Ka Muso Kai - Antigonish

Ka Muso Kai - Antigonish Traditional Japanese Swordsmanship Seminar January 30, 31, February 1, 2015

December 1st, 2014

Antigonish, Nova Scotia – The Ka Muso Kai is proud to announce its official start-up in Antigonish by presenting its 1st Annual New Year’s Seminar. The Canadian martial arts clubs focus on Traditional Japanese Swordsmanship, known as Iaido. This new Antigonish club will host Kim Taylor Sensei (7th dan Iaido, 5th dan Jodo) for a three-day seminar at StFX University. Participants will have the opportunity to observe and practice the art of Iaido.

The sword-based art of the Samurai remains a rare practice in Canada, and it is the Ka Muso Kai’s mission to provide genuine and legitimate instruction in this art. Iaido can be defined by its 'kanji' or characters as meaning 'the way of harmonizing one's self in action at all times and in all conditions.' Iaido is not practiced as a two-person combative martial art. The practitioner imagines opponents while moving through combat sequences, known in Japanese as 'kata' or generally (and not sufficiently in English) as 'forms'. Almost all Iaido involves individual practice. It is a mindfulness practice.

Due to the longstanding practice of hand-to-hand martial arts in Canada, and the rarity of weapons based martial arts, this seminar will provide a refreshing look at the Japanese sword art. This portion of the Japanese Culture is not overlooked in fiction and the media, but it is often overlooked in practice. Through regular classes and seminars such as these it is the Ka Muso Kai’s goal to provide this art form to eastern Canada.

For more information, contact:

Chris Gilham Head Instructor Ka Muso Kai Antigonish 902 – 867 - 3764 [email protected]

Seminar Details:

Gilmora Hall Gymnasium St. Francis Xavier University P.O. Box 5000 Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5

Friday: 6 pm – 9 pm Saturday: 9 am – Noon and 1 pm – 4 pm Sunday: 9 am – Noon

Per session cost: $30 Full weekend cost: $100

More Information about Iaido: www.calgaryiaidoclub.net www.kendo-canada.com Experience Japanese Swordsmanship in Antigonish, Nova Scotia

While most Canadians will be familiar with hand-to-hand martial arts such as Karate, Aikido and Tae Kwon Do, many other weapon-based arts remain in obscurity. The lack of exposure traditional Japanese swordsmanship has received is intriguing considering that this portion of the Japanese Culture is not generally overlooked in fiction and the media. For more than 10 years now two Ka Muso Kai martial arts clubs in Calgary and Saskatoon have been raising the profile of some of these lesser known arts.

As a part of this endeavor Ka Muso Kai will be hosting its Antigonish inaugural club opening 1st Annual New Year’s Seminar from January 30 to February 1st, 2015. This seminar will be led by Kim Taylor Sensei, who has the ranks of 7th dan Iaido and 5th dan Jodo. During this three-day event, Taylor sensei will be providing instruction in Iaido.

Iaido is the name for the practice of a traditional Japanese long sword art. Iaido can be defined by its 'kanji' or characters as meaning 'the way of harmonizing one's self in action at all times and in all conditions.' Iaido is not practiced as a two-person combative martial art. Practitioners imagine opponents while moving through combat sequences, known in Japanese as 'kata' or generally (and not sufficiently in English) as 'forms'. Almost all Iaido practice would be considered individual or solo practice. Iaido is patterned: a student draws the sword and cuts in the same motion, followed by at least one more 'finishing' cut, a signature motion to 'clean' the sword, and a final sheathing of the sword to finish where one began. Iaido is part of a family, related closely in philosophy and combat application. Iaido is a sibling to Kendo and Jodo. This family of arts resides under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Kendo Federation.

As of December 2014, Ka Muso Kai Antigonish now provides classes once per week (Wednesdays, 8- 10 pm, Gilmora Hall Gymnasium) focusing on Iaido. Beginners are welcome at all Ka Muso Kai classes and events. Generally the first regular class is free. The drop-in rate for training is $7 per class. A 3-month membership is $90. A 1-year membership is $300. St. FX students receive a 25% discount on these rates. A separate fee is required in order to attend the seminar. As a non-profit organization, all fees are used to pay for gymnasium rental and other costs such as hosting seminars. For more information on attending the seminar, and the practice of traditional Japanese swordsmanship through the dojos of Ka Muso Kai, please visit www.calgaryiaidoclub.net.