Welcome to the Calgary Iaido Club

Instructor

Our instructor is Chris Gilham.
Chris began his martial arts training while completing his degrees at the University of Windsor (HBA Philosophy, BA Psychology, BA Education). Chris moved to Japan to teach English after three years of training in Goju-ryu Karate under Conroy Copeland sensei. In Japan Chris trained for a short time in Karate, Kyudo, and Kendo. It has been Iaido however and its deeply centering practice through kata training that Chris has been practicing for 12 years now. During his four years in Japan Chris graded to the rank of 3rd dan. Chris graded for his 4th dan in Guelph, Ontario in May 2005.

Chris' Iaido training was based out of the Koganei Iaido Club, in Koganei city, Tokyo. Chris' sensei is Yamamoto, Shotaro, 7th dan, Kyoshi, of the All Japan Kendo Federation. Yamamoto sensei studied with Mitsuzuka sensei.

In 2000 Chris left Tokyo and backpacked throughout Japan. While traveling he trained in many different Iaido dojo. After leaving Japan he then travelled to Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii visiting Iaido dojo in those countries as well.
Chris returned to Canada in late 2000. He has worked for the Greater Essex County District School Board and the Calgary Board of Education as a General Elementary school teacher and Special Education teacher. Chris continues to work with the Calgary Board of Education as a Behaviour Strategist and is working on his Master's degree in Education through the University of Calgary.