The Pamurai and I flew in Thursday evening, Eric, Maya and Roy arrived the next day and the seminar started Friday evening with Seitei Jodo practice inside and Iaido outside… I think. After three days it gets a little fuzzy. We filled the dojo, but it wasn’t crowded so that was a lovely thing. With two 7dan, one 6dan and two 5dan (iaido was pretty much the same ranks) we had plenty of instruction for the students.
Friday practice, (I think I was outside doing iaido), included lots of talking and some doing. I hope folks got some pointers to put into their notebooks.
Afterward, off to the local pub for food and beer, then to the Airbb where we were regaled with a rollicking story of Maya’s recent trip through the swamps. If you haven’t ever been present for one of Maya’s stories, you have missed something special.
A very short sleep brought us to Saturday morning where, thankfully (for those of us who needed a sit-down), we had the Jodo gradings. This was a great success where all challengers passed. It was also a test of the new membership/grading system for the CKF. Hopefully all goes well, but keep your eyes out for your new ranks kids, and everyone go sign into the system, the instructions should soon come to you by email. You have to sign yourself in, I don’t know how much information has been ported over.
The rest of Saturday was devoted to Seitei iaido and Koryu jodo I think.
After classes, we went to a BBQ where we had meat. It’s Alberta, they’ve been doing Meat for longer than they’ve been a province, so yes, MEAT. Oh, and beer.
Sunday morning, the dojo being in a church, we practised in the park. As a compromise to iaido and jodo students, we did Shinto Ryu kenjutsu. Lunch in the Mall, Eric and Pam recommend Dragon Burger.
In the afternoon, we were half in and half out again, with Jodo inside. I was inside but I’m dinged if I can remember what we did… anyone? No, wait, all were inside, and I taught a Muso Shinden Ryu set of partner practice, Kurai Dori. Yes, that’s right. I think Tribe sensei and his crew did, um, the long one, Ran Ai. Holy doodlebugs, I need more sleep.
Since the airbb had lots of food left, we did a pot luck that evening that apparently went on for a long time. I crashed out at 10pm, like a good old-man sensei should, and as I was stumbling up the stairs I heard “OK we can get out the hard liquor now!”
Oh dear.
I’d like to thank Ka Muso Kai https://kamusokai.com/ Team Calgary and Team Edmonton, for inviting us and arranging the seminar as well as taking care of us while we were there. Aurelien sensei, Ka Muso Kai, for helping to teach and sitting the CKF panel, Tribe sensei Rai Un Kai and CKF chief examiner for Jodo, for arranging the grading, the Ka Muso Kai for paying his way, Morgan sensei and Wilson sensei for paying their own way, and Jodo Canada for paying my way out to the seminar.
This is the umpteenth year that we’ve done the Western Jodo seminar, and I hope to see everyone again next year. If you’re in Alberta and want to learn Jodo or Iaido, (also Niten Ichiryu and Kage Ryu) get in touch with the Ka Muso Kai.
I always enjoy this one, especially since I can fly out of Kitchener airport, climbing up the ladder to plane and deplane, so easy. 
Thanks again to all, I hope you found it useful.
~~
Kim Taylor, Sept 19, 2023
kamusokai.com
Ka Muso Kai
We are a non-profit society that practices the Japanese martial arts of Iaido, Jodo, Hyoho Niten Ichi Ryu, and Kage Ryu in the Canadian cities of Calgary, Saskatoon, and Antigonish.
Seito Bugei Juku 