Cheque presentation to CAMH Foundation

John McCulloch (left) and Dean Hughes (right)

Earlier today, John McCulloch of Toronto Branch made a cheque presentation for $6,000.00 to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health ("CAMH") Foundation. The funds were raised in our 13th Annual Kaiso Day "Kickathon."

Dean Hughes, Vice President, Community Development of the CAMH Foundation commented "over the past 13 years, Shorinji Kempo Toronto Branch has raised over $72,000 to support the work of CAMH. Above and beyond its philanthropy, Shorinji Kempo has shown great strength and courage in supporting a highly stigmatized cause. We salute the efforts of all of the members of Shorinji Kempo Toronto for their dedication not only to their practice, but to their community. Thank you!"

The members of Toronto Branch salute the dedicated staff of CAMH for their tireless efforts. We would also like to thank our many generous sponsors for continuing to support our CAMH initiative.

Gassho

Ikuo returns!

Toronto Branch members were thrilled by a visit from Toronto Branch alumnus Dr. Ikuo Kageyama (5th dan). Ikuo is currently a full Professor at the prestigious Nippon Dental University in Niigata, Japan.

Before coming to Toronto, Ikuo was a member of Tokyo's famous Yamanote Doin and studied from Matsuda sensei there. In addition, Ikuo was well known by WSKO members around the world since he had acted as a translator during several international seminars at Shorinji Kempo Hombu.

Despite the long passage of time since he was a member at our Branch (over 10 years) it felt like only yesterday since he last trained with us.


Ikuo helped share his knowledge with our members and all kenshi greatly enjoyed his warm and insightful teaching style.


During his talk, Ikuo focussed on his experiences of learning from Kaiso at Hombu, stressed the importance of living according to the true goals of Shorinji Kempo and differentiated Shorinji Kempo from other "martial arts."

All members of Toronto Branch hope it is not too long before we have a chance meet Ikuo again.

Thank you for kindness and wisdom.

Gassho

Southern fist

John Dadosky (junkenshi) of the Toronto branch visited the Florida International University branch in Miami on June 8th.

The branch is home of Eric Messersmith Sensei who is a professor at FIU. He was away that weekend so I trained with Mike and Anatole. I was asked to lead the kihon for the class which included a third kyu and two newcomers.

I was impressed at the hospitality of the branch in picking me up at the downtown hotel by Mike. Anatole gave me a ride home in his convertible with the top down playing salsa music. A true Miami experience!

Gassho,

John D.

13th Annual Charity "Kickathon"

On the evening of Wednesday June 4, 2008, eight members of Shorinji Kempo Toronto Branch took part in its 13th Annual Charity "Kickathon" in aid of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health ("CAMH") Foundation.


We performed 100 continuous kata (sequences of techniques) supported by generous sponsorship from our families, friends, neighbors and colleagues. We wish to salute the many kind supporters who enabled us to raise a total of $6,000 this year.


The Kickathon event is the longest standing charitable initiative supporting the CAMH Foundation. Since its inception we have raised a total of $72,500 for this cause. The monies raised are used to support CAMH's cessation programs for drug addicts as well as research into the basic causes of addiction.

The annual event also represents Toronto Branch's "Founders Day" activity - an event that manifests the philosophy of Doshin So (the founder of Shorinji Kempo). The founding philosophy of Shorinji Kempo is to cultivate ourselves, become strong and to support those around us. By living in accord with this philosophy we hope we can become useful to our communities and improve our lives.


Charitable and community support initiatives are an important element of practice for all Shorinji Kempo members worldwide.

Gassho

30th Annual Cornell Camp

On the US Memorial Day holiday weekend, the 30th Annual Cornell Shorinji Kempo Camp (Gasshuku) was held in Camp Barton Trumansburg, NY. Sakuyama Sensei (Ibaragi Takahagi Doin, Japan) once again led the training session.

This year the attendees were also lucky enough to hava Ken Ohashi Sensei, the founder of the Cornell Camp tradition, joining the them, his camp has become an event that Kenshi across North America look forward to.



Three Kenshi from Toronto Branch attended this year, for those of us who were returning to the camp it was a great chance to catch up with and train with old friends and like the newcomers make new friends with the Kenshi we meet.



After a fun but vigorous warm up and Kihon Sakuyama Sensei introduced the principle of "Jou Kyo Ka Jitsu" through practicing taisabaki. Later in the day this was expanded to cover the use of footwork in juho instead of muscular force.



All 3 kenshi from Toronto Branch Kenshi, Stewart, Kevin and John, were amazed at the depth of knowledge and understanding Sakuyama Sensei has of Shorinji Kempo as well as his ability to transmit his understanding to Kenshi he is teaching. After being in a class taught by Sakuyama Sensei you are left with a sense that having been taught by him is a real privilege.



Gassho,

John Pitts
Toronto Branch

It's a small world after all

Toronto Branch was honored by a visit from Mr. Yasuhiro Oue of Tokyo on May 14, 2008.

Mr. Oue had previously been a member of the British Federation, just like John McCulloch (Toronto Branch Master). We had a good chance to share memories of our times there.

In addition, Mr. Oue had studied under two legendary instructors during his training in Japan - Nakano sensei (Saitama) and Akiyoshi sensei (Tokyo).

We wish to thank Mr. Oue for his kind visit.

Gassho

Godorenshu held at Toronto Branch

Kenshi from Toronto Branch, Yorkville Branch and North York Branch gathered at our dojo on the evening of April 28, 2008 for a Shorinji Kempo Ontario Godorenshu event.

Godorenshu are group training events that allow SKO members to practice with their peers from other Branches and have a chance to learn from a variety of teachers.

Following Chinkon-gyo, we had a period of kihon (basics) training which included ways to diagnose problems with body alignment and balance when making tsuki (punches).

The hokei (technique) sections of the event comprised both goho and juho. Each of the Branch Masters of the attending Branches took turns to teach each group of kenshi by rank.


The lecture was focussed on two talks given by Kaiso So Doshin in the late 1960s which emphasized the primacy of action over theory and also the need to have a vision for one's future in order to take the necessary steps in the present.

All members greatly enjoyed the chance to train with their SKO friends.

We'd like to thank members of the other Branches for attending and look forward very much to the next Godorenshu event.

Gassho

Year end and grading success

Toronto Branch members after the 2007 Closing Ceremony

Members of Toronto Branch gathered at our dojo this evening for our annual closing ceremony. We had a number of members missing due to illness or family commitments, but had an enjoyable event nevertheless.

The event consisted of 108 punches and kicks followed by Chinkon-gyo. After that each member came to the shomen area, greeted their fellows and stated their name and rank. Finally, there was an address by the Branch Master which described the achievements and major events of the past year (see this blog) and our hopes for 2008.

In addition, one of our members - Kevin Legault - was presented with his brown belt after successfully passing his 3rd kyu examination. The grading which was organized by Shorinji Kempo Ontario was held on Sunday December 16 at the North York Branch.

Kevin and his new belt!

2007 was an exciting and eventful year at Toronto Branch and we look forward to building further when we return to practice on January 7, 2008.

Gassho

Toronto Branch receives award

Toronto Branch recently received a STAR Award from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Foundation in recognition our fundraising efforts. We have raised funds for the CAMH Foundation each year since 1996 through our Annual Charity Kickathon.


Gassho

Training at Atsugi Doin

On November 15, John McCulloch of Toronto Branch had the great pleasure of being reunited with Hiate-sensei (Seihanshi, 7th dan) at his dojo - Atsugi Doin in Kanagawa-ken, Japan. Hiate-sensei is the founder of Atsugi Doin and has taught there steadfastly for the past 35 years. Hiate-sensei is also a Hombu and WSKO Instructor and has become quite well known to kenshi in Europe and North America as well as Japan.

John had the good fortune to study under Hiate-sensei at Atsugi Doin in the summer of 1985. Since that time the bond of friendship between them has grown ever deeper and our Branches are closely linked.

Here are some scenes of the visit:



Hiate-sensei and the members of Atsugi Doin - thank you very much for your hospitality and kindness.

Gassho

John McCulloch

First Annual Shorinji Kempo Ontario Taikai

Members of Toronto Branch participated in the First Annual Shorinji Kempo Taikai held at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre on October 27.

Over 40 kenshi from all the Ontario Branches were represented at the event (Toronto, North York, Huronia and Yorkville).


Toronto Branch members participated in the event in a variety of ways:

• Kumiembu demonstration by John McCulloch and Tal Schaeffer.
• Dantai embu by eight members.
• Randori demonstration by Tal Schaeffer and Yan Montgomery.
• Participation in the adult category kyu and dan grade tandoku embu sections.
  
• Participation in adult category kyu and dan grade embu sections.

Congratulations are due to the following Toronto Branch members for their successes:

• Eduardo Bello (1st dan) - 2nd place in the adult dan tandoku embu category
• Isabel Struik & Yan Montgomery (both 2nd dan) - 3rd place in the adult dan embu category.

A full report on the event is posted here on the WSKO website.

We wish to thank the members of North York Branch for their wonderful organization and hosting of the event.

Gassho

Toronto kenshi pass black belt test

Eduardo Bello (left) and John Dadosky (right)

We are pleased to report that Toronto Branch members Eduardo Bello and John Dadosky were successful in their shodan (1st dan) black belt examination held on August 27, 2007.

Congratulations!

Gassho

Godorenshu in Barrie

Members of the four Shorinji Kempo Ontario Branches gathered at the Hiryukan Aikido Dojo in Barrie on August 25 for a godorenshu focusing on embu.

The godorenshu was led by Thomas Fontaine-sensei, Branch Master of Huronia Branch.

We are grateful to Fontaine-sensei and the members of Huronia Branch for being such kind and considerate hosts.

Some pictures of the event are posted below.

Gassho

Cheque presentation

Earlier this evening Toronto Branch members presented a cheque for $5,500 to Dr. David Goldbloom, MD, FRCP, Senior Medical Advisor, Education and Public Affairs, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

The funds were raised in our 12th annual charity Kickathon event.

Gassho

2007 Kaiso Day "Kickathon"

On the evening of May 23, 2007, Shorinji Kempo Toronto Branch held its annual charity Kickathon event in aid of the CAMH Foundation. Thanks to our many generous sponsors we were able to raise $5,500 for this cause.



The funds we raise are earmarked for use in supporting programs to assist drug addicts recover from their addiction as well as basic research into the causes of drug addiction.

Shorinji Kempo was established by Kaiso So Doshin-sensei in 1947 with the goal of helping people realize their true potential and make valuable contributions to society. Drug addiction is a catastrophic condition for those that suffer from it (and their friends and family) and through this event we sincerely hope that we can help at least one person rediscover the joy and beauty of life.



We wish to thank our kind sponsors for their wonderful support and also the dedicated staff of CAMH who make miracles happen every day.



Gassho,

John McCulloch
Toronto Branch

Report on 2007 Cornell Gasshuku

On the weekend of May 26-28th, the 29th Annual Cornell Shorinji Kempo Camp (Gasshuku) was held in Camp Barton Trumansburg, NY. Sakuyama Sensei (Ibaragi Takahagi Doin, Japan) once again led the training session where Kenshi from USA, Canada and Japan participated in this yearly tradition that has become a training staple for the north-east region branches of North America.

Sakuyama Sensei teaches principles of movement

Four Kenshi from Toronto Branch attended this year; it was the first time for all of them at Cornell.

Eduardo and Elisabeth

Sakuyama Sensei, after very fun but strenuous warm up and Kihon, focused on the importance of listening to and studying our bodies when in movement. He made emphasis on how each and every Kenshi must study his/her body when executing a technique, meaning analyzing how the body moves and balance shifts, finding which muscles are actually leading the motion and most important of all, where “our” centre is located throughout the technique.

Kevin, Sakuyama Sensei, Eduardo, Elisabeth and Robert

All 4 Toronto Branch kenshi, Elisabeth, Robert, Kevin and Eduardo, found Sakuyama Sensei to be a real inspiration to continue training and practicing Shorinji Kempo as well as having enjoyed very much meeting Kenshi from all over America and Japan who indeed are great examples of how Shorinji Kempo brings the best qualities out of every individual.

Gassho,

Eduardo Bello
Toronto Branch

Spring makeover

The Toronto Branch website (www.torontoshorinji.org) has undergone an update with the addition of the official Shorinji Kempo logotype and So-en symbol.

Our blog has been spruced up too.

Gassho.

Toronto Branch 2006 Year in Review

Our annual "Year in Review" webpage has now been published.

Please have a look here.

Gassho

2006 Closing Ceremony

Toronto Branch held its annual Closing Ceremony on the evening of December 20, 2006. The event formally marks the end of the year's training and provides an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the preceding year and focus on what we need to work on in the year ahead.

We were fortunate to have members from the neighboring Yorkville Branch with us this year.

Toronto Branch members performed embu (pairform display of techniques) during this year's Closing Ceremony. The embu were as follows:

• John Dadosky (1st kyu) & Eduardo Bellow (1st kyu)
• Isabel Struik (2nd dan) & Stas Zlobinski (1st dan)
• John McCulloch (5th dan) & Tal Schaeffer (3rd dan)

End of the year messages were given by John McCulloch (Toronto Branch) and Albert Louie (Yorkville Branch).

We look forward to a successful year in 2007!

Gassho

Recent Grading Successes

Toronto kenshi Eduardo Bello and John Dadosky immediately after their 1st kyu examination

Toronto Branch members were successful in several recent gradings administered by Shorinji Kempo Ontario.

• Nov. 02: Ahlia Khan passed the junkenshi 1st dan exam.
• Nov. 26: John Dadosky and Eduardo Bello passed the 1st kyu examination.
• Nov. 26: Andre-Philippe van der Heyden passed the 2nd kyu examination.

Congratulations to all.

Gassho