28th Annual Cornell Camp (part one)

The 2006 Cornell group

From May 27-29, 2006, kenshi from the USA, Canada and Japan gathered at Camp Barton, Trumansburg, NY for the 28th Annual Cornell Shorinji Kempo Camp (Gasshuku). Since its foundation by Ken Ohashi-sensei in 1978, the Cornell Gasshuku has become a mainstay for kenshi in the north-east region of North America.

The Gasshuku was led by Sakuyama-sensei (Ibaragi Takahagi Doin, Japan) and Atsumi-sensei (Yokohama Negishi Doin). Both instructors were formerly staff members at Hombu and studied directly under our Founder - Kaiso So Doshin-sensei.


Sakuyama-sensei: "true freedom through Shorinji Kempo"


Atsumi-sensei: "katsujin ken - the fist that gives life"


Sakuyama-sensei instructing fine points of goho

28th Annual Cornell Camp (part two)

Tricky balancing act

Atsumi-sensei

Sakuyama-sensei vs. Ninja

Varieties of uchi uke zuki and soto uke zuki

 

28th Annual Cornell Camp (part three)

Shorinji Kempo Ontario members from Toronto Branch, North York Branch and Eglinton Branch took part in the Gasshuku (pictured here with Miyata-sensei, Atsumi-sensei and Sakuyama-sensei).


1. Try to aim here...

2. OUCH!

The delegates from Toronto Branch wish to express their deep gratitude to Allen Liff-sensei, Gary Dolce-sensei and Neal Ziring-kenshi for their hard work and dedication in making this wonderful event happen.

Your contribution to Shorinji Kempo in this region is huge!

Gassho

11th Annual "Kickathon"

On the evening of May 17, 2006, members of Shorinji Kempo Toronto Branch gathered at the main gym of the Addiction Research Foundation site of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to hold their annual charity Kickathon.

Shorinji Kempo Branches worldwide hold charity or community service events each year in the month of May as a memorial to our founder Kaiso So Doshin (1911-1980). One of Kaiso's famous maxims was "try to live your life half for self and half for others" and it is in that spirit that we host the Kickathon.

The funds raised by Kickathon will be donated to the CAMH Foundation to assist its world class work in the field of drug addiction research and treatment.



This year we were able to raise a total of $8,000. We are grateful to our many sponsors for their generosity.

Since 1996, Shorinji Kempo Toronto Branch has raised $61,500 for this cause.



Gassho 

Farewell to Slava!

After almost four years of training at Toronto Branch, Slava Burdenyuk kenshi is returning home to his native Ukraine.

Slava joined Toronto Branch in 2002 having originally been a member of Odessa Branch in the Ukraine. With constant effort and study, Slava rose to the rank of Shokenshi 2nd dan and was appointed an Assistant (jokyo) of the Branch. Many kenshi will remember the care and patience shown by Slava as he helped them establish their form.



Slava was also very active in attending seminars and gasshuku, including the Cornell Gasshuku and WSKO seminars in Calgary, Ann Arbor, Sweden and Japan.

We wish Slava every future success and hope to see him again before too long.




Gassho

Godorenshu Held at North York Branch

Kenshi from all the Shorinji Kempo Ontario Branches gathered at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre on Sunday April 30 for a Godorenshu hosted by North York Branch.

After a warm-up and group kihon (basics) training, the kenshi worked on goho techniques and randori ("sparring") while wearing bogu (body armor). This type of equipment allows full force counters to the body and shows clearly any deficiencies in distance, timing or accuracy.

Following the goho training, the kenshi split into groups to focus on technique practice according to rank.

Kyu gradings for adults and children were also held. Eduardo Bello of Toronto Branch was successful in his grading for 2nd kyu.

Many thanks to North York Branch for hosting this event.

Gassho

Steve Williams-sensei visits Toronto Branch

Steve Williams-sensei and Michelle Williams kenshi from the British Shorinji Kempo Federation (BSKF) visited our Branch today. Williams-sensei is the Branch Master of Harrow Branch, north of London. He was formerly the Vice-Chairman of the BSKF and is the moderator of the widely read Shorinji Kempo forum on e-budo.com.



John McCulloch, the Branch Master of Toronto Branch, and Williams-sensei have been friends for many years and had taken their 2nd dan test together. Hence, it was a great pleasure to welcome Williams-sensei and Michelle to our dojo.



Williams-sensei gave the lecture for the class. He observed how on uniform Shorinji Kempo training is worldwide, that we all share the same spirit and goals and how it feels like being with family when visiting another dojo regardless of where it is. Williams-sensei also gave us some advice based on his experiences of training within a federation.

We look forward to seeing Williams-sensei and Michelle again soon.

Gassho

Toronto Godorenshu Feb. 13, 2006

Kenshi from Toronto Branch, Eglinton Branch and North York Branch gathered at the Toronto Branch on the evening of February 13, 2006 for a Godorenshu (group training session).

The main focus of the Godorenshu was studying the technique of Kazumi Ishikawa-sensei (Daikenshi, 5th dan) - the teacher of Tohoku Gakuin University in Miyagi-ken, Japan. Ishikawa-sensei has studied Shorinji Kempo since 1972 and he studied under Kaiso So Doshin and Ohta-sensei (Daihanshi, 9th dan).

In kihon, Ishikawa-sensei emphasized how to make emphasis body motion and footwork. In hokei (techniques), the main focus was okuri gote and kiri gote.

Ontario region Branch Masters had an opportunity to study 5th dan curriculum techniques and also focussed on teaching according to various ranks.

We are all grateful for the kindness of Ishikawa-sensei for his teachings and we look forward to more Godorenshu in future. 

Closing Ceremony 2005

On the evening of December 21, 2005 members of Toronto Branch and Eglinton Branch gathered at Toronto Branch for its annual closing ceremony.

The event consisted of group kihon, a dantai embu demonstration by Eglinton Branch, a variety of demonstations of kumiembu by Toronto Branch, chinkon-gyo and a speech reviewing the achievements of 2005 and looking ahead to 2006.

In addition, some Toronto kenshi received certificates for the successful completion of recent exams: Andre and Eduardo (3rd kyu), John (2nd kyu) and Stas (1st dan).

 

Closing Ceremony 2005

Kihon
Dec. 21, 2005

 

Closing Ceremony 2005

Zazen
Dec. 21, 2005

 

Closing Ceremony 2005

Embu by John and Kazumi
Dec. 21, 2005

Closing Ceremony 2005

Embu by Isabel and Jenny
Dec. 21, 2005

"2005 Year in Review" for Toronto Branch is now online (click image to view).

Training at Atsugi Doin

On the evening of October 17, 2005, Toronto Branch members John McCulloch and Slava Burdenyuk visited Atsugi Doin. We have had a long friendship with Atsugi Doin extending back to 1985 and Hiate-sensei has been a strong supporter of our Branch. Indeed, he has visited Toronto Branch three times in recent years.

During our visit to Kanagawa, we were taken care of by Hiate-sensei, his family and students.

We wish to thank from the bottom of our hearts Hiate-sensei, the Hiate family, Hayashi-sensei, Kobayashi-sensei, the members of Atsugi Doin, Tokai University Branch and Tamagawa Juniors Branch for their kindness and support. 

Party time! 

The last two Branches to receive Special Commendations are Toronto Branch and Atsugi Doin. 

Sharing events in Toronto with the members of Atsugi Doin. 

Slava during training. 

Inside the dojo at Atsugi Doin.