Nanoka returns

Nanoka and Isabel study juho

 

We were delighted to see our former member Nanoka during her flying visit to Toronto.

Nanoka is a student based in Tokyo who had practised with us last winter and spring.

It was great to see her again!

Gassho

Closing Ceremony 2023

Every year we hold a Closing Ceremony on the final day of practice.

During this event we reflect on the achievements of the prior year, hold a longer Chinkon-Gyo including the recitation of Raihashi and Dokun, and have the members demonstrate their skills.

Here are some photos from our 2023 Closing Ceremony event.

Gassho 

Special Dan Grading

Tony with Kawashima sensei

 

We are delighted to announce that Tony Tan, Assistant Instructor at Toronto Branch, passed his examination for Seikenshi 4th Dan at Shorinji Kempo Hombu in Tadotsu, Japan on 13 October 2023.

Well done Tony!

The grading was held during the 2023 WSKO Official Seminar. Tony had the opportunity to receive three days of training with the top Hombu instructors and spend time with friends from all over the world. 

With Inoue sensei - star of "Kuro Obi World"

Gassho

Nanoka - my experience at Toronto Branch

We recently hosted Nanoka - a 2nd dan kenshi from Toyo University in Tokyo, Japan. Nanoka fearlessly threw herself into the training at our branch with great enthusiasm! We greatly enjoyed having her train at our dojo for the past months and wish her every success back in Japan.

Here is what Nanoka had to say... 

 

 "It was a great opportunity for me to join dojo in Toronto. Practicing Shorinji Kempo abroad was one my dreams since high school. 

Since I wanted to challenge myself with my experience and language skill, I joined the practice. Fortunately, Toronto Branch was very nice place to do it. Everyone was very kind and welcome to practice with me. I enjoyed practicing many techniques with them. I got very surprised that many kenshi in here already have high grade and long experience. Also, the things they pay attention to when we learn something was interesting. 

 

 

They always motivated me and make me realize my potential. Language and how we grew up are very different but l thought sharing common place and interest like this was amazing. 

I would like to continue Shorinji Kempo even after graduate or abroad for my mental and physical health. I appreciate all members here. Hope we can see and practice again!"

Gassho

 

22nd Annual Charity Kickathon for CAMH meets $10K goal!

On the sweltering evening of May 17th (why does the first really hot day of the year always coincide with our event?) the members of Shorinji Kempo's Toronto Branch gathered at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Russell Street site to hold the 22nd annual installment of our main charity activity - the Kickathon.

First some meditation

Every year we are getting older, and our kicks are not quite as high as they used to be, but we are still filled with a strong sense of pride and purpose every time we hold this event.

Then some stretching

The goal of the Annual Charity Shorinji Kempo Kickathon is to raise funds for the CAMH Foundation that will be used to alleviate the suffering caused by drug addiction in Ontario.

Lining up

Our evening began with a period of meditation then a warm-up and stretching.  Following that we lined up and launched into 500 consecutive full force kicks with kiai (yell).  Given the humid conditions the gym was rather airless, but once we launched into the kicking time just seemed to fly by.

Off we go!

Before long we reached our 500th kick and the joy of accomplishing our goal eclipsed any fatigue or soreness that we felt.  Also, we knew that it'll be 12 months before we do this again!

Halfway through

We would like to thank our truly amazing sponsors, many of whom who have generously supported our event for many years.  We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Lidia and her team at the CAMH Foundation for ensuring that the logistics of our event went so smoothly.

We can now announce that our event raised a total of $10,025 - we met our $10K fundraising goal thanks to our sponsors' generous support!

Since the Shorinji Kempo Toronto Branch Kickathon initiative began in 1996 it has raised a total of $149,280 for the CAMH Foundation.

"All done for another year" selfie!

Gassho

Message

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2015

We wish you health, happiness and success in the year ahead.

Gassho

The members of Shorinji Kempo Toronto Branch, Canada.

Hiroko Fujita - my experience at Toronto Branch

It was a great experience practicing Shorinji Kempo at Toronto Branch. I was happy to join there as my first Dojo outside of Japan from September 2011 until March 2012.

I was a bit nervous before joining since I didn't know what to expect, however McCulloch sensei and every Toronto Branch member welcomed me warmly. I realized that in Shorinji Kempo it is possible to bridge between countries. Everybody at Toronto Branch practices seriously and has fun.

Training at Toronto Branch had the same feeling as I was used to in Japan and my experience there gave me great friendship with the members. 

I highly recommend for Torontonians and Japanese Kenshi to join practice at Toronto Branch.

Many thanks and best regards,

Gassho,

Hiroko Fujita
Shokenshi, 2nd dan
Ehime, Japan