October 25, 2010

Uebayashi-san visits Toronto Branch

Ms. Uebayashi (front row, second from left)

Ms. Hidemi Uebayashi of the WSKO Secretariat of Shorinji Kempo Hombu came to visit our branch on October 25th.

Uebayashi-san had completed her first marathon race the previous day in Niagara Falls and came to Toronto for a few days of sightseeing and rest.

Uebayashi-san has provided invaluable help to Toronto Branch since she began working at Hombu in the mid-1990s so we were absolutely delighted to have her come to our branch.

All of the members of Toronto Branch wish to thank Uebayashi-san from the bottom of our hearts for her constant kindness and help.

Gassho

October 04, 2010

Hiate sensei - Atsugi Doin

Hiate sensei - howa

Continuing my recent visit to Japan, I had the wonderful experience of visiting my teacher Hiate sensei (Seihanshi, 7th dan, WSKO & Hombu Instructor) at Atsugi Doin in Nurumizu.

I first met Hiate sensei at Tokai University in June 1985 and he has been my teacher ever since. In addition to his warm and friendly spirit, his technique is simply amazing.

Technical demonstration to the children's group

The class, which included the children's section, started with kihon, goho applications (uchi age zuki, uchi age geri, jun zuki randori), chinkon-gyo, howa and juho applications (uwa uke nage, oshi uke nage).



Hiate sensei's technical demonstrations were dramatic, effective and powerful. In the case of nage waza, Hiate sensei would completely capture the attacker's balance early in each technique making the final throw both effortless and spectacular!

Nage!

One unexpected surprise was the appearance of Kobayashi sensei (Seihanshi, 7th dan) - another of the Atsugi area Doin-cho. Kobayashi sensei is well known for his internal approach to technique and it was fascinating to experience his interpretations of several common techniques.

Kobayashi sensei

Hiate sensei and his family hosted me during the final part of my stay in Japan. The enormous hospitality they extended was very much appreciated, especially since they all have busy schedules. A few examples: banquet dinner at one of Kanagawa's top fish restaurants, touring temples in Kamakura and ferrying me and all my stuff to Narita.

Thanking Hiate sensei and the Atsugi kenshi (thanks to Yoshioka kenshi for translation)

Sensei - iro iro domo arigato gozaimashita!

Gassho

October 03, 2010

Atsugi Minami Doin

With the members of Atsugi Minami Doin

On October 2nd I was privileged to visit Atsugi Minami Doin in Kanagawa-ken, Japan. The Doin-cho is Morohoshi sensei (Seihanshi, 7th dan) - one of the teachers I first met in Japan in 1985. Indeed, at that time I had very little ability in Japanese language (not much has changed!) and Morohoshi sensei's skill in English was a real lifeline.

The training at Atsugi Minami Doin consisted mainly of deconstructing familiar techniques to find the essential principles. It was then possible to use each technique effectively without effort despite the attacker's force.

At the end of the class we had some fun looking at some seemingly amazing martial arts techniques and found that they can be reproduced verbatim by simply altering the force of the striking technique (in other words, these techniques are simply tricks).

Morohoshi sensei also holds dan rank in batto jutsu

Morohoshi sensei and his family were kind enough to host me in their home. They graciously took me on a day out to Tokyo which included a chance encounter with several famous sumo stars in Ryogoku.

Meeting West Maegashira #2 Tochinoshin in Ryogoku

The bonds of friendship that Shorinji Kempo creates are truly marvelous!

Morohoshi sensei - thank you very, very much!

Gassho