Etobicoke Olympium Kendo / Iaido Club

Find us this Saturday, April 18, at Renshin Women's Kendo Taikai! We will be kicking off fundraising for our 45th Anniversary Seminars. We would love to see you there!

For more info about anniversary seminars details: https://www.etobicokekendoiaido.com/45th-anniversary-seminar

Save the date for our upcoming 45th anniversary seminar. Stay tuned for event details and upcoming fundraising events.

We are proud to announce that Lily Hoysak from our club has been selected for Jr. Team Canada to participate at the Kaiseki High School Kendo Tournament in Akita, Japan! Help support Jr. Team Canada. Any donation will help.

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/canadian-kendo-federation-fdration-kendo-du-canada/p2p/kaiseiki20026/page/support-harumi-for-junior-team-canada-2026-ELK

Shigemitsu Kamata sensei has been an integral part of our club for many years, contributing his expertise and passion to the growth and development of our members and the kendo community. His dedication and guidance have left an indelible mark on our club, and his presence will be sorely missed, not only by the members of our Etobicoke club but also by the broader Ontario and Canadian Kendo community.

Please join us this Sunday for his farewell practice followed by a special lunch gathering!

We wish Kamata sensei all the best in his future endeavours.

Congratulations to all who passed their internal grading. Also, thank you all the guests for visiting including B.Kim & S.Kim from Team Canada!

On February 9th, 2024, Koki Ariga sensei passed away. We would like to thank the Ariga family for sharing the memories of Koki Ariga sensei.

The members of Etobicoke Kendo and Iaido club wishes to express our gratitude to Koki Ariga sensei for the founding role of our club. His significant contributions have touched upon many in the kendo community and his legacy will continue to live on within the spirits of Etobicoke Kendo and Iaido club.

About Koki Ariga sensei:

"Koki Ariga, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and respectfully known as Ariga sensel. pacred away on February 9, 2024 at the age of 79. His battle with serious medical issues in recent years showed his mental strength in facing life challenges with courage and determination. There is no doubt that his over 60 years of kendo training, as well as his 53 years of devoted love in marrlage, defined the road in which he walked with belief, bold intention, and kindness.
Koki was introduced to Kendo by his parents in Hokkaido, Japan at the age of 9. where he grew up with his 4 brothers and 1 sister. He spent his summers on Hachijo Island, spearfishing and swimming in the ocean that he loved so much. He studied industrial engineering and was on the Chuo University Kendo feam, and apon graduation, was appointed to go to Canada to develop kendo outside of Japan.
He immigrated to Canada in 1967 at the age of 23, to bring his knowledge of Kendo to North America. He taught Kendo at the Japanese Canadian Culture Center in Toronto, and he was the co-founder of Etobicoke Kendo Club. He represented Canada multiple times at the World Kendo Championships, leading Canada to two silver medals in 1973 and 1976. He met the love of his life, Maria, while working in a camera store in Toronto where their love story began. In 1983, Koki and Maria moved to Redondo Beach, California with their 2 daughters. Adriana and Tracey.
Here, he was licensed in real estate, continued teaching at Gardena Kendo Dojo. served as AUSKF Vice-President, and officiated at multiple World Kendo Championships. They then moved to Troy, Ohio where Koki helped establish F&P america, an automotive manufacturing plant where he became a Senior Purchasing Manager, while teaching Kendo at Miami Valley Kendo Club. He was president of ECUSKE, and Kendo Kyoshi 7th Dan.
Together, Koki and Maria retired to Surfside Beach, South Carolina where they took time to settle down, travel, become grandparents and enjoy their family and the life they created."