2019 ECT Spotlight: Michael Hodge

I began my iaido journey in November of 2001 at what is now known as the Mumonkai Iaido Club at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Center in Toronto, Canada.  My principal teacher is Goyo Ohmi, nanadan kyoshi. Presently my focus, through rigorous training, is to deepen my knowledge of my teacher’s iaido lineage and to continue to solidify my own personal style based on his teachings as I become eligible for my rokudan iaido rank in late 2019.

My favourite experiences in iaido involve travelling for the first time to foreign countries to attend seminars.

As someone who has experienced the bulk of his travelling later in life, my first substantial trip was for an iaido seminar in New Jersey via New York City approximately ten years ago.  I have said that my first time landing in Manhattan from Toronto by bus, and taking the stairs from the city’s Port Authority to the street to be only to greeted by the iconic yellow taxis and the nighttime glow of Time’s Square was an experience I  still consider transcendent. The experience of travelling prompt a very welcome self-reflection in me, since I believe one’s home is intricately woven into who we are as people and seeing new places creates a revitalizing spark in me -- I will likely never tire of the experience.

In the years following, I would regularly travel to other countries that include England and Belgium, to further my iaido studies.

As well, I am relatively new urban photographer of two years. I can be expected to be found around the city photographing the sites and sounds of New Jersey and New York while I am in town for the seminar.

(Michael will be competing in the 5-Dan division)

2019 ECT Spotlight: Catherine Matchuk

I started practicing Iaido at 12 years old, having been introduced to the art by my mother, Marianne Matchuk. I took a break for my education, completing a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, and decided to return to the martial art six years ago.

The decision to return was one of the best choices I ever made. It's very meaningful to me that after all those years I found myself rekindling that past love. This is an art in which I will never stop growing.

I've met an amazing amount of people that I call my Iaido family, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to connect with my mother.

I've known Ohmi Sensei for most of my life now, and I consider him my grandpa. I also have proof that he called me his favourite student. Was this when I stole his phone and pretended to be him? Maybe, maybe not. You have no evidence.

Mu Mon Kai will always remain my home, and my Iaido family will always be in my heart.

(Catherine will be competing in the 3-Dan division)

2019 ECT Spotlight: Kyle Kolodij

I was introduced to Iaido at Rai Un Kai dojo; my teachers are Eric Tribe Sensei and Doug Martin Sensei.  

Iaido is an amazing journey that, I find, brings together your mind, body and spirit.  Currently, I am focusing on the concept of perfection through kikentai ichi and to be able to tell a story through movement and energy. 

Community and personal growth is much of what I have achieved through Iaido.  On the surface, Iaido appears to be about perfecting the use of a sword; however, below the surface, you can see its evolution into something whose intent now is to also bring people together.  It is certainly one part individual and one part community.

I am very passionate about the way of the sword.  I am also a student of Zen Nippon Kendo Renmei Jodo (Rai Un Kai dojo) and lead a study group in Yagyu Shinkage Ryu Kenjutsu at Mushin Kenjutsu dojo (a Keiko-Kai of Tokumeikan under the direction of Douglas Tong Sensei).

2019 ECT Spotlight: Philip Benoit

I started iaido in the spring of 2000 or 2001 in Ottawa Ontario under Dave Green Sensei. I've also had the opportunity to train for 3 years with Goyo Ohmi Sensei in Toronto Ontario.

I feel blessed in sharing roots in two different iaido schools. My Iaido family is just that much bigger!

Some of my fondest memories in Iaido involve sharing and learning about Iaido from other students at seminars while not sharing a common language with them.

Both of us could only help each other using very basic sign language to communicate. Using a combination of thumbs up and smiles, or shaking our heads and making an X with our hands, the rest was modifying our iaido to mimic what we thought we saw the other doing, or pausing at certain points to bring focus to different aspects of movement. We both improved a lot that morning and we discovered that we shared a common 'language' after all, despite not being able to 'speak' to each other!

During practice, I've been working on developing proper mindset and exploring the nuances in Ki Ken Tai Ichi and other timing. 

(Philip will be competing in the 5-Dan division)

2019 ECT Spotlight: Hanna Ikeda-Suen

My life would have been very different if I did not step inside the dojo at JCCC on January 7th 2007. I started practicing Iaido under the instruction of Goyo Ohmi-sensei and Sandra Jorgenson-sensei, and I have been practicing under Stephen Cruise-sensei's instruction at the Etobicoke Olympium since 2017.

Through Iaido, I met many friends, role models, and best of all, my husband. Iaido has taught me patience, the importance of perseverance, and helped me reconnect with my Japanese culture and heritage I have abandoned when I was 16 years old.

One thing I am currently focusing on is to trust my sword and not to control it with my hands. I need to trust the weight of the sword instead of forcefully bringing down the sword to cut. I need to listen to the sword to check the angles. My sword has taken me to many great places; dojos across and outside of Canada. My sword has lead me to meet great group of people. My sword and I have participated in many competitions together. I know my sword will continue to guide me to the right path.

I met numerous inspiring senseis from Japan, who kept my motivation to get through all the challenges and slumps. Here are some of the quotes that were shared by them that I use them as my mottos.

"Iaido is not an act of killing. Iaido is an act of protecting the people you love."

"The goal of participating in competitions is not about how many flags you receive. It is about how much your can learn from the experience. Three flags or no flags, if you learned something from the competition, you are a winner."

"Wouldn't it be great to remove the boarders and barriers and spread peace around the world through Iaido?"

(Hanna will be competing in the 4-Dan division)

2019 ECT Spotlight: Warren Wagler

Hi I’m Warren, I started my Iaido journey when I was a teenager with Sensei Wilson, and have now been practicing for 8 years.

I practice Iaido because it is both challenging and fulfilling as you are constantly evolve your skills to achieve perfection, It is well worth the effort. To others Iaido may seem like an individual art, but to me Iaido is my second family.

I have made friends from places I have never been before and I look forward to making more.

(Warren will be competing in the 3-Dan division)

2019 ECT Spotlight: Francis Domingo

I was just a teenager when I began training in Iaido at around 2006 under Ohmi-sensei and Jorgenson-sensei of Mumonkai Dojo which was located at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre.

Since the beginning of my iaido training, I have become increasingly absorbed into the philosophies and different styles of iaido. The current focus of my training is to further explore "koryu" and to combine traditional with modern thinking which can be used in the competitive aspects of iaido.

My best memories  of training in iaido is always about being a part of large gatherings like seminars and taikai. I find it very encouraging to see students and teachers from far away lands and from different walks of life meeting and training together.

(Francis will be competing in the 2-Dan division)

2019 ECT Spotlight: Carolina Merizalde

I started Iaido almost 3 years ago with Dean Jolly Sensei, at the Mokuyobi Dojo (Shidokan) in the West Island of Montreal.

Since the beginning Iaido my focus  has been about learning infinite details about the Katas, the meaning and logic behind every cut or turn, the technique basics and discovering the emotions that such a complex art can show us.

The best experience I had so far with Iaido is how it has challenged me to surpass mental and physical limits. It is an art that has shown me a great deal on humility, discipline and respect toward others.

Being part of a community of people who unconditionally share their knowledge and give their very best to others is something hard to find, and I am more than grateful to be part of it.

(Carolina will be competing in the 1-Dan division)