Asian Heritage Month Event "Explore Budo (Martial Arts Lecture and Demonstration)"
2025/5/31
On May 31, 2025, the Embassy of Japan in collaboration with Takahashi Dojo hosted "Explore Budo (Martial Arts Lecture and Demonstration)" at the Embassy’s auditorium. The event was held as part of Asian Heritage Month and was an opportunity to promote understanding of Japanese culture in Canada and deepen understanding and interest in spirituality through martial arts.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Canada, Kanji Yamanouchi delivered remarks in which he stated that martial arts are not simply sports, but a symbol of Japanese culture, which places great importance on the spirit of courtesy, self-control and respect. He also stated that this spirituality resonates with Canadian society, which respects diversity.
Mr. Sanjay Mohanta, a representative of Ottawa Asian Heritage Month Society, Ms. Miki Matheson, a board member of the International Paralympic Committee, and Mr. Matt Miwa, President of the Ottawa Japanese Canadian Association (OJCA), each gave a speech about the significance of the event.
The first half of the event began by showcasing the appeal of martial arts with a karate demonstration by Saeki Dojo, followed by various demonstrations including judo by Takahashi Dojo, karate by Shitoryu Karate Ottawa, kyudo by the Ottawa Kyudo Association, kendo by Tateyama Dojo, and iaido by Takahashi Dojo. Each dojo put in a lot of effort to explain the spirit and philosophy behind their respective martial arts in addition to the practical demonstrations, providing an opportunity for visitors to not only appreciate the beauty of the techniques, but also to deepen their understanding of the values behind them.
In the second half of the event, visitors were free to visit any booth of the martial art that interested them and had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of each martial art through asking questions and practical experience.
This event was attended by people of all ages, from children to adults, and had the participation of Paralympic judo athlete Mr. Tony Walby and Mr. Ed Chart, who practices iaido using only his strong right leg. It was an opportunity for anyone to experience the universal value of martial arts, that is, that anyone can improve themselves through martial arts and learn to respect others, making it a fitting way to conclude the final day of Asian Heritage Month.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Canada, Kanji Yamanouchi delivered remarks in which he stated that martial arts are not simply sports, but a symbol of Japanese culture, which places great importance on the spirit of courtesy, self-control and respect. He also stated that this spirituality resonates with Canadian society, which respects diversity.
Mr. Sanjay Mohanta, a representative of Ottawa Asian Heritage Month Society, Ms. Miki Matheson, a board member of the International Paralympic Committee, and Mr. Matt Miwa, President of the Ottawa Japanese Canadian Association (OJCA), each gave a speech about the significance of the event.
The first half of the event began by showcasing the appeal of martial arts with a karate demonstration by Saeki Dojo, followed by various demonstrations including judo by Takahashi Dojo, karate by Shitoryu Karate Ottawa, kyudo by the Ottawa Kyudo Association, kendo by Tateyama Dojo, and iaido by Takahashi Dojo. Each dojo put in a lot of effort to explain the spirit and philosophy behind their respective martial arts in addition to the practical demonstrations, providing an opportunity for visitors to not only appreciate the beauty of the techniques, but also to deepen their understanding of the values behind them.
In the second half of the event, visitors were free to visit any booth of the martial art that interested them and had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of each martial art through asking questions and practical experience.
This event was attended by people of all ages, from children to adults, and had the participation of Paralympic judo athlete Mr. Tony Walby and Mr. Ed Chart, who practices iaido using only his strong right leg. It was an opportunity for anyone to experience the universal value of martial arts, that is, that anyone can improve themselves through martial arts and learn to respect others, making it a fitting way to conclude the final day of Asian Heritage Month.
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| Ambassador Yamanouchi delivering remarks |
A board member of the International Paralympic Committee, Ms. Matheson |
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| Mr. Mohanta, Representative of Ottawa Asian Heritage Month Society, delivering remarks |
Mr. Miwa, President of Ottawa Japanese Community Association delivering remarks |
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| Karate demonstration by Saeki Dojo |
Judo demonstration by Takahashi Dojo |
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| Karate demonstration by Shitoryu Karate Ottawa |
Kyudo demonstration by the Ottawa Kyudo Association |
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| Kendo demonstration by Tateyama Dojo |
Iaido demonstration by Takahashi Dojo |
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| Participants had opportunities to try out the martial arts during the event | |