Cornell Camp 2005

Atsumi-Sensei (left), Slava Burdenyuk (right)

This year's Cornell camp was led by Atsumi-Sensei along with the assistance of one of his students from Japan. Also Hagata-Sensei and Miyata-Sensei were assisting in teaching. About 50 kenshi from East and West coast of the US and Canada and from Japan took part in the camp. The emphasis of the training was on various implementations of the shape of Manji in different goho and juho techniques. The overall spirit of the camp was great even though the weather was not always cooperating.

Slava Burdenyuk
Shokenshi, 2nd dan
Toronto Branch

2005 Toronto Branch Charity "Kickathon" Raises Record Amount

Members of Toronto Branch performed 300 sponsored kicks on the evening of May 18 as their 2005 Kaiso Day charity activity. The event was particularly successful - we managed to raise $9,000 (a new record amount).

The funds will be donated to the Centre for Addcition and Mental Health Foundation to support treatment programs and research geared to help drug addicts escape from their addiction.

We are proud to be able to assist the CAMH Foundation in their essential work.

Kickathon in progress.

Great relief!

Synapse website launch

The official English language website for ordering ShorinjiKempo dogi, obi and hoi is now up and running.

Atsugi Doin (Japan) Honours Links with Toronto Branch

Atsugi Doin (Kanagawa, Japan) has built a stone wall monument that mentions their supporters and friends. John McCulloch (Toronto Branch Master) was among those named.

Toronto Branch is extremely happy to have such close ties with Hiate-sensei and the members of Atsugi Doin. Our connection was forged in 1985 when John was an exchange student at the nearby Tokai University. Numerous exchange visits to Atsugi and Toronto have taken place since then.

We wish Atsugi Doin every future success!

Haru Matsuri 2005 Demonstration

On Saturday March 5, 2005, members from all the ShorinjiKempo Ontario Branches gathered at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre (JCCC) - the home of Leaside Branch - for the 2005 Haru Matsuri (Spring Festival) demonstration.

This year marked the first time that ShorinjiKempo was demonstrated to the public in this festival. Other budo also showed their skills to the public, including karate-do, kendo, aikido, iaido and judo.

The ShorinjiKempo demonstration consisted of showing elements of a regular class (meditation, warm-up, basics, pairform exercises, breakfalls) followed by group embu, women's self-defense, hokei (techniques) and kumi embu (pairform technical sequences).

The event served as a good occasion for ShorinjiKempo members to train together and for informing the public about the nature of our art.

Photos from the event are shown below.

Women's self-defense (Toronto Branch)

Hokei (Eglinton & Toronto Branch)

Embu (Leaside & Toronto Branch)

Embu (Toronto & Eglinton Branch)

Second Ontario Godorenshu

Kenshi from Ontario Branches* gathered at Toronto Branch for the second Ontario Godorenshu. A kyu examination was also held at this time.

* Representatives came from Eglinton, Leaside and Toronto Branches.

Training during godorenshu.

Mayfair Branch (London, UK)

Reunion with Mizuno-sensei (8th dan) at Mayfair Branch. It was wonderful to return to my former dojo!

Training at Mayfair Branch (London, UK)

Public Demonstation at JCCC

We will be participating in a public demonstration of ShorinjiKempo at the JCCC Spring Festival at 3:30pm on Saturday March 5, 2005. Click on the image above for more details.

Yudansha renshu. We're getting ready for the JCCC Spring Festival.

Donation to Red Cross

Louie-sensei (Eglinton Branch) presented a cheque for $735 to the Canadian Red Cross. The funds were raised by the Jan. 15 event.

ShorinjiKempo Ontario members raised over $2,000 for tsunami relief in January. The funds were provided to the Red Cross, Oxfam and Unicef.

Tsunami Relief

Immediately following the Kagami Biraki, kenshi took part in a pot luck dinner and silent auction to raise funds for the Red Cross Tsunami Relief appeal.

Kagami Biraki 2005

On January 15, 2005, the Branches of ShorinjiKempo Ontario gathered at the JCCC for the 2005 Kagami Biraki hosted by Leaside Branch.

Thank you to Oka-sensei for organizing the event.