Visit from Hong Kong

We were delighted to welcome Jonathan Lai (2nd dan) from the WSKO Hong Kong Branch to our practice on Saturday.

Jonathan was visiting Toronto on family business and used the opportunity to join our practice.

Jonathan also travels to Japan several times a year to practice under a Hombu Instructor in Kagawa.

 We look forward to seeing Jonathan again!

Kesshu 

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

Happy New Year!

We wish you a Happy New Year! 

Here are some pictures from our 2022 Closing Ceremony (final practice of the year).  

Gassho

Chinkon-Gyo: WSKO Official Online Seminar

Toronto Branch had the distinct honour of conducting Chinkon-gyo at the January 22, 2022 WSKO Official Online Seminar.

In common with previous WSKO online seminars, this event was attended by members from WSKO branches all over the world.

Arai Shoji sensei led the kihon section and initial hokei instruction.

Kawashima sensei followed with an in-depth review of technical questions sent in by members.

We would like to thank WSKO Hombu for making this event (and other online seminars) possible during the current pandemic restrictions.

Gassho

What's happening at Toronto Branch?

 

Greetings!

It's been a long time since we shared a post, so it's a good idea to provide an update on what's happening at Toronto Branch.

The practice space we have used at CAMH since 1995 was closed to the public when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Toronto. CAMH has not re-opened the space to community users so far. Furthermore, there is no clear guidance as to when (or if) this will occur.

Meanwhile, we have been continuing to regularly host online classes for Toronto Branch members. We have also been attending the online training sessions provided by Shorinji Kempo Hombu and online events hosted by other WSKO branches.

Given the uncertainty regarding our CAMH practice location, we have been looking at a range of alternative practice spaces and hope to restart live practice soon. Please stay tuned for details.

Finally, Toronto Branch members will be playing a bigger role in the management of the Canadian Shorinji Kempo Federation during the current officer term. 

We wish you all happiness, peace and good health!

Gassho  

 

Visit from Brazil

On October 30 we had the pleasure of welcoming Daniel Estima Bandeira (2nd dan) from the Porto Allegre North Branch of Brazil to our dojo.

Daniel was on vacation in Ontario and Quebec and wanted to visit our practice.

We greatly enjoyed our time together and hope we can get a chance to train in Brazil in future!

Gassho

US Federation Super Visit!

On August 14 we were extremely fortunate to have a visit from seven members of the Orange County, Los Angeles and Yuma Branches of the US Federation.

The delegation was organized by Rastogi sensei of Orange County Branch - a long time friend of ours.

Our joint practice was superb - we really enjoyed being able to pair up with the expert kenshi from California and Arizona.

Rastogi sensei gave us a heart-warming lecture on what Shorinji Kempo means to him and his motivation for teaching.

Finally, the delegates gave us a bunch of great swag!

It really doesn't get any better than this!

Gassho

Karate master visits Shorinji Kempo HQ

Grading success!

Toronto Branch member Daryl Ola passed his examination for Junkenshi 1st Dan on July 23, 2018.

Well done Daryl!

Gassho

WSKO North America Session & Taikai in Banff, AB

Photo courtesy of Rick Hand

From July 1-3, 2016 kenshi from branches all across North America traveled to Banff, Alberta to attend the WSKO North American Study Session and Taikai.  These events were provided by the Canadian Shorinji Kempo Federation and expertly hosted by the members of Alberta Branch who set a new high standard for other hosts to follow.

Kawashima-sensei (photo: Rick Hand)

The Study Session was held at the beautiful Fenlands Recreation Centre, nestled among the majestic Rocky Mountains.  The WSKO Instructors who taught the event were Kazuhiro Kawashima-sensei (WSKO Secretary General) and Shoji Arai-sensei (WSKO Deputy Secretary General).

Arai-sensei (photo: Rick Hand)

The session began with Arai-sensei providing a concise and clear outline of Shorinji Kempo basics and etiquette.  His teaching style was easy to follow and his demonstrations were of textbook quality (perhaps because he was a student of "the living textbook" Tsunehiro Arai-sensei). However, once the basic principles were established, Arai-sensei quickly moved on to more challenging applications including jumping sokuto geri combinations!

Demonstration by Kawashima-sensei

Kawashima-sensei picked up the teaching role later on and emphasized the correct form for tan'en hokei as well as the sotai applications. During his sessions, Kawashima-sensei showed dramatic effectiveness of his application of goho and juho techniques.

Christian

Tal & Brian

In addition to the Hombu staff, the US-based WSKO Instructors (Hirayama-sensei, Harada-sensei and Hagata-sensei) gave exciting lessons to the kyu kenshi in attendance.

Toronto Branch members with the Hombu teachers (photo: Rick Hand)

During each day of the Study Session, Kawashima-sensei provided lectures on topics drawn from his experience and our philosophy. In addition, time was spent reviewing plans for the World Taikai in California next year.

Lecture time

On the Saturday, Alberta Branch provided a wonderful social event at the Toque Bar in Banff.  A fun aspect of the event was the presentation of the famous Alberta white hats to the WSKO Instructors! All delegates greatly enjoyed the chance to mingle and relax with fellows from all across our continent.

The white hats!

The final day of the activities was the 5th North American Shorinji Kempo Taikai held at the Banff High School.  The event began in an impressive way with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police ("Mounties") escorting in the national flag of Canada prior to singing the national anthem.

As for the Taikai itself, the sections were

• tandoku embu (single form)
• kumi embu (pair form)
• dantai embu (group)
• unyo'ho (sparring)

Christian Castillo from Toronto Branch participated in the Dan Grade Men's Tandoku Embu section and Men's Lightweight Dan Grade Unyo'ho achieving a high place in both events. Chrtistian greatly enjoyed his participation and will be using the experience gained to prepare the World Taikai next year.

All of us from Toronto Branch had a wonderful time in Banff and wish to express our sincere gratitude to Noda-sensei, the kenshi of Alberta Branch and all their supporters for their painstaking efforts in organizing these events and for all the kindness and support they extended to all delegates.

Gassho

McKaiso (photo: Rick Hand)

UNITY Seminar Florida

Back on the road again.  This time three members of Toronto Branch attended the Shorinji Kempo UNITY Seminar in sunny Coral Springs, Florida from July 11-12 (inclusive).

Most US and Canadian Branches were in attendance. For Canada, there were members present from Alberta, BC Tozenji, Yorkville, North York and Toronto branches which permitted a rare chance to discuss Canadian Federation matters face to face.

The teacher for the seminar was Kazuhiro Kawashima sensei (Seihanshi, 7th dan) from Hombu.  As expected, he taught in a very dynamic and energetic way including expert instruction in goho, juho and randori.

The second day covered practical instruction from Kawashima sensei in judging and refereeing for gradings and taikai.  All of us had the chance to take part as both examinee and referee.

Since this was a UNITY seminar, the content included Hokai lectures.  The Hokai ranking system covers Kongo Zen philosophy and can confer a "philosophy" rank to members who elect to study the special content.

The event was incredibly well organized and managed. From an attendee's point of view everything went smoothly and efficiently (which means that there must have been frantic activity behind the scenes!).

We wish to express our sincere gratitude to Tondo sensei, VanAnh kenshi and the rest of team at South Florida Branch for their huge efforts on our behalf.

Gassho

Shorinji Kempo Documentary by Empty Mind Films

The first Shorinji Kempo documentary in English since the BBC Way of the Warrior documentary in 1981.

Hombu Spring Training Camp 2015

I was fortunate to go to Hombu for spring training.  My experience at Hombu was amazing and there are no words to describe it.  It was fun and I had a great time.  In addition, I got a chance to train with kenshi from other countries such as Russia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Australia, Holland and the U.S.A.  One of the best experiences I had was to make new friends and learn a few words from different languages.  Also, I had a chance to explore the scenic places of Japan including Senso-ji temple and landmarks such as Tokyo Tower. 

 
The spring training at Hombu was great.  Hombu staff were very helpful and friendly.  The food was delicious and the weather was good.  Kawashima sensei, a Hombu Instructor, started the training in the morning.  He's a great teacher and his techniques were amazing.  He emphasized the importance of body movement (Tai sabaki) to apply techniques.  He said that every kenshi must be aware of a correct stances and proper body movements for each technique.  The shifting of weight and the movement of your body must flow together in order to execute each effectively.  He said that kenshi must practice all the time with partners to develop themselves.

Before lunch there was a lecture about Kaiso's philosophy, life and how Shorinji Kempo was established.  This was one of my favorite classes at Hombu.  At some point the topics were very touching and inspiring.  I would say it deepened my understanding of how Kaiso was trying to relay his philosophies to the world. Hence,  Shorinji Kempo was created to build confidence in oneself so that people can can develop, understand and help each other.  Shorinji Kempo does not convey who wins or loses, who is strong or weak, but focuses on how you can contribute to the welfare of society and build a peaceful community.

Also, I had the privilege to have Arai sensei as the main Juho instructor during the spring training.  He demonstrated his Juho techniques without any effort or power.  His techniques were flawless and superb.  He said to apply Juho, you have to remember 3 things; one is "kuzushi" (break balance), second "otoshi" (pin down/hold) and "hazushi" (release).  Arai sensei emphasized that with these three methods combined with the right timing and the proper body movement (Tai sabaki) you will be able to take down a bigger or even stronger opponent with less effort or power.  Arai sensei left a good advice that as a kenshi I have to find out what works best for my body in order for Juho techniques to work effectively.

Lastly, samu (cleaning).  All of us were assigned a task to clean the Dojo after training session. It was fun to do and is part of our training where everybody has to contribute. 

Overall I had a wonderful experience and am planning to come back for another spring training at Hombu next year, hopefully with a big delegation from Canada.

In closing remarks, I would like to thank McCulloch sensei, head teacher of Toronto branch, for making this trip to Hombu possible and I would like to extend my thanks to all the Hombu staff and my new international friends for their help and support during my training.

Gassho

Christian Castillo, 1st Dan
Toronto Branch

2013 International Study Session (Hombu, Japan)

** Disclaimer: This post contains photos that display the manji ( 卍 ) - a symbol widely used in Japan to express Buddhist ideals. Due to misinterpretation of the manji in the West it is no longer used in Shorinji Kempo. **


Finishing up in Osaka our next stop was Tadotsu, Kagawa for the Shorinji Kempo International Study Session (Aug 27-29 inclusive) at Hombu.

We arrived in Marugame around noon on Aug 26 and those of us who were not participating in gradings had the opportunity to visit the major historical sites of Shorinji Kempo in Tadotsu.

Reception room

Kongo Zen shrine

Some examples included Kaiso's original dojo, Hombu Doin and Kaiso's home. It was thrilling to experience first hand the places where Kaiso and the "founding fathers" of Shorinji Kempo built this wonderful art.

 

Hombu Doin

Olsson sensei (Sweden) and Williams sensei (UK) try some moves in Kaiso's original dojo

In the evening we ended up (not surprisingly) at the famous Ikkaku Restaurant in Marugame for the best chicken dinner on Earth!

Waiting for the Ikkaku magic!

US Federation members mid-feast!

Training in the Study Session itself was tremendous despite the high temperatures and humidity that were affecting most of Japan at that time.

Onogi sensei (ouch!)

Yamasaki sensei - ryu nage

The 3rd Dan and Higher group was mostly taught by Kawashima sensei (Hombu) and Onogi sensei (Saitama). We were also fortunate to get extra one-on-one help from Yamasaki sensei (Hombu) and Yajima sensei (Saitama) throughout the sessions and a special lesson on Day 3 from Aosaka sensei (France).

Kawashima sensei explains...

With Peter Monk sensei (New Zealand) - a pioneer of WSKO

Much of the training focused on ensuring basic items were clearly established and then used this foundation for improving our skills as examiners and judges.

With Johan Frendin (Sweden) who successfully passed his 5th dan exam despite a battle with major illness. Get well soon Johan - you are GREAT!

One special feature of the Study Session was an optional Hokei Seminar on the teachings of Kongo Zen by Urata sensei.

Getting ready to party!

On the evening of Day 2 we had a good ol' fashioned Hombu party!  Branches and Federations performed skits on the main stage as we talked with our many international friends, old and new.

"And if you buy one now we'll give you this second one absolutely free!" Helping (?) Uebayashi-san at the concession stand.

More photos of the activities at Hombu can be found here (see "Fourth Day" onward).  

Thank you to all the Hombu staff for all their hard work (and patience!) in hosting this fabulous event.
 
Gassho