10/04/2026
It was a privilege to welcome Taro Ariga Sensei back to Etobicoke Kendo Club for a special keiko.
Ariga Sensei has a long and distinguished history in kendo. When he first moved to Canada from Brazil, he practised here at Etobicoke Kendo Club before moving to the Waterloo region, where he founded the University of Waterloo Kendo Club.
He has dedicated a lifetime to kendo as a competitor, coach, teacher and leader. He represented Team Canada at seven World Kendo Championships, winning team bronze 4 times, and has contributed extensively to the development of kendo programs in Canada, the United States and internationally.
Most recently, Ariga Sensei achieved the rank of Hachidan (8th Dan) — an extraordinary accomplishment with a pass rate that is typically around 1%.
Our members were fortunate to spend the day learning from his experience and observing the details of his kendo, from posture and presence to technique.
Thank you, Ariga Sensei, for returning to where your Canadian kendo journey began and for sharing your knowledge with our club. We hope to welcome you back again soon! 👏🥋
