Ittokai Sword Club

The Great Lakes Iaido Community (GLIC) is proud to celebrate several promotions from the 2025 AUSKF Iaido Summer camp:
• Susan Sekreta Sensei’s passing of her Kyoshi Exam!!! Presenting Sekreta Sensei, Iaido Nanadan Kyoshi!
• Nancy James Sensei, on her promotion to Iaido Nanadan (7Dan)!
• Kevin Thibedeau Sensei, on his promotion to Iaido Godan (5Dan)!

Congratulations to them, and to everyone who passed their exams!

The Great Lakes Iaido Community (GLIC) did very well at 2025 AUSKF National Iaido Taikai!
The Taikai was held in Houston, Texas on August 2, 2025, from 9a-4p
GLIC Member 2025 Taikai results:
• Kevin Thibedeau Sensei (Ittokai): Yondan Division Gold Medal, and Murakami Cup winner
• Orsolya Kiss Sensei (Touyuukai): Godan Division Gold Medal, and Murosako Cup winner
• Tak Furuta Sensei (Ittokai): Rokudan Division Gold Medal, and Yamagichi Cup winner

GLIC is very grateful to the community, Seniors and Sensei! Special thanks for Parker S. And Sekreta S.

4th Annual Ottawa Iaido Taikai 2025 Report:

The 4th annual Ottawa Iaido Taikai (OIT) was held on Saturday, 7/19 with an evening Taikai Prep Session on Friday, 07/18 and a Post Taikai Morning Class on Sunday, 07/20!



The event was extremely well run and organized thanks to the efforts of Patrick Suen Sensei, Hanna Ikeda-Suen Sensei, all the wonderful members of the Tokushikai Dojo, and the hard-working volunteers!



This year the Ittokai Dojo had a contingent travel from ROC to Ottawa to attend the various Iai/Taikai Sessions and to participate in the Taikai. The Sensei at the Friday and Sunday training sessions this weekend were Stephen Cruise Sensei (Iaido, Kyoshi Nanadan) and Pam Parker Sensei (Iaido Kyoshi Nanadan). At the Taikai on Saturday, Stephen Cruise Sensei was the Shinpan-Cho (main referee director) with Pam Parker Sensei and Ed Chart Sensei (Iaido, Renshi Nanadan) as the Shinpan Shunin (court specific referee director).



There were 8 Canadian and 3 US Dojo represented with over 30 Taikai participants. The Budo fellowship and camaraderie was awesome as folks came together to learn, train, compete and connect.





4th OIT 2025 Taikai: Saturday - 07/19

The OIT2025 Taikai on Saturday was well represented by the Ittokai Dojo this year. The Taikai had over 30 competitors of all different levels and abilities demonstrating their Iai Waza and high spirit with inspiring performances!



Notable OIT2025 & Ittokai Highlights:

* The 4th OIT had the "standard" divisions (Bokutou, Mudansha, Kyu, Yudan, Kodan) as well as Team Taikai.
* HOWEVER, this year there was a special emphasis on Koryu where the Kodansha (2Dan, 3Dan) and Cruise Cup (4Dan) Divisions had to demonstrate Koryu Reiho and 5 Koryu Kata (Jiyuuwaza, free choice)!
* This year also introduced Embu Taikai for the Godans (5Dan) and Rokudans (6Dan) to demonstrate their Koryu with Koryu Reiho and 7 Koryu Kata of their choosing.
* The Godans had their Embu Taikai after the opening ceremonies, and the Rokudans had their Embu Taikai after lunch before the teams Taikai elimination matches.
* The three attending Nanadans chose the winner in each of the Embu Taikai groups.
* The Nanadans did Koryu Embu of 7 Koryu Kata prior to the start of the finals in the afternoon.
* Opening Ceremonies: Kevin Thibedeau Sensei, as the defending 3rd OIT 2024 Yondan (4Dan) Division Champion, returned the Cruise Cup.
* Taikai: Kevin Thibedeau Sensei was a Shinpan (referee) on Court-B for various matches leading up to the Yondan Division.
* Tak Furuta Sensei was a Shinpan on Court-A and also Shushin (head referee) for various matches as well as in the Finals (Bokutou, Kyu, Kodansha, Teams Divisions).
* Matches: Kevin Thibedeau Sensei, as the 2024 Champion, defended his title as a competitor in the Yondan (4Dan) division in the morning on Court-B in round-robin matches and then single elimination matches.
* Kevin Thibedeau Sensei competed in a very competitive Yondan division showing his smooth and intense Koryu Waza with High Spirit all the way to the Yondan Finals after lunch!
* After Lunch: Tak Furuta Sensei along with three other highly skilled Rokudans did their Embu Taikai in Kyoto Taikai style.
* Embu Taikai: The serene silence was punctuated by the sounds of Iaito sharply cutting through the air as the Rokudans gave inspiring performances for the participants and Nanadan Judges to experience.




4h OIT2025 Taikai Finals:

The Cruise Cup (4-Dan) final was the last match of the individual Divisions in a fast-paced and high-energy Taikai. Event participants and Sensei watched in hushed silence as Kevin Thibedeau Sensei faced Peter Kim Sensei! Together, they delivered an exciting and intense match as both competitors demonstrated their Koryu at the highest level of the Taikai.

When the "Hantei" (Judgement) call echoed through the gym space, Thibedeau Sensei prevailed over Kim Sensei in the Cruise Cup Division Championship! (3 flags-Thibedeau, 0 flags-Kim).





EC2025 Taikai Recognition and Congratulations to:

· Kevin Thibedeau Sensei: 1st place 4-Dan Division

· Hanna Ikeda Suen Sensei: Winner-Godan Koryu Embu Taikai

· Tak Furuta Sensei: Winner-Rokudan Koryu Embu Taikai

The Ittokai Dojo was very well represented at OIT 2025.





CONGRATULATIONS to Kevin Thibedeau Sensei for defending his OIT Yondan Division Title as the 2025 Cruise Cup Winner!!

CKF National Iaido Seminar & Examination (NISE) 2024 Iaido Seminar/Taikai/Shinsa Report:

This past weekend into Monday the North American Iaido Community had a fantastic Canadian Kendo Federation: National Iaido Seminar & Examination (NISE) 2024 Iaido event from Sat. 08/24 to Mon. 08/26 in Vancouver, BC, Canada. The event brought Iaidoka from all over the US, Canada, Central and South America! The Budo fellowship and camaraderie was awesome as folks came together to learn, train, compete and connect.

CKF NISE 2024 Seminar: Sat. 08/24 – Mon. 08/26
The Ittokai was represented at the CKF-NISE Iaido seminar held at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) Rec Center by Kevin Thibedeau Sensei and Tak Furuta Sensei. At the seminar the Ittokai members practiced and learned from the ZNKR Japanese Delegation as follows:
• Kusama Junichi Sensei, Hanshi 8 Dan
• Maruoka Akihito Sensei, Kyoshi 8 Dan
• Jikibara Norimasa Sensei, Kyoshi 8 Dan

All day Saturday and Sunday morning, Kusama Sensei assisted by Jikibara Sensei taught the 4D-6D group, while Maruoka Sensei taught the Kyu-3D group. The Monday afternoon post-grading seminar was split into three groups:
• Kusama Sensei taught the 7D-6D group,
• Maruoka Sensei taught the 5D-4D group;
• Jikibara Sensei taught the 3D-Kyu group.

CKF NISE 2024 Taikai: Sun. 08/25
The CKF-NISE Open Taikai on Sunday was well represented by the Ittokai. The Taikai had competitors of different levels and abilities demonstrating their Iai Waza and Budo spirit with inspirational and riveting performances!
Notable Highlights
• Kevin Thibedeau Sensei participated as a competitor in a competitive 4-Dan division on Court A in single elimination matches up to the 4-Dan semi-finals.
• Tak Furuta Sensei participated as a competitor in the largest and very competitive 5-Dan division on Court A in single elimination matches till the 5-Dan finals.
• Furuta Sensei was a Shinpan (Referee/Judge) and Shushin (Lead Judge) for the Shodan (1-Dan) division.
• Due to a compressed schedule, preliminary and semi-final matches required that competitors perform 5 ZNKR Iai katas with no Hajime/Owari Reiho, and with 4 minutes duration allowed for each match.
• Orsyola Kiss Sensei (Touyuukai) was assisting in the back court as scorekeeper/runner.

CKF NISE 2024 Taikai Finals:
The Taikai finals started after a fast-paced and efficiently run event. Court-A and Court-B conducted each division’s final matches. The final matches included both Hajime/Owari Reiho with 5 ZNKR Iai kata within 6 minutes duration. As the final matches started participants and Sensei watched in serene silence...
• 5-Dan Finals: On Court-A, Ittokai’s Tak Furuta Sensei (Red) faced Doshikai’s Barry Poitras Sensei (White). In an exciting and extremely close match with both competitors demonstrating high level Iai, the final Rei or “bow” was made... The "Hantei" call rang through the gym space and Furuta Sensei prevailed over Poitras Sensei in the 5-Dan Pan-American championship! (3 Flags-Furuta, 0 Flags-Poitras)

CKF NISE 2024 Taikai Recognition and Congratulations to:

• Kevin Thibedeau Sensei, 3rd place 4-Dan Division
• Hanna Ikeda-Suen Sensei, 3rd Place 5-Dan Division
• Gordon Hall Sensei, 3rd Place 5-Dan Division
• Barry Poitras Sensei, 2nd place 5-Dan Division
• Tak Furuta Sensei, 1st place 5-Dan Division
• Patrick Suen Sensei, 1st place 6-Dan Division

The GLIC and East Coast Iai Community was well represented at the CKF-NISE 2024 Taikai.

CKF NISE 2024 Shinsa (Up to 7D): Mon. 08/26
After a fabulous and jammed-pack Iai weekend of seminar and Taikai, the first Canadian Shinsa up to Nanadan (7th Dan) started Monday morning. Many challengers from across the Americas rose up to demonstrate their Iai for the judges to evaluate and decide if they were at the level of the rank. The upper rank Shinsa (examination from 6D-7D) required 6 ZNKR Iaido kata in 7 minutes duration, requiring the use of shinken and wearing standard Iaido Keiko Gi/hakama without montsuki.

Notable Highlights:
• First ever Nanadan (7-Dan) Grading in Canada.
• Two judging panels: Lower board from Kyu to 4-Dan (Court-B) ; Upper board from 5-Dan to 7-Dan (Court-A).
• Tak Furuta Sensei challenged Rokudan and passed with a strong showing of his Ittokai Iai.
• Gordon Hall Sensei, friend of Ittokai, challenged Rokudan and passed on the wave before Furuta Sensei.
• Barry Poitras Sensei, friend of Ittokai, challenged Rokudan and passed on the same wave as Furuta Sensei.

CONGRATULATIONS to Furuta Sensei for attaining Rokudan!! The Ittokai was well represented at the CKF-NISE 2024 Shinsa.

2024 3rd Annual Ottawa Iaido Taikai: Taikai Report:
This past weekend the Canadian Iaido Community had a fantastic Iaido Taikai event on Saturday, 7/13 in Nepean, Ontario.

Ottawa Iaido Taikai [OIT]: Sat-07/13
The 3rd Annual OIT this past Saturday was well represented by the Ittokai. The Taikai had competitors of all different levels and abilities demonstrating their Iai Waza and high spirit with inspirational performances!

Notable Highlights:
• Kevin Thibedeau Sensei participated as a competitor in the 4-Dan division before lunch on Court A in round-robin matches and was able to progress to the 4-Dan Finals.

• Thibedeau Sensei and Furuta Sensei were both Shimpan (Referee/Judge) for various divisions at the event.

• Furuta Sensei performed a Godan (5Dan) 5x ZNKR Iaido Kata demonstration during the Sensei Embu (5D-7D) before the Finals.

• Furuta Sensei participated and learned much from the Friday night bonus class that focused on Taikai/Shimpan process and procedures lead by Stephen Cruise Sensei and Pam Parker Sensei.

• Furuta Sensei and Thibedeau Sensei participated and learned much from the bonus Sunday class which was lead by Stephen Cruise Sensei and Pam Parker Sensei.

OIT Taikai Finals:
The 4-Dan and 5-Dan finals in the afternoon were part of a fast-paced and efficiently run Taikai. Participants and Sensei watched in hushed silence when...

• 4-Dan Finals : Kevin Thibedeau Sensei faced Francis Domingo Sensei (Tokushikai Dojo) in an intense and close match demonstrating the highest level of Iai at the Taikai! When the "Hantei" (Judgement) call echoed through the gym space, Thibedeau Sensei prevailed over Domingo Sensei in the 4D division championship! (2 Flags-Thibedeau, 1 Flag-Domingo)

The GLIC Community was well represented at this year's Ottawa Taikai!

AUSKF 2024 Iaido National Summer Camp: Seminar/Taikai/Shinsa Report:
This past week into the weekend the AUSKF Iaido Community had another fantastic 2024 Iaido Seminar/Taikai/Shinsa event from Thur-05/29 to Sun-05/02 at Salt Lake City, UT.

AUSKF 2024 Seminar: Thur-05/29 - Fri-05/31
This year the Ittokai was represented by Kevin Thibedeau Sensei and Tak Furuta Sensei at the AUSKF Iaido seminar,
held at University of Utah, George S Eccles Student Life Center. Hatakenaka Sensei (Iaido Hanshi, Hachidan) taught and gave lectures on ZNKR Iaido and Taikai Shinpan over the two days. Tak Furuta Sensei served as Translator for Hatakenaka Sensei during the seminar as Iaidoka from all over the US and Canada came to train and share in the Budo fellowship. The SLC Iaido community hosted an extremely well run event as folks came together to learn and connect.

AUSKF 2024 Taikai: Sat-06/01
The AUSKF National Taikai this past Saturday was well represented by the Ittokai this year. The Taikai had competitors of all different levels and abilities demonstrating their Iai Waza and spirit with inspirational performances!
Notable Highlights:
• Kevin Thibedeau Sensei participated as a competitor in the largest and very competitive, 4-Dan division before lunch on Court A in single elimination matches till the 4-Dan finals.
• Tak Furuta Sensei participated as a competitor in the 5-Dan division after lunch on Court A in single elimination matches till the 5-Dan finals.
• The Ittokai contingent participated in Taikai court setup Friday night under the management of Orsi Kiss Sensei (Touyuukai Dojo) and the Zenbukan Dojo Seniors, Celeste Rosell Sensei and Jordy Davis Sensei
• Thibedeau Sensei and Furuta Sensei were both Shimpan (Referee/Judge) for various divisions in the morning.
AUSKF Taikai Finals:
The 4-Dan and 5-Dan finals in the afternoon were part of a fast-paced and efficiently run Taikai. Participants and Sensei watched in serene silence when...
• 4-Dan Finals: Kevin Thibedeau Sensei faced Michael Buonadonna Sensei (Shidogakuin, Shidokan). In a high-energy match demonstrating inspiring and strong Iai. When the "Hantei" (Judgement) call echoed through the gym space, Thibedeau Sensei prevailed over Buonadonna Sensei in the 4D division championship! (2 Flags-Thibedeau, 1 Flag-Buonadonna)
• 5-Dan Finals: Tak Furuta Sensei faced Gordon Hall Sensei! (Ken-Zen) In an exciting and extremely close match as both competitors demonstrated extremely high level Iai. As the "Hantei" call echoed through the gym space, Hall Sensei prevailed over Furuta Sensei in the 5D division championship! (2 Flags-Hall, 1 Flag-Furuta)
AUSKF 2024 Taikai Recognition and Congratulations to:
• Paul Maeda San: 3rd place 3-Dan Division
• Nancy James Sensei: 3rd Place 6-Dan Division
• Orsi Kiss Sensei: 3rd place 5-Dan Division
• Tak Furuta Sensei: 2nd place 5-Dan Division
• Kevin Thibedeau Sensei: 1st place 4-Dan Division

The GLIC Community of Dojos was very well represented at this year's AUSKF National Taikai!

AUSKF 2024 Shinsa (Up to 5D): Sun-06/02
After the Taikai awards ceremony the venue was efficiently transformed from Taikai to Shinsa courts and on Sunday morning the Shinsa was held.
Shinsa Highlights:
• Tak Furuta Sensei was a Shinsa timer, runner and a back-court assistant during the event

East Coast 2024 Iaido Seminar/Taikai/Shinsa Report:
This past weekend the East Coast (EC) Iaido Community had another fantastic EC2024 Iaido Seminar/Taikai/Shinsa event from Sat-03/09 to Sun-03/10 at Weehawken Highschool, NJ.

EC2024 Seminar: Sat-03/09
This year the Ittokai had a large contingent attending the seminar, participating in the Taikai and challenging their next rank at the Shinsa. At the seminar the Ittokai practiced and learned from various Nanadan Sensei with Kato Sensei and Parker Sensei leading the 4D-6D, Sekreta Sensei leading the 1D-3D and Hankins Sensei leading the Kyu. Tak Furuta Sensei served as translator for Kato Sensei during the seminar. The event brought Iaidoka from all over, as far as California, North Dakota to Florida! The Budo fellowship and camaraderie was awesome as folks came together to learn, train, compete and re-connect.

EC2024 Taikai: Sun-03/10
The EC2024 Taikai this past Sunday was well represented by a large contingent from the Ittokai this year. The Taikai had over 70 competitors of all different levels and abilities demonstrating their Iai Waza and spirit with inspiring performances!
Notable Highlights:
• Jeff Mitchell San competed for the first time as an Iai competitor in the Mudansha-B division showing strong and correct Ittokai Iaido.
• Nicolas Brown San competed for the first time as an Iai competitor in the the 2-Dan division advancing to the semifinals consistently showing strong spirit and correct Ittokai Iaido
• Kevin Thibedeau Sensei returned to compete in the 4-Dan division showing his style and brand of Iaido for all to see.
• Tak Furuta Sensei participated as a competitor in the 5-Dan division after lunch on Court A in single elimination matches until the 5-Dan finals.
• The entire Ittokai contingent was pivotal in Taikai court setup and running of the Taikai this year.
• Tak Furuta Sensei organized and managed the backcourt of Court-A during the morning of the Taikai
• Nicolas Brown San was a backcourt TachiAi for Court-A
• Kevin Thibedeau Sensei and Tak Furuta Sensei were both Shimpan (Referee/Judge) for various divisions from Mudansha to Yondan in the morning.

EC2024 Taikai Finals:
The 5-Dan finals were the last match of a fast-paced and high-energy Taikai. Participants and Sensei watched in hushed silence as Tak Furuta Sensei faced Gordon Hall Sensei! in an exciting and extremely close match as both competitors demonstrated the highest level of Iai at the Taikai. When the "Hantei" (Judgement) call echoed through the gym space, Furuta Sensei prevailed over Hall Sensei in the 5D division championship! (3 flags-Furuta, 0 Flags-Hall)

EC2024 Taikai Recognition and Congratulations to:
• Nicolas Brown San: 3rd place 2-Dan Division
• Tak Furuta Sensei, 1st place 5-Dan Division
• Orsi Kiss Sensei: 3rd place 5-Dan Division
• Roo Heins sensei: 3rd place 5-Dan Division
The GLIC Community of Dojos was very well represented at EC2024.

EC2024 Shinsa (Up to 4D): Sun-03/10
After the Taikai awards ceremony and a very efficient transformation from Taikai to Shinsa courts the Sunday Shinsa started.
Notable Highlights:
• Ittokai's Jeff Mitchell San challenged Shodan and was able to meet the challenge and passed with a strong showing of his Iaido
• Tak Furuta Sensei was the Shinsa head clerk of the event

CONGRATULATIONS to Jeff San for attaining Shodan!! The Ittokai was well represented at the EC2024 Shinsa

AUSKF 2023 National Iaido Seminar/Taikai/Shinsa Report (T. Furuta):
This past weekend the AUSKF had a National Iaido Seminar/Taikai/Shinsa from Thurs-08/10 to Sun-08/13 at Sun Auto Sports Complex in Cypress, TX.

AUSKF 2023 Seminar: Thurs-08/10 to Fri-8/11
This was the first AUSKF National seminar in 4 years since the start of the pandemic. The event was very well organized and well run by the hosting Houston Dojo and Mark Kerstein Sensei and Shamina Kerstein who were the lead organizers. The event staff and organizers were very helpful and showed a warm hospitality that was evident and greatly appreciated.

Ittokai’s Tak Furuta Sensei braved the long journey and extreme Texas heat to attend the Iaido seminar. At the seminar he learned from and translated for Kusama Sensei (Hanshi Hachidan, Iaido; Chair of the ZNKR Iaido Committee). Hatakenaka Sensei (Hanshi Hachidan, Iaido), and Yamazaki Sensei (Hanshi Hachidan, Iaido) also provided top level instruction and demonstration as well. Having a Japanese delegation of THREE Hachidan Sensei is a historic first for the Americas. The event brought Iaidoka from North-Central-South America from as far as Hawaii, Alaska and Florida to Canada, Mexico and Chile!! The Budo fellowship and camaraderie was awesome as folks came together to learn, grow and strengthen existing connections and forge new ones!

Kusama Sensei provided instruction to the entire group with Yamazaki Sensei as the demonstrator for all 12 ZNKR Kata over the two days of seminar. The instruction covered various topics in clear, insightful ways that engaged all participants. Then each Sensei from the Japanese delegation took a group and provided instruction for the level with Kusama Sensei instructing the 5D+ group with Tak Furuta providing translation for Sensei. On Friday afternoon there was a Taikai seminar with Kusama Sensei and Hatakenaka Sensei leading the instruction and sharing new Taikai procedures that have been implemented in Japan this year.

AUSKF 2023 Taikai: Sat-08/12
The AUSKF Taikai was very exciting and well run being the first National Taikai since 2019 due to the Pandemic. The Taikai was one of THE largest ones held in the US with over 110+ competitors of all different levels and abilities demonstrating their Iai and Waza with inspiring performances!

Notable Highlights:
* Due to the large number of competitors (each Dan rank up to 6D had a separate division) and limited time, there were THREE courts setup the day prior lead by Orsi Kiss Sensei
* There was an embu (demonstration) for all non-AUSKF FIK participants as well as a Nanadan Embu by all the North American (US/CA) Sensei in attendance
* Tak Furuta Sensei was a Shimpan (Referee/Judge) for Mudansha A/B to Yondan divisions as a Fukushin (Side Judge) and Shusin (Head Judge).
* Tak Furuta Sensei participated as a competitor in the 5-Dan division on Court B in single elimination matches till the 5-Dan finals.
* The event ran so smoothly and efficiently that it finished an HOUR early (~4:30p)

AUSKF 2023 5-Dan Taikai Finals:
The 5-Dan finals was the second to last match of a high-paced and intense Taikai. Participants and Sensei watched in serene silence as Tak Furuta Sensei faced Gordon Hall Sensei! Both competitors demonstrated high level Koryu and ZNKR Iai In an exciting match under difficult conditions (extremely sticky floors). From the deafening silence the Hantei (decision) call was for Furuta Sensei over Hall Sensei in the 5D division championship! (Furuta-3, Hall-0)

Notable Congratulations to:
* Hiroyuki Paul Maeda San: 3rd place 3-Dan Division
* Takanori Furuta Sensei: 1st place 5-Dan Division
* Gordon Hall Sensei: 2rd place 5-Dan Division
* Jason Hankins Sensei: 1st Place 6-D Division
The GLIC Community of Dojos was well represented.

AUSKF Shinsa: Sun-08/13
The AUSKF Shinsa (grading) this year was a historic first for the Americas with gradings from Kyu up to 7-Dan. There were many challengers who rose up to demonstrate their Iai for the judges to evaluate and decide if they were at the level of the rank.

Notable Highlights:
* First Nanadan (7D) Grading in the Americas
* Two judging panes: Lower board from Kyu to 3-Dan ; Upper board from 4-Dan to 7-Dan
* Tak Furuta Sensei was an assistant clerk for the Shinsa
* Our friends from the Zenbukan Dojo, Celeste Rosell and Jordy Davis, attained their Yondan (4-D) ranks
* The pass rate for the upper board was low this year with a high bar to attain

East Coast 2023 Iaido Seminar/Taikai/Shinsa Report:

The East Coast (EC) Iaido Community had an Iaido Seminar/Taikai/Shinsa from Fri-03/03 to Sun-03/05 at Weehawken Highschool, NJ.

Ittokai’s Jefferson Svengsouk San and Tak Furuta Sensei attended the Iaido seminar practicing and learning from Kato Sensei (Shozo Kato Photo-Art) and Kono Sensei as well as other 7th and 6tth Dan Sensei from the AUSKF and CFK. The event brought Iaidoka from as far as California, Texas and Florida as well as from Canada and Mexico!!! The Budo fellowship and camaraderie was awesome as folks came together from all over to learn, train, compete and more importantly re-connect.



EC2023 Taikai: Sun-03/05

The EC2023 Taikai was very eventful and well run being the first North American Taikai of 2023. The Taikai had many competitors of all different levels and abilities demonstrating their Iai and Waza with inspiring performances!

Notable Highlights:

Jefferson Svengsouk San competed in the the ShoDan+NIDan (1D+2D) division showing his brand of strong and correct Iaido for all to see.
Tak Furuta Sensei was a Shimpan (Referee/Judge) for Mudansha A/B to Yondan divisions as a Fukushin (Side Judge).
Tak Furuta Sensei participated as a competitor in the 5-Dan division on Court A in single elimination matches till the 5-Dan finals.


EC2023 Taikai Finals:

The 5-Dan finals was the last match of a high-paced and intense Taikai. Participants and Sensei watched in serene silence as Tak Furuta Sensei faced Gordon Hall Sensei! It was an exciting and extremely tight match as both competitors demonstrated high level Koryu and ZNKR Iai. In a close Hantei (decision) Furuta Sensei prevailed over Hall Sensei in the 5D division championship! (2 flags-Furuta, 1 Flag-Hall)

Congratulations to:

Paul Maeda San (Hiroyuki Paul Maeda): 1st place 3-Dan Division
Tak Furuta Sensei, 1st place 5-Dan Division
Orsi Kiss Sensei: 3rd place 5-Dan Division
They represented our GLIC Community of Dojos very well at EC2023.

EC2023 Shinsa (Grading): Sun-03/05

After the Taikai awards ceremony and a very efficient transformation of Taikai to Shinsa courts the Sunday shinsa started.

Notable Highlights:

Ittokai's Jefferson Svengsouk San challenged Nidan and was able to meet the challenge and passed with a strong showing of his Iaido
Tak Furuta Sensei sat on the lower Shinsa board as a grading judge (ShinsaIn)

CONGRATULATIONS to Jefferson San for his Nidan attainment! 👍😁

The Ittokai was well represented at the EC2023 Shinsa