generation of practitioners has helped make the Renbu Kendo Club a beacon for young kenshi across Canada.

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

Knut Högvall is from Uppsala, Sweden, and has been training for over 36 years, during which time he has explored various paths to find the aspects of budo that appeal to him, eventually picking up a number of dan grades and titles along the way.

Knut holds the rank of 6 dan shidoin in aikido, 4 dan in toho, 4 dan in kyudo, and 3 dan in iaido, has won the Swedish Kyudo Championships three times and the Swedish Cup four times, and is the founder and head instructor of the Issha Kyudo Kai kyudojo in his hometown.

In this fascinating conversation, we explore his journey into the art of Kyudo, and his most memorable experiences developing as a practitioner and as a person.

I personally found many important lessons in this interview, specifically the mindsets when approaching competition, practice, and teaching, and I hope you’re able to find some nuggets in there too.

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

Katie Roche Sensei is from New York City, USA, and has been training for over 16 years, during which time she has earned a record 6x/U.S. Women’s National Champions, helped the Greater New York Naginata Team get 1st place 5x and maintain a top 3 ranking in the country

She has represented the United States on the women’s national team 3x and achieved 2 silver medals

Roche Sensei is currently the youngest 5-dan outside of Japan, teaches at the Ken Zen Institute in New York City

As part of her research work at Columbia University, where she is also the head coach of the Naginata club, she has pioneered an adapted curriculum for teaching Naginata to children with Cerebral Palsy.

This was one of my favourite interviews since starting this podcast, providing a brief glimpse into Roche Sensei’s drive and dedication to the art of Naginata. I feel very fortunate that there exists such an intelligent, resilient, and courageous young role model for the next generation of female budoka.

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

David Merinero is from Madrid, Spain, has been training for over 16 years, was a member of the Spanish National Team from its creation in 2010, and runs SanGakuKai Iaido Club in Madrid. 

David holds the rank of Iaido Godan and belongs to the European Shinkage ryu family led by Matsuoka Yoshitaka sensei and Kinomoto Miyuki sensei both Hachidan Kyoshi Iaido

In this stimulating conversation, we talked about the development of Iaido in Spain, David’s growth as a martial artist, and the value of the community above all else.

I found David to be a beautiful person, heart and soul, and I hope this episode is able to spread even some of that energy to the rest of the world.

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

Daria Litunenko is from St. Petersburg, Russia, and is one of the driving forces of Naginata in her region of the world, having introduced the art to her hometown of St. Petersberg, and has since supported the growth of dojos in other cities around the country.

In this wide ranging conversation, we are introduced to the art of Naginata, explore its humble beginnings in Russia, and are provided a glimpse into a supportive global community.

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

Konstantina Perlepe is from Greece, and now living in Italy. She's been practicing Iaido for over 10 years, and is currently 4-Dan in the European Kendo Federation.

In this wide ranging conversation, we talk about her journey through the European Iaido Championships from beginner to now, her relationships with teammates and practitioners from countries all across Europe, and the Senseis that have inspired her throughout the years.

The joy and liveliness with which Konstantina recalls her experiences was contagious, and an important reminder to us all what we can look forward to, and not take for granted, when the pandemic is more contained.

It was certainly a great reminder for me to keep these important connections alive and well during difficult times. 

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