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lazn
17th September 2012, 09:04
I am interested in identifying Aikijujutsu (Daito-ryu) based schools in Canada. I have put together a short list that are currently identified as teaching Daito-ryu:

http://www.daitoryu.ca
http://www.daitoryu.ca/html/directory.html
http://daitoryukidokan.com
http://www.daito-ryu.ca
http://hakuhoryu.whiteoakdojo.com

I would like to ferret out legitimate teachers.

Thanks

Nathan Lazaridis

someguy
17th September 2012, 12:30
The White Oaks Dojo actually isn't in Canada it's in the US, Milan Michigan to be exact. I have and continue to train with Dan Sharp Sensei at that Dojo couple times a month for the last few years. The system taught is Hakuho Ryu Aikibudo which is a branch system of Daito ryu that follows the waza sets pretty much exactly. They are very open and nice people.

James

JNavarro
17th September 2012, 18:33
There used to be Hakuho Ryu dojo in Montreal and Toronto, but to the best of my knowledge they are not currently active.

Nathan Scott
17th September 2012, 22:28
Here is a breakdown of what I can gather from the webpages posted:

http://www.daitoryu.ca
http://www.daitoryu.ca/html/directory.html

These are the webpages for the "Dai Nippon Daito ryu Aikibujutsu Rengokai". They say they are headed by Yoshinori Ichikawa, who says he was a student of Tsunemitsu Ichikawa. The short answer is they claim to be a "Saigo-ha" branch of Daito-ryu. Basically, I debunked them in the following thread:

www.e-budo.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1028

They apparently claim to teach Kashima shinto-ryu and Ono-ha itto-ryu as well. No idea what kind of authority they have in these arts.

* *

http://daitoryukidokan.com
This is the "Kidokai", founded by Simon Limoges (Soke). He was a student of the Rengokai above. See same thread.

* *

http://www.daito-ryu.ca
This is what appears to be a branch or study group of the Daito-ryu Shinbukan, under Kondo Sensei (Menkyo Kaiden). If this dojo is in good standing with the Shinbukan, then it would be considered the only legit Daito-ryu out of the links posted.

* *

http://hakuhoryu.whiteoakdojo.com
This is "Hakuho-ryu Aikibudo", which is derived mostly from Tokimune's Daito-ryu Aikibudo (if I understand correctly). While it is not "Daito-ryu" specifically, it is derived from legit Daito-ryu, and could be a good choice of training for you.

HTH,

Kendoguy9
17th September 2012, 23:10
Nathan the group in Canada http://www.daito-ryu.ca/ is a legit group under Kondo sensei. Toma Radev is a very skilled student of Kondo sensei's. I was present when he tested for nidan in 2009. He also acted as a translator for us in 2004 when we went to Japan. Toma is good people. I would recommend his group to anyone in the area.

lazn
18th September 2012, 03:28
Thanks for the input. I recall corresponding last year with Joseph Wilson, Hakuhô Ryu, Toronto (aikijujutsu@gmail.com). At the time, Mr. Wilson stated he was of no official status, but was contemplating a study group in and around the Greater Toronto Area. I received a few follow up emails, but no further responses to my inquiries as of yet, despite the official website listing him as part of a recognized Canadian dojo. There was also a Professor out of UBC teaching on behalf of the Daibukan (I don't recall his name) and he informed me that he was no longer practicing. Therefore, only the study group out of Ottawa seems legitimately affiliated. The Daito-ryu group out of Thorold, Ontario, I recall it was a bit different, and originally their Facebook page showed a younger fellow in a variety of social settings. The website has since classified themselves as a Koryu. I appreciate everyone's contributions.

Nathan

JNavarro
18th September 2012, 03:51
Joe Wilson is a good guy and excellent martial artist. If there's ever an opportunity to train with him, I recommend you do so.

lazn
19th September 2012, 18:34
I have confirmed the study group proposed by Mr. Wilson was never established (or at least not with the people originally contacted). Dan Sharp stated he has not heard from Mr. Wilson in some time. Based on his original emails, it seems there was no interest in establishing a dojo, rather than exploring Aikijujutsu concepts in a concentrated manner. The lack of follow up may imply the study group is a bust. At the time, Mr. Wilson did recommend checking out www.daitoryu.ca.

TSUJIGIRI
26th October 2014, 22:48
Hello Mr scott , Im wondering if there are any legit daito ryu dojos or masters in the Greater Vancouver Area ( including Vancouver) . I live in Richmond British Columbia.

Thanks in advance

TSUJIGIRI
26th October 2014, 22:51
Hello Mr Lazaridis , Im wondering if you did find any legit daito ryu institutions ? Im in Richmond BC and I am also looking for worthy daito ryu instruction. Please let me know ; it would be of great interest and help to me

Thanks in advance

Gohei
19th November 2014, 06:51
I live in Vancouver and am a daito ryu teacher. When you speak of legitimate lines of Daito ryu I assume you are speaking of branches coming off of Sokaku Takeda's line. In most histories we hear only his name and his students but please remember Daito ryu has even a recent history involving 100s of people who 'survived' the abolition of the samurai class but passed the Aizu arts into the 20th-21st centuries.
The martial arts world in this generation demands these group's papers to prove authenticity but the reality is many legitimate groups of Aizu descent, who have survived until today, don't see themselves as needing to prove anything to anybody. In all seriousness who are we to ask of them to prove their identity to us? What authority do we posses that gives us legitimacy to judge anyone? Most people demanding these groups prove legitimacy do so with a covert narcissism that they are somehow entitled to know anything they want to know no matter who objects.
I myself come from one such group. If you want to know if a group is legitimate come and learn. An art, and it's legitimacy, will prove itself. In time, it's history will be revealed.

lazn
24th February 2015, 15:43
Hello Sacha, I apologize for the very long delay in responding to your post. Nathan Scott had originally posted the following:

http://www.daitoryu.ca
http://www.daitoryu.ca/html/directory.html

These are the webpages for the "Dai Nippon Daito ryu Aikibujutsu Rengokai". They say they are headed by Yoshinori Ichikawa, who says he was a student of Tsunemitsu Ichikawa. The short answer is they claim to be a "Saigo-ha" branch of Daito-ryu. Basically, I debunked them in the following thread:

www.e-budo.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1028

They apparently claim to teach Kashima shinto-ryu and Ono-ha itto-ryu as well. No idea what kind of authority they have in these arts.


Mr. Crichton appears to be a sincere practitioner, but I don't know of him. He seems to have moved from Ontario to British Columbia (http://www.daitoryu.ca/html/health.html). I don't know of any Daitoryu schools or teachers in British Columbia, but Mr. Crichton has indicated he is available.

If you are interested in closely related arts to Daitoryu, there are the following:

http://aikidoburnaby.com - Rob Mustard is a 7th Dan, Shihan of Yonshinkan Aikido. Its as close to Daitoryu as you will get in the Aikido world (pre-war Aikido). Rob is also very dedicated to his art and his students. He spent a decade at Yoshinkan HQ after completing his Senshusei course (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senshusei_course). I spent a great afternoon in his kitchen drinking tea and shooting the sh$#. Unfortunately, not much training time with Rob, but he runs a good dojo.

http://www.sadohana.com - Michael Seamark has been teaching Kokodo Jujutsu (Hakkoryu Jujutsu) for some time in the Vancouver area. He was formerly a member of Hakkoryu through Mr. Lamonica, and then after the split from Hombu (Hakko Denshin Ryu - http://www.hakkojujutsu.com). Mr. Seamark then relocated from Ontario to British Columbia and formed an alliance with Irie Yasuhiro Sensei (http://www.kokodo.org). I know the history, but I don't know Mr. Seamark well, other than a meet and greet and a few emails. He seems to have a core group, and a strong following.

I am a little biased, as I am a student and teacher of Hakkoryu Jujutsu (http://hakkoryu.com). It is a very fine tradition, and if you are looking for a small personalized group to train with, feel free to PM, and I can provide a contact near Vancouver. His name is Jon, and he is an excellent martial artist. In addition to studying and teaching Hakkoryu Jujutsu, he is the only Canadian student of Tenshin Shodan Katori Shinto Ryu under Phil Relnick Sensei (http://tenshinsho-den-katori-shinto-ryu.org) (there is of course another group teaching KSR in Vancouver (http://www.sugawarabudo-vancouver.com).

http://www.hapkido-vancouver.com - Mr. Tulloch is very committed to his art, and the dojo is very old school. They train hard.

http://www.shorinjikempobc.ca - Very traditional, the Tozenji dojo (Coquitlam) is in the very modern basement of a Buddhist temple. They even offer Tea Ceremony if you are into that kind of thing. No tatami, just a hardwood floor ... enjoy ukeme! (surprisingly, not that bad)

Overall, the lower mainland of BC is bursting with excellent schools and teachers in various systems. I have indicated a few different options that all have relation to Daitoryu, but the only advice I may confidently provide is: Find a good teacher. It has to be a good fit.

Good luck!

lazn
24th February 2015, 16:51
A good article on 'legtimacy': http://www.koryu.com/library/kfriday1.html

As Brian Workman used to say: "We are but guests".
http://brianwworkman.com