Canadian Iaido Association (カナダ居合道協会) (Victoria, Westshore, Quadra)

Iaido is the traditional Japanese martial art of drawing and cutting with the samurai sword. The purpose of Iaido is to develop awareness, centeredness, sincerity, a calm mind, and mental and physical harmony through the practice of traditional sword techniques. Iaido practitioners, or Iaidoka, perform predetermined techniques, or waza, to replicate a specific situation and the correct way to respond to these situations with defending or attacking techniques. It was derived from Iaijutsu, a specialization of Kenjutsu. It is the Japanese martial art that is most closely associated with the samurai class and Japanese nobility. It is not a sport, but rather a unique and ancient traditional art for the development of mind, body, and spirit. The Canadian Iaido Association (ZNIR/CIA) was established in 1992 to promote iaido in Canada, establish formal links with the All Japan Iaido Federation (ZNIR, or Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei), to hold seminars on a regular basis with high-ranking teachers of the ZNIR, and to administer examinations in Canada in accordance with the standards and methods of the ZNIR. The CIA is a non-profit organization registered with the British Columbia Provincial Government. Instructors are volunteers and receive no pay. In 2015 the CIA became officially recognized as a Shibu/Kyōkai under the Kantō Chiku Renmei of the ZNIR. To date, the CIA is the first and only foreign association officially in the ZNIR of the Zen Nippon Iaido Renmei (ZNIR). With the CIA, Canada is the first foreign Country to join the ZNIR in its entire 60 year ongoing history. The Canadian Iaido Association's headquarters are located right here in Victoria, and we have several practice locations, visit our site to see more. This is a unique opportunity to learn and engage in a very integral part of Japanese culture and history. While we are open to all, there are some physical demands on your body, especially your knees. However, feel free to contact us and visit a class to see if it works for you. Email, Phone, or Text message Chris Tooley (6dan, Renshi, ZNIR) for more information.