Our 17th Annual "Kickathon" was a success!

6000 combined kicks later...

It was another hot and airless night in the main gym of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) as we each performed 500 kicks with a hearty kiai. Wishful thoughts of oxygen masks were combined with a feeling of accomplishment as we struggled on.

The reason for this physical anguish was our 17th Annual Charity "Kickathon" in aid of drug addiction treatment programs offered by CAMH.  Thanks to our many generous sponsors we were able to raise $7,520 this year for this important cause.

Indeed, this year the event hit a major milestone - we have now raised over $100,000 since the event began (the actual running total is $101,970).

Shorinji Kempo was founded in Tadotsu, Japan by Kaiso Doshin So in 1947 and has since then spread across the world.  Kaiso intended Shorinji Kempo to be more than just a martial art - he hoped that its members would play a positive role in society.  Every year in the month of May, Shorinji Kempo members all over the world engage in charitable and community events as a concrete reminder of Kaiso's goals.

Shorinji Kempo Toronto Branch has chosen to assist CAMH in its efforts to combat drug addiction as its annual "Kaiso Day" activity. Drug addiction is one of the most powerful and devastating maladies of our our modern age. It not only leads to the destruction of the addict's life but has numerous community impacts too.

It is clear that many centralized approaches have had limited effectiveness in dealing with this issue (see the US "War on Drugs" for example).  However, providing help to those who wish to quit is a high payoff investment with an impressive success rate.  It is this type of approach that our event supports.
  
We would like to thank our many family members, friends, business donors and colleagues for their generous ongoing support of our charity event.

All done!

We also wish to recognize the great efforts of CAMH in helping Canadians overcome the challenges of addiction and mental illness.

The CAMH event  donation page will be online for a few more days, so please donate!

Gassho

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

Grading success

Tony (left) and Stew (right)

Toronto Branch members have been successful in recent dan gradings.

Tony passed his 2nd dan examination on March 4, 2012 and Stew passed his Junkenshi 1st dan examination on February 22, 2012.

Congratulations!

We'd like to thank Louie-sensei and Fontaine-sensei for conducting the examinations.

Gassho

Season's Greetings from Toronto Branch

Year End Ceremony 2011

Grading success!

Toronto Branch members have been successful in recent gradings.

Lyndsay passed her 6th kyu examination on September 11, 2011 and brothers Luther and Christian passed their 3rd kyu examination on October 17, 2011.

Congratulations!

We'd like to thank Louie-sensei and Fontaine-sensei for conducting the examinations.

Gassho

33rd Annual Cornell Camp

Toronto Branch members with Sakuyama-sensei

In a weekend framed by thunderstorms of truly epic proportions, five members of Toronto Branch travelled to Trumansburg, NY to take part in the 33rd annual Cornell Camp - one of the longest continually running Shorinji Kempo events in the world.

The Camp was led this year by Sakuyama-sensei of Ibaragi Takahagi Branch in Japan. The presence of Sakuyama-sensei at the event was incredible since he hails from a region of Japan devastated by the effects of the great eastern earthquake.

Sakuyama-sensei has the rare ability to simultaneously and effectively teach a wide range of skill levels (e.g. beginner to 5th dan) in such a way that all benefit equally. Indeed, the Camp began with close attention to footwork and body movement before moving on to applications.

In addition to the masterful teachings of Sakuyama-sensei, we once again enjoyed the communal spirit of the Camp - one where all members can practice the teachings of Shorinji Kempo and express them in all their activities.

Beautiful Camp Barton - the site of Cornell Camp

We wish to thank Sakuyama-sensei and the organizers of the camp for providing such a great experience.

Gassho

16th Annual Charity "Kickathon" for CAMH Foundation

These legs are gonna do some kickin'!

2011 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Doshin So - the founder of Shorinji Kempo. Our founder always viewed his art primarily as a way of developing people to equip them to effectively contribute to society. All Shorinjji Kempo branches around the world engage in charitable work or social programs in the month of May in memory of the life of Doshin So.

Since 1996 the members of Shorinji Kempo Toronto Branch have held events in support of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).

Limbering up - with feeling!

This year we held our 16th Annual Charity Kickathon on behalf of the CAMH Foundation at the CAMH Russell Street site in the university area of Toronto.

The Kickathon in full swing!

All members completed 500 kicks in return for generous sponsorship from many donors.
The final total raised this year was $6,450.

We would like to thank our wonderful friends, families, co-workers and employers for their incredible generosity in supporting this event.


The funds raised in our Kickathon will be used by CAMH to support:

1. Research into the roots causes of drug addiction
2. Treatment programs to help addicts wean themselves off drugs.

We sincerely hope that this initiative will help addicts rebuild their lives and know once again the joy of living.

We would also like to thank the staff of the CAMH Foundation for their hard work in managing the donations this year.

Thumbs up for CAMH!

Gassho

Grading success!

Patrick & Stew - the new 1st kyu


Patrick Lindsey and Stewart Stevenson of Toronto Branch successfully passed their examination for the rank of 1st Kyu on February 20, 2011.

The examination was held at Yorkville Branch and their examiner was Louie-sensei (Yorkville Branch Master). We wish to thank Louie-sensei for graciously hosting this exam and conducting the test.

Congratulations Patrick and Stew!

Gassho

Season's Greetings

My experience at Toronto Branch - Sayaka Fujita

Toronto branch which I have been indebted belonged by many high grade holders whom I could ask for advice, and also the fellows who have lower grade have great motivation and attitude to be better and they helped me a lot to be better together.

I have felt that the environment existence is because of the Toronto branch master McCulloch sensei's character. He often told me that I could ask him for help whatever I need, and the members of the branch were the same to such a stranger who is from abroad (me).

I learned a lot from them, to help each other, the importance for continuing something, how to express oneself (which I'm not good at) and so on.

And I could take part in a seminar and taikai (competition), and also take a grading test for black belt. These have been very wonderful experiences for me and I wouldn't be able to get through those without their support.

The purpose of my restarting Shorinji Kempo had been just to get a black belt. However, it's been changed through my experiences in Toronto branch to continue Shorinji Kempo as long as possible and to help somebody new who want to learn with us just like Toronto branch people did to me.

I'm going back to Japan soon but I'd like to visit them again as a better kenshi someday.

Thank all Toronto branch members very very much. I will never forget you all!

Gassho,

Sayaka Fujita
Junkenshi, 1st dan

Grading success!

Congratulations to Sayaka and Kevin who passed the exam for Junkenshi 1st dan at Toronto Branch this evening!

Many thanks to Louie-sensei for conducting the examination.

Gassho

Uebayashi-san visits Toronto Branch

Ms. Uebayashi (front row, second from left)

Ms. Hidemi Uebayashi of the WSKO Secretariat of Shorinji Kempo Hombu came to visit our branch on October 25th.

Uebayashi-san had completed her first marathon race the previous day in Niagara Falls and came to Toronto for a few days of sightseeing and rest.

Uebayashi-san has provided invaluable help to Toronto Branch since she began working at Hombu in the mid-1990s so we were absolutely delighted to have her come to our branch.

All of the members of Toronto Branch wish to thank Uebayashi-san from the bottom of our hearts for her constant kindness and help.

Gassho

Hiate sensei - Atsugi Doin

Hiate sensei - howa

Continuing my recent visit to Japan, I had the wonderful experience of visiting my teacher Hiate sensei (Seihanshi, 7th dan, WSKO & Hombu Instructor) at Atsugi Doin in Nurumizu.

I first met Hiate sensei at Tokai University in June 1985 and he has been my teacher ever since. In addition to his warm and friendly spirit, his technique is simply amazing.

Technical demonstration to the children's group

The class, which included the children's section, started with kihon, goho applications (uchi age zuki, uchi age geri, jun zuki randori), chinkon-gyo, howa and juho applications (uwa uke nage, oshi uke nage).



Hiate sensei's technical demonstrations were dramatic, effective and powerful. In the case of nage waza, Hiate sensei would completely capture the attacker's balance early in each technique making the final throw both effortless and spectacular!

Nage!

One unexpected surprise was the appearance of Kobayashi sensei (Seihanshi, 7th dan) - another of the Atsugi area Doin-cho. Kobayashi sensei is well known for his internal approach to technique and it was fascinating to experience his interpretations of several common techniques.

Kobayashi sensei

Hiate sensei and his family hosted me during the final part of my stay in Japan. The enormous hospitality they extended was very much appreciated, especially since they all have busy schedules. A few examples: banquet dinner at one of Kanagawa's top fish restaurants, touring temples in Kamakura and ferrying me and all my stuff to Narita.

Thanking Hiate sensei and the Atsugi kenshi (thanks to Yoshioka kenshi for translation)

Sensei - iro iro domo arigato gozaimashita!

Gassho

Atsugi Minami Doin

With the members of Atsugi Minami Doin

On October 2nd I was privileged to visit Atsugi Minami Doin in Kanagawa-ken, Japan. The Doin-cho is Morohoshi sensei (Seihanshi, 7th dan) - one of the teachers I first met in Japan in 1985. Indeed, at that time I had very little ability in Japanese language (not much has changed!) and Morohoshi sensei's skill in English was a real lifeline.

The training at Atsugi Minami Doin consisted mainly of deconstructing familiar techniques to find the essential principles. It was then possible to use each technique effectively without effort despite the attacker's force.

At the end of the class we had some fun looking at some seemingly amazing martial arts techniques and found that they can be reproduced verbatim by simply altering the force of the striking technique (in other words, these techniques are simply tricks).

Morohoshi sensei also holds dan rank in batto jutsu

Morohoshi sensei and his family were kind enough to host me in their home. They graciously took me on a day out to Tokyo which included a chance encounter with several famous sumo stars in Ryogoku.

Meeting West Maegashira #2 Tochinoshin in Ryogoku

The bonds of friendship that Shorinji Kempo creates are truly marvelous!

Morohoshi sensei - thank you very, very much!

Gassho

Suzuki-sensei, Kurihama Doin

Yokohama, Japan
Sep. 30th.

Suzuki-sensei (Seihanshi 7th dan) and Saito-san of Kumihama Doin (Yokosuka, Japan) graciously took me along to the Yokohama Ikkaku for dinner. Ikkaku is without a doubt the most beloved restaurant of Shorinji Kempo members and is famous for two types of chicken - soft type and "chewy" type.

I've known Suzuki-sensei since the early 1990s when I practiced in London, U.K. It was great to see him again and listen to his views on Shorinji Kempo. A student of the legendary Misaki-sensei, his enthusiasm for the art is incredible!

I am deeply indebted to Suzuki-sensei, Mika-san (English arrangements!) and Saito-san and sincerely hope I'll have the chance to train at your Doin next time!

Many thanks!

Gassho

Grading success

Tal Schaeffer, the Assistant Branch Master of Toronto Branch, successfully passed his Special Dan Grading for the rank of Seikenshi 4th dan on September 3rd at the WSKO 2010 North American Regional Instructors Study Session in New York City.

Well done Tal!

Gassho

New York, New York!

Road trip!

Nine of us headed down to New York City over the Labor Day weekend to attend the WSKO North America Instructors Study Session and 2nd North American Shorinji Kempo Taikai.



Around 100 kenshi from WSKO Branches across the USA and Canada were in attendance.

The Study Session was led by Sato sensei (Fukuoka), Kuida sensei (Gumma), Sakashita sensei (Hombu) and Kuramoto sensei (Hombu). Each day the instructors rotated around the different rank groups, teaching us expertly. Kuida sensei also gave a lecture based on his memories of Kaiso and why Shorinji Kempo became an enduring path for him.

On the Saturday evening we had a dinner party at the Ginger House Restaurant (delicious Chinese-themed food). We especially enjoyed chatting with kenshi from other Branches and winning all the raffle prizes!

The Taikai was on the Sunday. Seven of our members took part in the events - randori (sparring), tandoku embu (single form) and embu (pairform). We were fortunate to be awarded seven medals in these events.

Finally, we wish to express our deep gratitude to the event instructors for making the big effort to come to New York to teach us and also to Ohashi sensei and the kenshi of New York City Branch for all of the long hours they put in to making the events so smooth and enjoyable for all attendees.

Gassho

Canadian reunion

Maria K. from the University of British Columbia Branch (Vancouver) made a return visit to our branch during the week of August 30th. She was in town visiting relatives and wished to get some additional practice in before the North American Study Session and Taikai in New York the following weekend.

Maria visited us around the same time last year and it was a delight to see her again.

Gassho

Cheque presentation to CAMH Foundation

Lori Smith, Associate VP, Development of the CAMH Foundation receiving the 2010 Kickathon cheque for $8,400 from Toronto Branch members

On the evening of Wednesday July 28, the members of Shorinji Kempo Toronto Branch presented a cheque for $8,400 to Ms. Lori Smith, Associate Vice President, Development, CAMH Foundation to support the ongoing efforts of CAMH to understand the root causes of drug addiction and to support treatment efforts.

The funds were raised from many generous donors in our 2010 "Kickathon" event - the 15th annual charity event we have held for this cause.

Following the cheque presentation Ms. Smith commented "As the longest running benefit event for CAMH, the Shorinji Kickathon has raised over $88,000 in support of research and treatment programs for addictions at our hospital. Supporting CAMH for the past 15 years, even when mental illness and addiction was shrouded in silence and shame, Shorinji Kempo Toronto Branch has encouraged the community to step up and speak out against the stigma associated with these issues. We can’t thank them enough for their support and for being true champions of our cause!"

Gassho