Josh MacDonald

I am the head instructor of Calgary Rakushinkan, where I teach Aikidō alongside classical Japanese martial arts, including Daitō-ryū aiki-jūjutsu, kenjutsu, and iaijutsu. My work focuses on the relationship between modern budō and older koryū traditions, with particular attention to how these systems are connected through shared principles—especially the integration of sword and empty-hand practice. I have trained for over three decades, both in Canada and in Japan, with extensive experience across multiple forms of traditional sword arts. This includes the study of kenjutsu and iaijutsu within several lineages, which informs my approach to Aikidō as a system deeply rooted in weapon-based movement and structure. My teaching reflects this perspective, emphasizing that empty-hand techniq...