Name: Dustin Bjorkquist

Seminar Experience:
I have attended seminars in Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Montreal.

Rank:
Kendo
Shodan – 2003

Naginata
Nidan – 2008
Shodan – 2007

Chief Instructors:
Kendo
Bozzer sensei
Okusa sensei (SFU dojo in Vancouver)

Naginata
Webb sensei
Tanaka sensei (Northern California Naginata Federation)

My Experience:
I started practicing kendo as an alternative to going to the gym when my workout partner became a father. I thought it looked exciting and a good way to get in shape while making new friends. A memorable first moment was practicing in Orange Hall (a room with a seating capacity of 30 people) and learning how to practice in armour for the first time (ask me for the photos!). Other personal memories are of scoring an awesome point against senpai Gerald, practicing in Okusa sensei’s dojo on a very cool morning and getting owned by an 8 year old girl who is now a member of Team Canada, and being a part fof the beginning of the club.

In 2003 I decided to focus on practicing nagainata full time as I felt that naginata was a natural fit for my body and mind. I trained under Deryck Webb and had the priviledge of attending several seminars run by Tanaka sensei. In 2006 Webb sensei appointed me his senpai and while Webb sensei has been away for the past two years I have been the naginata sensei. My goals are to continue to teach my students while learning from them and to promote naginata and the Edmonton Kendo and Naginata Club in a traditional yet fun way.