Sensei’s Blog

Yesterday we decided to get up off our knees and take a rest by going through two of the partner sets of our koryu iaido, Tachi Uchi no Kurai and Kurai Dori. Of course I got enthusiastic and stomped a lot, of course I further damaged my knees, but in a different way than my … Continue reading That’s not Right – Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan Iaido and Roukudan Jodo

Seitei Jodo last evening, we'll practice it a lot between now and the grading in a couple of weeks. The registrations for the seminar are trickling in, I hope registrations for grading are being done. As an official of the CKF I would like folks to get into the grading system as soon as possible. … Continue reading Hooked In – Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan Iaido and Roukudan Jodo

The 2018 FIK grading gudelines have been published in English so I might as well take the chance to go through them for those who don't have them yet. I would especially like the Jodo administrators (regional examiners and grading officers) to read this, and compare the new edition of the guidelines to the 2012 … Continue reading FIK 2018 Standard guidelines for Dan/Kyu – Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan Iaido and Roukudan Jodo

Everyone wants to improve, it's a natural human inclination to want to rise lot in the world. I think that's why kids like grading in the martial arts, they like to get that next level because it means they're learning stuff. (Funny they don't usually get that same enthusiasm for tests in school... ) Improvement … Continue reading Up the Ladder – Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan Iaido and Roukudan Jodo

We went through Omori Ryu last evening, that's the first set of Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu. I need to explain that, because it seems fewer and fewer people around here are practicing. This is a shame, there is so much more in koryu than Seitei Iai. I know that sounds harsh, and I don't mean … Continue reading Koryu Iai, What good is it? – Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan Iaido and Roukudan Jodo

Here's a question from one of my students: "How long have you been doing each art? For instance, when did you start iai, then niten, then jo? You’ve been doing iaido for much longer correct? Or are you better at iai because you had a non-seminar teacher? I'm just wondering because you always have so … Continue reading What you know, what you teach. – Kim Taylor, Renshi, CI Sei Do Kai Guelph ON, Nanadan Iaido and Roukudan Jodo