East Auckland Branch, New Zealand / Mar 2003 Contributor: Branch Master Yoshimasa Tanaka

We held the annual "Kagami Biraki" ceremony on January the 14th, 2003, with the New Year's address given by the branch master, and a special address given by our honoured guest, Mr. Tatsuo Mizuno, Japanese Consul General of Auckland. The "hono embu" demonstration also took place. The ceremony was followed by the presentation of Dan Certificates to the new 2nd Dan Kenshi and to two 1st Dan Kenshi who had passed the grading examination at the last year's WSKO Oceania Regional Study Session. I had asked the consul general to present the certificates. The Kenshi who were given their certificates were nervous at this rare opportunity but were very pleased.

After a short break, the second part of the ceremony was a party during which we ate "o-zenzai (Japanese traditional sweet red bean soup with pieces of rice cake)" together with the other guests. My wife prepares enough "o-zenzai" for 100 visitors every year. The visitors change from year to year, but the pot of "o-zenzai" with "mochi" and red beans my wife cooks is always almost empty. My branch Kenshi, who did not like the taste before, now really like the "o-zenzai" and ask her for another cup.

Mr. Mizuno, Consul General, kindly attended our ceremony, in spite of the ceremony being held on a weekday. I would like to keep a good relationship with the Consulate General, and promote Shorinji Kempo further.

 

TOP