Martial and family journey in the Gaspésie 2021 versions 2.0

Year 1 La Fenice – consumed by my individual practice of over 20 years, I am reborn from my ashes.
More than a year and a half ago I met Shihan-dai Jean-Noël Blanchette to begin a journey in iaido under his supervision. So, I came out of my hibernation to actively practice iaido again. An internship in Gaspésie under the watchful eye of Shihan-dai Blanchette allowed me to open my mind to the different branches of iaido and provide me with correctives to move forward. This journey ended with the recognition of my nidan (2^And dan) and Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu.

Upon my return I started my advanced karateka and the growing interest of many stimulated me to start a weekly course dedicated to iaido, so the adventure led me to a new aspect of spreading awareness. To formalize everything, I created an initial curriculum to guide students towards the Shodan degree and created certificates for yudansh’a and mudansha. Additionally, I registered as a member of the Dai Nippon Butoku kai for Japanese recognition.

Flight year 2 – now the east wind pushes me towards a higher peak
Already 1 year separates me from my 1^AND I travel to Gaspésie and for the second year I have traveled the 900 km that separate me from my mentor Iaido who generously welcomed not only me, but also my okusan (spouse) and my little ninja. With the aim of consolidating my practice of the Eishin series kata, I demonstrated my know-how, quickly reviewed everything and made corrections via kihon. Finally, we reviewed the omori, eishin, iwaza, and tachiwaza series. This journey concluded with him obtaining the rank of sandan and shidoin (instructor).

On the other hand, my iaito broke accidentally and I had the idea of ​​taking it to Gaspésie to show it to Shihan-dai Blanchette who saw the opportunity to do like when the samurai broke their katana, to transform it into wakisashi. Taking charge of it, he had the great pleasure of reconverting it while preserving all the qualities of the iaito that my sensei had warmly offered me in the 1990s.

Now I am motivated to move forward by creating a resume to obtain dan and taking steps to connect to the iaido lineage with which it all began (the succession of Myura Sensei) or to another branch of the Muso Jikiden Eishin Ryu.

A lesson in hospitality
I don’t know if everyone is entitled to the same hospitality, but when I was welcomed to California by Hanshi Michel Laurin and this time again by Shihan-dai Jean-Noël Blanchette, I was welcomed warmly, with all simplicity and I felt like a member of the family. This time I was with my partner and my son. My partner loved our hosts and was amazed by Jean-Noël’s culture, exchanges and travel. And what about his partner, this pearl, Brigide, is at the same time silk and a ray of sunshine.

What I remember is that we were welcomed in an exceptional way and left with beautiful memories. When we in turn are guests, we will at least try to be as generous as we have been. Thank you so much for everything Shihan-dai Blanchette and Sensei Paris.

With all my heart, Larry, Claudie and Naoki Foisy