Grading success

We are pleased to report that Toronto Branch kenshi have been successful in recent examinations.

Stephen passed his 5th kyu examination on 22 November 2022.

 

Jonathan passed his 3rd kyu examination on 29 November 2022.

 

Congratulations!

Kesshu

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

Grading success

 

Brian & Christian with their new certificates

We are delighted to announce that Toronto kenshi Brian and Christian successfully passed their examination for the rank of Chukenshi 3rd dan on August 23, 2022.

Many thanks to Oka-sensei (Montreal Branch) for being an examiner and Tal and Kevin for assisting with the grading.

Gassho

Grading success

 

Another kyu victory for Jonathan! He successfully passed his examination for 4th kyu on 26 July.

Well done!

Gassho

 

 

Atsugi Doin 50th Anniversary

50th anniversary group

 

On June 19, 2022 Atsugi Doin (Kanagawa, Japan) celebrated its 50th annversary with current members, OB, supporters and family members.

 

Group training

The Doin-cho of Atsugi Doin is Hiate sensei, 8th Dan. His great efforts in founding and leading Atsugi Doin for so many years are truly astonishing, particularly considering his roles in managing other branches (including Tokai University Branch, Atsugi Tamagawa Juniors Branch), teaching at Busen throughout Japan most weekends and serving as a Hombu Shidoin and examiner.

 

Hiate sensei demonstrates technique

In 1985, Toronto Branch Master John McCulloch had the priviledge of studying under Hiate sensei at Tokai University Branch and Atsugi Doin. Since then, Hiate sensei has given Toronto Branch huge support and has travelled here to teach on four occasions, including two WSKO seminars.

 

Video message from Toronto Branch

 

We wish to send our heartfelt congratulations to Hiate sensei and the members of Atusgi Doin on this historic achievement!

Gassho

Grading success - Spring 2022

 

More grading successes at Toronto Branch:

Jonathan passed his examination for 5th Kyu on March 12, 2022.

John McCulloch passed the examination for Hokai rank Junhanshi on February 25, 2022.

We look forward to more members advancing in the coming months.

Kesshu

We're back (again)!

 

We were delighted to return to the dojo in November 2021 after a very long pandemic break.

Unfortunately, our joy turned out to be shortlived as the Omicron wave caused a shutdown of all gyms in Ontario.

Today we were back in action for the first time after relxation of the Omicron restrictions and it was a wonderful experience!

We hope that our training can now continue without interruption.

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

We're back!

After spending the past 20 months of the COVID-19 pandemic training virtualy via Zoom, Toronto Branch held its first in-person class at its new home (Aikido Tendokai).

 

 

 

Practicing together after such a long gap was an incredible (and quite emotional) experience.

We will be holding two live classes per week (Tuesdays and Saturdays) at this location from now on.

Jonathan was able to be presented with his pre-pandemic 6th kyu certificate at long last!   

 

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  

 

Happy New Year!

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

Sakuyama sensei - classic embu (~1975)

Here is a TV feature filmed at Shorinji Kempo Hombu around 1975-76.

The feature includes an embu demonstration by Sakuyama sensei and Manabe sensei.

Kaiso So Doshin also demonstrates gatame waza.

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

24th Annual Shorinji Kempo Charity Kickathon raises $14,380 for CAMH

Every year during the month of May, Shorinji Kempo members worldwide engage in various forms of community support activities.

Here at Shorinji Kempo Toronto Branch, we have chosen to raise funds for the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, particularly to help fund their efforts to understand and treat the causes of drug addiction.

The method we employ is our annual Kickathon - an event where we perform 500 continuous full force kicks with kiai (yell!) in return for sponsorship.

Reviewing the Kickathon training plan

This is our 24th successive annual charity Kickathon for CAMH and, from a practical point of view, that also means we are also 24 years older than when we started!

Our kicks are lower and a bit slower than in 1996, but thanks to our incredible sponsors we were able to raise $14,380 in our event this year.  Our Kickathon initiative has now raised a total of $179,160 for CAMH since it began.

The start

Halfway done (shaken but not stirred)

Nearly done (kicks getting lower)

We wish to thank our wonderful sponsors for their incredible generosity and loyal support of our event.

We also wish to salute the efforts of Lidia and her team at CAMH Foundation for helping make this event successful once again.

Immediately after the kicking

Finally, we commend CAMH for all its work in helping to understand and address the serious threat of drug addiction.

Gassho

Shorinji Kempo Toronto Branch 

Grading success!

Well done Julie (now 5th kyu) and Ben (now 6th kyu)!

Toronto Branch members Julie and Ben successfully passed their kyu examinations on 14 January 2019.

Congratulations!

Gassho

Happy New Year from Toronto Branch!

We wish you health, happiness, peace and prosperity in the year ahead!

Gassho

Visitors from Japan

In 2018 we were fortunate again to have several visitors from Japan come to join our practice.

We are glad to belong to the worldwide Shorinji Kempo family!

Gassho

Chika-san (2nd dan) from Wakayama-ken

Takashi-san (3rd dan) from Mie-ken

Fujikawa-san (2nd dan) from Tochigi-ken

Karate master visits Shorinji Kempo HQ

Grading sucess!

Congratulations to Julie and Max on passing their examinations for 6th Kyu (Julie) and 1st Kyu (Max) on July 9, 2018!

Gassho