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"Hey sensei, what should I be using on my shinken?" says one of my students.Steel is steel, so anything that protects steel should protect a sword. Having said that, bluing or browning is likely not a good thing to put on a sword....Then you get into "what's SUPPOSED to be used" on a Japanese sword.I'm … Continue reading Choji vs Camomile vs Baby Oil – May 1, 2014, Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan

As I read through an awful lot of posts by people I don't recognize on the net one of the thoughts that most often pop up in my head is "talk to me in 20 years". As a matter of fact, I say that to myself in class too, when a student asks something that … Continue reading In 20 Years – Apr 28, 2014, Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan

Let me not die ingloriously and without struggle, but let me first do some great thing that shall be told amongst men hereafter! - from the Iliad

Courage is resistance to Fear, mastery of Fear, not the absence of Fear!

Seminar Season is here and you want to learn a Japanese martial art at a seminar with Japanese speaking sensei?. What's the best thing to do? Here's two ends of the continuum I suppose:Just want to learn the art? I don't think any sort of translator is necessary, and in fact any translation can often … Continue reading Language and Culture and Budo Oh My – April 22, 2014, Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan

Very occasionally (like when a 6dan test is coming up) I find it necessary to make a special effort with a student to let them know just how good they are. This seems like it should never be a problem, who doesn't know how good they are, but a dedicated student will never be happy … Continue reading Teaching beyond the details – April 20, 2014, Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan