"Shidokan" - Heritage and Pride A Brief History of Shidokan Kendo & Iaido Club
The Story Begins
The Communion
How Shidokan evolved into a "Kendo and Iaido" dojo is greatly due to the hard work and dedication of Santoso Hantijo , Robert Miller and Dean Jolly. They played an important role in the communion of the two martial arts. They have kept the spirit of both Funamoto Sensei and Okimura Sensei alive and they are the greatest connection to our dojo's legacy.
Former Shidokan Instructors such as Lawrence Tsuji Sensei, who no longer lives in Montreal, keep very close contact with the new generation, regularly visiting and giving valuable advice to keep the true Shidokan spirit alive. We are very lucky to also receive kind advice from former Shidokan members such as Gilles Valiquette Sensei, who was Funamoto Sensei's first student, and now is the head instructor at the Isshin dojo.
The Locations
The physical location of Shidokan has changed over the years. The Kendo, Iaido, Karate and Aikibudo groups moved from the old location on De Maisonneuve st. to the Gold Gym, and then to the Tri-Star gym on Jean Talon.
Around 1996 the Tri-Star Gym closed down. It was then that a close friend of Santoso Sensei and Robert Sensei : Melarie Taylor Sensei (from Shidokan Karate) secured a time slot at Concordia University, and generously offered a training space for the Kendo group as well. Nowadays Shidokan Kendo & Iaido Club takes up residence primarily at Concordia's Loyola campus (main Kendo and Iaido instruction), and at John Abbott College (Iaido instruction only).
The Friends
During the time at the Tri-star gym in the 90's, our brothers from the Montreal Kendo Club joined for practice led by their founder and valued friend of Shidokan: Ono Sensei. Until this day Shidokan holds great respect for Ono Sensei, and keeps great relations with the MKC (Nowadays under the guidance of Junko Ariyama Sensei) often visiting each other and enjoying Kendo together as brothers.
Founder of Shidokan, Funamoto Sensei
History in the making
For many years to come, Funamoto Sensei and Okimura Sensei's legacy will live on in his students and his teachings will always be Shidokan's most valued treasure. |
Shidokan Memorabilia
Thanks to Lawrence Tsuji Sensei: Old Shidokan flyers
Arigato Dear Sensei !