Instructor Biographies

  • Ken Maneker Sensei- Renshi Rokudan
  • Cat Maneker- Godan
  • Chee Ling- Godan
  • Peter Hubert- Godan
  • Dave Rathnow- Yondan
  • Malcolm Elliott- Yondan
  • Rob Ingram- Sandan

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Ken Maneker - Renshi Rokudan (All Japan Kendo Federation- 1999)

1985-1986

Began Iaido practice in Kyoto, Japan under Omori Masao Sensei, hanshi hachidan. Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu. Joined the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei.

1990

Began practice of Zen Ken Ren Iaido with Konaka Hiroyuki Sensei {hanshi hachidan} in Kyoto

Began Shin Ken Kai dojo in Vancouver, B.C., Canada

1994

Began practice with Iwata Norikazu Sensei, hanshi hachidan in Kagawaken, Shikoku Island.  Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu.

1999

 

2000

 

2008

Sucessfully passed Rokudan grading in Tokyo, Japan under the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei.

 

Sucessfuly passed Renshi exam in Kyoto, Japan under the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei.

 

Began the practice of Hoki Ryu with Kuze Takashi Sensei, hanshi hachidan.

Joined the Dai Nihon Iaido Renmei.

  
  • Most of my practice has been one to one with each of  my four primary sensei, although much time as also been spent in classes and at seminars in various parts of Japan.
  • All of my sensei have come to Canada to teach seminars.
  • All of my gradings have been done in Japan under the Zen Nihon Kendo Renmei {All Japan Kendo Federation}.

 

Affiliations:

 

  • Shin Ken Kai- Vancouver, B.C.
  • Shin Ken Kai Affiliated Dojo
  • Dai Nihon Iaido Renmei- Kyoto

 

 

  

 

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Cat Maneker - Godan (Canadian Kendo Federation- 2000)

  • 1980 became Zen student of Robert Aiken Roshi .
  • 1981 to 1986 Student of Shito Ryu Karate.
  • Began studying Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu in 1986 in Japan under Omori Sensei, Iwata Sensei, the late Konaka Sensei, and Maneker Sensei.
  • Received Iaido Godan in 2000.

 

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Peter Hubert- Godan (Canadian Kendo Federation)

  • Traditional Archery- 54 years.
  • Competitive Shooting- 54 years; Small and large bore.
  • Classical French European Fencing- 20 years; foil, epee, and saber.
  • Iaido Godan- 15 years

 

Dave Rathnow- Yondan (Canadian Kendo Federation)

·        Chief instructor of Shin Ken Kai no Bara in Calgary, Alberta.

·        1984- began Karate training under the instruction of Thor Tandy Sensei and Roger Keeping Sensei in Victoria, B.C. First introduction to Iaido at this time. 

·        1986- moved to Vancouver.  Studied Karate until 1993.

·        1993- began studying Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu Iaido  under Ken Maneker Sensei.

·        2002- began teaching Iaido in Calgary.

·        2003- passed yondan in Iaido with the Canadian Kendo Federation.

·        I still return regularly to Vancouver to attend Iaido seminars and spend time with Maneker Sensei.

·        Currently continues to teach in Calgary and volunteer at the Nikka Yuko Japanese Gardens in Lethbridge, Alberta, where he give talks on the history of Iaido and perform demonstrations of the art.

Rob Ingram- Sandan (Canadian Kendo Federation)

 

  • Chief instructor of Kita Kaze Dojo in Whitehorse, Yukon.
  • 1973- began karate training under Masami Tsuruoka sensei in Chito Ryu.
  • 1979- began training with the Whitehorse Shorin Ryu club.
  • In 1985, he achieved shodan and became president of the Yukon Karate Association, a position he has held ever since.
  • 1986- Australia and New Zealand training with Frank Nowak sensei and Mark Willis sensei.
  • 1991- achieved sandan rank.
  • 1992- started Kita Kaze {North Wind} Dojo.
  • 1994- became member of the technical committee of the CSKA.  President of ShotoCanada until 2007.
  • Practices and teaches Kobudo; the arts traditional Karate weapon arts.
  • 2000- began the study of Iaido with Ken Maneker sensei.
  • 2007- achieved sandan in Iaido. 

 

Malcolm Elliott- Yondan (Canadian Kendo Federation)

 

  • 1985- Aikido  in a Vancouver dojo affiliated with Saotome Shihan
  • 1986- Iaido  under Asaoka Sensei and Maneker Sensei at the Sunrise Dojo, Vancouver
  • 1990- joined Maneker Sensei’s new Shin Ken Kai Dojo
  • 1992- joined Kootenay Aikido Kenkyukai in Nelson
  • 2003 and 2006- study trips to Japan
  • 2001- Yondan  rank from the Canadian Kendo Federation
  • 2006- Sandan rank from Aikido Kenkyukai International
  • Currently practicing and teaching Aikido and Iaido in Nelson, B.C.