Traditional Japanese martial arts in La Ronge
Old traditions.
A living practice.
A small, not-for-profit dōjō for thoughtful, non-competitive training, with direct teaching connections to Japan.
Primarily adult training · By appointment
In La Ronge, with live online Meifu Shinkage Ryū.
Our connection to Japan
Sasagawa dōjō · Chiba, Japan
01 / Training at a glance道場
A clear place to begin.
We learn through kata — structured forms practised alone or with a partner. Training emphasises careful technique, understanding, and your own progress.
Where & when
La Ronge, Saskatchewan. Training is arranged by appointment; contact Chris before visiting.
Who can begin
Primarily adults. Beginners are welcome to enquire; youth sword-training options are discussed individually.
Online training
Live Meifu Shinkage Ryū instruction is available. Ask about space, equipment, and current options.
Fees & equipment
Current fees and available times are confirmed before registration. Ask before buying equipment.
02 / What we teach流派
Different paths.
A shared commitment to practice.
Three main areas of study, supported by unarmed training in Nihon Jūjutsu and Karatejutsu.
明府真影流
Meifu Shinkage Ryū
Shurikenjutsu & small weapons
A modern Japanese school preserving the study of small, handheld weapons: bō-shuriken, fundō-kusari, and shōken. Further study includes hanbō and sword-related practice.
正木流
Masaki Ryū
Kusarijutsu & restraining arts
A classical tradition associated with Edo-period law enforcement. Study includes manrikigusari, kusarigama, jutte, and torinawa, together with the restraining methods that accompany them.
居合・剣術
Iai & Kenjutsu
The Japanese sword
Sword practice through Bushin Kai combines Toyama Ryū Mukaida-ha with Shinkage Ryū Iai and kenjutsu. Bushin Ryū’s sword curriculum draws on the Kashima line of Shinkage Ryū Heihō and Seigo Ryū Battō-jutsu, also known as Shinkage Ryū Iai-jutsu.
The foundations
More ways
to begin.
Adults can discuss combining armed and unarmed practice into a broader program.
柔術
Nihon Jūjutsu
Leverage, locks, throws, and the use of momentum. A foundation in unarmed movement for adult students.
空手術
Karatejutsu
Essential striking methods and forms, taught for understanding and personal development. For adults.
Chris de Feijter
Head instructor
03 / Instructor & teaching lines師範
Meet Chris
de Feijter.
Personal instruction, supported by continued study.
Chris de Feijter is Hekisuikan’s head instructor, a board member of the Nihon-den Kobudō Bushin Kai, and chief of the Meifu Shinkage Ryū Canada Branch.
His teaching is grounded in regular study with his teachers in Japan. The qualifications and teaching connections below guide the practice offered here.
Meifu Shinkage Ryū
Shihan · 4th dan
Teaching certification from Ōtsuka Sōke
Bushin Kai schools
Bushin Ryū Bu-jutsu Heihō · 2nd dan
Toyama Ryū Mukaida-ha · 2nd dan
Shintō Musō Ryū
Mikawa Yoneno-ha
1st dan
Masaki Ryū
Shoden licence (初伝)
Licensed instructor under Nakajima Sōke
日本伝古武道 武心会
Bushin Kai
Hekisuikan is an official Canadian branch of Nihon-den Kobudō Bushin Kai, founded by Mukaida Takeshi and led by Marco Pilato, Bushin Taketoshi, Chairman and Sō-Shihan. Chris serves on its board and studies privately with Pilato Sō-Shihan.
明府真影流
Meifu Shinkage Ryū
The official MSR Canada Branch, under Ōtsuka Yasuyuki Sōke. Chris began the Saskatchewan group in 2014, holds teaching certification from Ōtsuka Sōke, and has offered online instruction since 2018.
正木流
Masaki Ryū
A classical tradition tracing its roots to Masaki Toshimitsu and the Ōgaki domain. Its modern teaching line passed from Nawa Yumio Sōke to Nakajima Michio Sōke, under whom Chris holds a Shoden teaching licence.
The Bushin Kai school lineages
Bushin Ryū Bu-jutsu Heihō
Founded by Mukaida Takeshi Sōke to pass on the martial traditions he had studied. Its sword curriculum draws on the Kashima line of Shinkage Ryū Heihō and Seigo Ryū Battō-jutsu (Shinkage Ryū Iai-jutsu), transmitted through Kashima Kiyotaka, Akita Moriji, and Mukaida Takeshi.
Other roots include Shintō Tenshin Ryū and Asayama Ichiden Ryū in the unarmed traditions, and Hōten Ryū in the weapons curriculum.
Bushin Ryū overview · Sword lineage · Founder’s training history
Shintō Musō Ryū — Mikawa Yoneno-ha
Bushin Kai identifies its Shintō Musō Ryū transmission as Mikawa Yoneno-ha, passed on by Mukaida Takeshi. His teachers included Hamaji Kōichi and Yoneno Kōtarō.
This is the branch designation used here; Chris’s personal qualification is listed separately above as 1st dan.
Toyama Ryū — Mukaida-ha
Bushin Kai preserves Toyama Ryū Mukaida-ha. Mukaida Takeshi studied under Minowa Hitoshi; Bushin Kai’s lineage account also names Morinaga Kiyōshi, Yamaguchi Yūki, and Nakamura Taizaburō.
Chris’s qualification in this school is 2nd dan.
04 / Joining the dōjō入門
You can begin
with a question.
Training is arranged by appointment. The first step is a conversation, so you can understand the practice and decide whether it is right for you.
Tell us what interests you.
Use the enquiry form or email Chris. Tell us which school interests you and whether you prefer La Ronge or live online MSR instruction. It is fine to be unsure.
Arrange an introduction.
Discuss your questions, the training, and available times. We will talk through what to expect at your first appointment and what you will need.
Choose your next step.
Confirm the appropriate program, current fees, and equipment before registering. Choose a practice you can return to consistently.
“The way Chris has everything set up makes online lessons actually advantageous.”
Josh Hobbs
Meifu Shinkage Ryū student
Do I need previous experience?
No previous martial arts experience is needed to enquire. We begin with a conversation about your interests, experience, and any considerations that may affect training, then discuss a suitable starting point.
Can I train online?
Live online training is available through the Meifu Shinkage Ryū Canada Branch. Ask about current private and group options, space, and equipment requirements. Online availability for other programs should be discussed directly with the instructor.
Explore MSR online training
What should I bring or buy?
Please ask before buying a uniform or training equipment. Requirements depend on the school and your stage of practice. Beginners in sword training start with a bokutō; iaitō and sharp swords require the instructor’s permission.
What are the fees and training times?
Current fees and available training times are confirmed directly before registration. Practice is arranged by appointment, so please enquire before visiting.
Your first stepはじめの一歩
A little curiosity.
A place to begin.
Ask about a school, current fees, available times, or where to begin. Choose an interest below, or select “Not sure yet.” Chris will reply by email.
La Ronge, Saskatchewan
Training by appointment · Online options for MSR
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