COVID-19 - Update Dec 2021
We are very eager to go back to our dojo. Our coordinators at Concordia Univ. will be soon giving us updates about the return to training considering all safety measures (distance protocols, vaccine passports, etc)
For now, all our kendo and iaido activites remain suspended.
We will keep you posted, hoping to be back at the dojo very soon.
Please stay safe and healthy!
- Shidokan



Welcome to Shidokan Kendo and Iaido Club

2024 Montreal Iaido Seminar & Grading
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Shidokan Kendo and Iaido - Winter 2024 Registration

ONLINE REGISTRATION - WINTER 2024

Dear friends, we noticed a recent glitch on Google maps. Our location appears to be on Sherbrooke St. East (by Metro Radisson). This is incorrect.
Our dojo is located at: 7200 Sherbrooke West, H4B-1R2, Loyola Campus - Gymnasium, as usual. We are working on fixing this issue. Thank you for your understanding.

...To mold the mind and body; to cultivate a vigorous spirit; and through correct and rigid training; to strive for improvement in the arts of Kendo and Iaido; to hold in esteem human courtesy and honor; to associate with others with sincerity; and to forever pursue the cultivation of one's self...



For many years "Shidokan Kendo and Iaido Club" has been operating in Montreal, Canada; Our objective is to offer the best possible information to every person seeking a serious path in Martial Arts. Feel free to navigate through our site and don't forget to pay us a visit to find out what's beyond that far away Mountain...


A true warrior has no confusion in his mind...

No Martial Art symbolizes the spirit of the warrior more than the arts of kendo and Iaido.

Never surrender

Be better today than you were yesterday and then strive to become better still...

Unleash the Warrior within you...

The students learn and practice fierce techniques, until eventually sword becomes "no sword", intention becomes "no intention", a spontaneous knowledge of every situation.

Pride and friendship

Friendship and swordsmanship shall grow together through intense and sincere training. "Respect, perseverance and humbleness"; our everyday prayer.

Unify mind, body and spirit...

Kendo and Iaido are considered the most respected living forms of Budo nowadays

Would you discover yourself?

We invite you to this journey where you will find amazing secrets about yourself through the way of the sword.

Overcome your own limits

Although the metal swords have been replaced by bamboo and wood, all other aspects of the Samurai Spirit live on in the practice of Kendo and Iaido.

Shidokan's History and Pride

Since it's foundation in 1974 produced many outstanding Kendo players in Quebec generation after generation.

Empty your mind

Through constant practice the student will be able to clear the mind giving him or her the confidence needed to overcome daily undertakings with the utmost commitment. - Santoso Hanitijo Sensei.

Douglas Funamoto Sensei

"His dedication to teaching kendo was tremendous, and his humble nature will be remembered fondly."
- Lawrence Tsuji

Experience Tradition...

Students are given the opportunity to experience an ancient Japanese tradition.

Generation after Generation

The first Shidokan generation produced outstanding Kendo players that have continued to develop the art many years later to pass their knowledge to the new generations.

Practice, Practice, Practice

At Shidokan we understand that the only way to obtain our goals and to suceed in every aspect of life is to always persevere.
Just like Sensei says : "Practice, practice and practice more"


Fees and Registration Shidokan Schedule How to become a member?

News 2023

Dec 21 2023 | Last week of training

And so 2023 comes to an end... Thank you to all our members for your dedication and unbreakable spirit. To our teachers and the logistic crew steering this ship... ありがとう ございました 🙇‍♂️ Thank you also to our dear friends for your unconditional support 🙏

We would like to take this opportunity to congratulate our very own Natasha Fracassi who is now an official member of the National kendo squad #teamcanada 🇨🇦 and will be representing us in Italy #WKC2024 💪 we are incredibly proud! 2024 certainly looks very promising. Merry christmas & happy holidays!, we'll see you very soon!





Nov 19 2023 | CKF Kendo Grading - JCCC

On the weekend of Nov 18 & 19, a Shidokan contingent travelled to Toronto to participate in the JCCC Taikai and to challenge Kendo grading. A great opportunity to test our skill and to reunite with dear friends. It was great seeing Lawrence Tsuji Sensei and Natasha Fracassi 😎 Looking forward to our next encounter 🙏 Congratz to those who passed their grading, lots of discipline and dedication 💪

上出来 !





Sep 14 2023 | Fall Session begins!

The new Fall session just started, we are happy to welcome all our new members!




Aug 26 & 27 2023 | CKF Iaido Instructors Seminar

One the weekend of Aug 26 & 27 we had the privilege to participate in the 2023 CKF Iaido Instructors Seminar, led by Atsumi Hatakenaka Sensei, Hanshi 8th Dan (Hatakenaka Sensei is a Delegate from the AJKF). The 2-day seminar was hosted by Etobicoke Kendo & Iaido Club, ON (Thank you Stephen Cruise Sensei! 🙏 ) with the support of the Canadian Kendo Federation.

It was a great opportunity to improve our iai and to understand how to better coach every detail of the Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Iai series. We also had the opportunity to practice how to properly shinpan a iaido taikai. Our sincere gratitude to Patrick Suen Sensei for organizing this event, a wonderful opportunity for the growth of iaido in Canada






Aug 16 2023 | Farewell Natasha!

In a few weeks our dear Natasha Fracassi will be starting a new adventure, continuing her studies and of course her Kendo journey in BC. We want to take this opportunity to congratulate her for making the 1st cut of top-10 players for the Team Canada selection. We will miss your indomitable spirit and your diligence in training Natasha 💪

Please come back soon!






Aug 12 & 13 2023 | Canadian National Kendo Championships

CNKC 2023 - The clash of bamboo swords, the swift footwork, and the indomitable spirit of kendoka filled the air at this year's 2023 Canadian National Kendo Championships. Held in Markham, ON from August 12 to August 13 for the first time since 2017, it was a chance for competitors from all across Canada to come together and compete.

Shidokan sent a large contingent of 10 players to compete in individual and team divisions in the Senior, Junior and provincial categories. Everybody gave it their all, and we're proud of the competitive spirit everyone displayed. Thank you to Junko Ariyama Sensei, Maxime Sensei and Veronique Sensei for their efforts in organizing and coaching the provincial teams. A big thank you to the organizers and volunteers of this event, and congratulations to all participants on their great show of fighting spirit.

Congratulations to:

  • Gabriel Schor Sensei 🥈 (silver with Team QC - Provincial Teams division)
  • Natasha Fracassi 🥉🏆 (bronze with Team QC & fighting spirit award in the Women's Team division)
  • Alysha Hum 🥉 (bronze with Team QC - Provincial Teams division)
  • Alex Datsenko 🥉🏆 (bronze with Team QC's Junior Provincial Team & fighting spirit award)





July 08 2023 | Visit from Ed Chart Sensei

Our sincere gratitude to Ed Chart Sensei, Miki Chart Sensei, Kristy LaPorte & Branden from Ottawa, ON for paying us a visit.

On this opportunity we were luck to be coached by Chart Sensei and Miki Sensei in our iaido training. For Kendo Kristy and Branden joined us for shiai practice

Please come back soon!





June 17th 2023 | CKF Kendo Grading

On June 17th, Shidokan hosted an official Canadian Federation Kendo grading. Many participants from 1st kyu to 4th dan attended to challenge their respective new rank.

Congratulations to everyone who participated and for those who achieved their new rank!






June 15 2023 | Visit from Steve from Halifax, NS

On June 15th we received a visit from Steve Harris all the way from Halifax, NS. Thank you Steve, come back any time!





June 03 2023 | Farewell Francis!

We take this opportunity to bid farewell to our dear Francis Pétrin who will start a new life adventure in Japan. Francis has been a valued member of our dojo for almost 10 years.

We will miss you brother! 気をつけて!

Also: Thank you Juan Schneider Sensei (from Kitajima dojo) for paying us a visit!






May 20 2023 | Visit from Min Hyung-Ki Sensei

Thank you 민형기 Min Hyung-Ki Sensei (from Seoul, Korea) for paying us a visit!

It was a great keiko, please visit us again soon!





May 20 2023 | GSK Tournament

We would like to congratulate Gabriel Schor Sensei 🥉 For bringing back some bling bling 💪💪💪 bronze medal in the 5dan+ Category at the 2023 Garden State Kendo Tournament! (May 20 2023 - Palisades Park, NJ) おめでとう!

You make us very proud!





May 18 2023 | Spring-Summer season begins!

Shidokan kicks off the new Spring/Summer session welcoming new members and getting ready for the gruelling training ahead.

Ganbatte!!






May 06 2023 | CKF Montreal Shinpan Seminar

On May 6th, with the support of the Canadian Kendo Federation, we hosted a Kendo Referee (shinpan) Seminar, open to all Kendoka in the region. Our gratitude to Hyun-June Choi Sensei, 7th dan Kyoshi and Mathew Raymond Sensei 7th dan Kyoshi for leading the Seminar.

It was a full day Seminar focused on improving our referee's skills as well as to review the provitional post-covid rules set by the AJKF. Our volunteer-competitors (shiasha) also had the opportunity practice against many opponents.

Thank you Kenji Toida Sensei, Jin Whan Lee Sensei, Bora Choi Sensei and to all instructors, shiai-sha and volunteers, without which this event would not have been possible. Hope to see you all again very soon!






April 23 2023 | Inazuma Kendo Taikai 稲妻剣道大会

To celebrate the end of the semester, we held an internal tournament to give all of our members a chance to compete and work on their shinpan experience. For many of our newer members, it was their first tournament: "Inazuma (lighting) Kendo Taikai"

Everyone fought hard in both the individual round robins and there were exciting team matches in the second half of the tournament.

A big thank you to our organizing committee and to all of our volunteers, without whom this event would not have been possible.






April 22 2023 | Internal kendo & iaido Gradings

With the semester coming to a close, our beginner and junior members went through internal grading in both kendo and iaido. Congratulations to everyone who passed, and thank you for all your hard work this semester! Looking forward to the road ahead.

On a different note, we want to wish the best of luck to out dear Eugene, as she travels abroad to continue her studies. Come visit us soon!






April 8th 2023 | Easter Keiko

Following a severe rain-freezing storm where many people in Quebec lost electrical power for days, our fearsome Shidokan members still managed to come to practice. A great display of spirit and perseverace!






Mar 30 2023 | Farewell Kassem!

On March 30h we bid farewell [for now] to our dear Kassem Mezher. New adventures await for him in Japan at International Budo University 国際武道大学.

- Looking forward to see how much stronger you'll become!
See you soon Kassem!
お元気で






March 25 & 26 2023 | Montreal Iaido Seminar & Grading

This March, Shidokan hosted the first Iaido Seminar and Grading event since the pandemic shutdown. We dedicated this event to the memory of our dear Robert Miller Sensei who, sadly, passed away last December.

It was good to see many old friends again and appreciate the support from the different dojos attending. It felt nice to be practicing all together again. Thank you to our dear Ohmi Sensei, Cruise Sensei and Chart Sensei for leading the Saturday seminar as well as instructors from Shidokan and from Ottawa.



A Grading session followed on Sunday morning, and we offer a well merited congratulations to all challengers who passed. Another phase complete and look onward to the next! The weekend was a great success and many thanks to the many volunteers who helped make this happen.


To everyone who attended; Thank you for your support, looking forward to seeing you again!
- Shidokan





February 2023 | Stevenston Taikai & Detroit Open Taikai

In February, a few Shidokan members participated in various kendo events. In Vancouver BC, there were Team Canada Prospects practices and the 59th Stevenston Taikai (February 11th). In Detroit US, there was a seminar led by Komeda Toshiro Sensei (Kyoshi 8th Dan) as well as the 2023 Detroit Open Taikai (February 18th and 19th).

Both weekends were a great learning experience for our Shidokan memebers. They fought and trained with heart! Thank you for representing us Gabriel Schor, Natasha Fracassi & Kassem Mezher.

A big thank you to head coach Dean Ara sensei as well as the other Team Canada coaches who taught and supported our members. Also, a thank you to Komeda Sensei for coming all the way from Japan to run an amazing seminar.
-Some of these photos are credited to @KendoPhotography






Jan 21st 2023 | 2023, Here we go!






December 22nd 2022 | Last week of the year






Dec 17th 2022 | Internal Kendo grading

On Dec 17th our beginner group and some of our junior members went through our internal kendo grading.






Dec 10 2022 | Practice and farewells






Dec 09 2022 | Tozai Taiko at MKC






November 19th 2022 | 2022 Ottawa Iaido Taikai

The weekend of November 19th, a few members of Shidokan joined up with our friends in Ottawa for the 2022 Ottawa Iaido Taikai, hosted by Tokushikai and Patrick Suen Sensei. We were honored to have Susan Sekreta Sensei lead and judge the Taikai competition. Congratulations to the Shidokan members who each took home a medal!

Sunday followed with a half day Iaido Seminar. Always time to learn more and grow. The weekend was a great learning experience and we hope to represent Shidokan at many more Taikai events.

Our gratitude to Patrick Suen Sensei and Tokushikai Canada Dojo for organizing this 2022 Ottawa Iaido Taikai.






November 13th 2022 | CKF Kendo Grading

This November one of the largest contingents from Shidokan travelled to Toronto for the fall grading. With members challenging grades ranging from 1kyu to 5dan, we are happy to say most passed their exams successfully. It is great to see after all the hard work put in by each kendoka in the months leading up to the grading.

Congratulations to everyone! We would especially like to congratulate Juan Vasquez Sensei and Gabriel Schor Sensei on acquiring their 5dan at this grading.





October 30th 2022 | Quebec Godokeiko

During the weekend of October 30th 2022, Kenji Toida Sensei, 7th dan Kyoshi of MKC organized and led a godokeiko, hosted in collaboration with Shidokan at Vanier College. During the godokeiko, kendoka are given the opportunity to keiko with sensei and practitioners from all over Quebec. It was a great opportunity to get advice for the upcoming grading as well as for general improvement, in addition to being a wonderful event to bring together the Quebec Kendo community.

Thank you to everyone who participated, and we hope to see everyone again soon!






October 29th 2022 | A visit from Miami, FL

We would like to express our gratitude to Ahmed Gaballa for paying us a visit all the way from Shidogakuin Miami, FL. Please come back soon!






September 15th 2022 | Shidokan, Back at Loyola!

For the new fall Season 2022, we finally returned to our main dojo located at Concordia University Loyola Campus. It was great to step back into Concordia after a long time away, to welcome so many new faces, and to see many familiar faces returning.

A great start to the semester, lets all work hard to complete each of our goals for the end of the year!






September 10th 2022 | Shidokan Internal Taikai

To end the summer season, we held an internal taikai as an opportunity for members to acquire more shiai experience and provide senior members with a chance to work on their shinpan skills.

Thank you to all of our beginner volunteers for helping out and making this fun opportunity possible!






September 7th & 8th 2022 | Concordia Student Union Fair

At the beginning of the fall session, our diligent members voluntered to represent Shidokan at the Concordia Student Union Fair.

After all the closures during the pandemic, this was a great opportunity to promote our dojo within the University.

Thank you very much everybody, great job!






August 27th & 28th 2022 | 2022 CKF "Ottawa-Montreal" Iaido Summer Seminar and Grading

On the weekend of August 27th & 28th the Canadian Kendo Federation in colaboration with the Tokushikai Dojo, hosted the 2022 "Ottawa-Montreal Regional" Iaido Summer Seminar and Grading. The seminars were led by Goyo Ohmi Sensei (Iaido Kyoshi 7-Dan, Kendo 6-Dan) and Stephen Cruise Sensei (Iaido Kyoshi 7-Dan, Kendo 5-Dan)

We had the privilege to review our Zen Ken Ren Iaido training with Cruise Sensei, Ohmi Sensei and Ed Chart Sensei. At the same time students from Montreal and Ottawa had the opportunity to challenge grading.



We would like to thank Patrick Suen Sensei from Tokushikai for his devotion and diligence in organizing these fantastic events. Arigato!




August 17th 2022 | An old friend visits Shidokan

We would like to express our gratitude to Tuan Anh Hoang Sensei for paying us a visit!. Tuan Anh now resides in Japan and continues his training there. As a former member of the Canadian National Kendo Team, he showed his skill and spirit in our keiko together. Thank you Tuan Anh! Please come back soon!






August 13th 2022 | Montreal Kendo Taikai

After 2 long years the Montreal Kendo Tournament (Taikai) returned to town. We were very happy to see old friends reunited again for a full day of kendo. It was a great display of spirit and determination. Shidokan's women division delivered a powerful performance, obtaining great achievements, Congratulations!

Women's division

  • Natasha Fracassi - Gold medal
  • Alysha Hum - Bronze medal

Women's Team Division

  • Shidokan Women's A - Bronze medal
    Natasha Fracassi
    Alysha Hum
    Irina Patrocinio-Frazao


Thanks to all Shidokan members who participated, our volunteers who came to cheer us on, and to the McGill Kendo Club for hosting the event. See you at the next tournament!




August 6th 2022 | Welcoming friends

On Saturday August 6th 2022, during our iaido practice we received the visit of our dear friends, from Ottawa: Patrick Suen Sensei & Hanna Ikeda-Suen, from Toronto: Peter Kim. Patrick-Sensei led part of our iaido class and shared a very interesting approach to our training. During Kendo we also received the visit of Stevie Roquelaure Sensei from Guadeloupe, we enjoyed great keiko together. Our sincere gratitude to our friends, we hope our paths will cross again soon.






July 9th 2022 | Visit from Miki Chart

On July 9th we received a visit from our friend Miki Chart, a iaido and kendo practicioner from Tateyama Kendo Club in Ottawa.

We enjoyed a great practice, thank you very much for visiting us Miki!
Hope to see you again soon!




June 29th 2022 | Montreal Shinpan Seminar

On June 29th, Shidokan hosted a Kendo Shinpan (referee) Seminar open to all practicioners in Quebec. The seminar was led by Junko Ariyama Sensei and Kenji Toida Sensei. The objective was to review the new approach and changes to judging a match given by the AKJF.

We think it's very important for all kendo practicioners to understand the new rules and procedures during taikai/shiai in order to conduct a proper judgment during the matches. It was very enlighting, we think this is a possitive move for Kendo in general.



We would like to thank Ariyama Sensei, Toida Sensei and all kendoka(s) who participated in this event. Special thanks to our volunteers for helping us manage the seminar, great job everybody!




June 18th 2022 | CKF Kendo Grading in QC City

On June 18th a Shidokan contingent traveled to QC city to participate in the CKF Kendo grading. It was great to see an event back in the province after quite a while. Our members performed great and will soon be ready to challenge their next rank.

Shinsa (Grading) is an important part of a kendoka's journey, we appreciate everyone's effort.
A big Thank you to the organizers! Milestones achieved, new challenges ahead, congratz! now let's get back to work!





June 4th 2022 | See you soon brother!

June 4th was one of our senior members last training with Shidokan. Our brother Sarmad Al-Mashta has embarked in a new life adventure in the Canadian west coast. We will miss you dearly Sarmad, we hope you come visit us very soon! Good luck with your new life and keep training as hard as always, carrying the spirit of our Kokorozashi.






May 14th 2022 | Shinpan Seminar, Etobicoke ON

Canadian Kendo Federation Kendo Referee Seminar - Etobicoke, ON. Thank you to Kimura Sensei, Kamata Sensei and Asa Sensei for the seminar, and all the participants.

It is great to see everyone returning to kendo and working to improve the level of officiating.

Pictures courtesy S. Kamata, KendoNord





May 2022 | New Summer Season kicks in!

We are happy to announce Shidokan is receiving beginner students again! These past 2 years have been hard more many kendo & iaido dojos, Shidokan in no exception.

We are very lucky to have a very strong core of dedicated members who are eager to share their passion with the next generation under the leadership of Santoso Sensei. During the Summer we will be training at the Concordia Loyola Chapel & Vanier College. Ganbatte!







Shidokan old posts

Shidokan Video pick of the month

August 2023 | 21st Japan 8th dan Kendo Championship Final

On Sunday, Apr 16 2023 the 21st All Japan 8th dan Kendo Championship took place at the Biwazima Sports Center in Nagoya. We had the opportunity to witness an incredible display of high level kendo from famous players such as Fumihiro Miyazaki, Eiga Hideyuki and his younger brother Eiga Naoki among other great kenshi.

The title went to Eiga Naoki Sensei from Hokkaido after a heated exchange in the finals against Kazuhiko Aiko Sensei from Osaka.

第21回全日本選抜剣道八段優勝大会 決勝
令和 5年 4月16日(日)・ 枇杷島スポーツセンター
[赤](大阪)愛甲 和彦 -メメ 栄花 直輝(北海道)[白]





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