California Branches / June 2006 Contributor: Peninsula Branch Master Yoshiyuki Karahashi

On May 21, 2006 (Sunday), kenshi from the San Francisco, Mt.Diablo, Defense Language Institute, and Peninsula Branches gathered at the Hakone Gardens in Saratoga, California to give a demonstration during the 7th annual "Hakone Matsuri" Festival. The Hakone Gardens (www.hakone.com) has a 90 year history, through out which people from both the US and Japan have created, maintained and expanded the splendid garden.

During the 7th annual "Matsuri" Festival, various groups, including Tsugaru-Shamisen, Judo, Tea Ceremony, Japanese Calligraphy, gave public demonstrations.

Usually weather in this region in late May is fabulous, but on this day, unfortunately the forecast was for rain. In fact, light rain was sprinkling throughout the morning. This prompted relocating the Shorinji Kempo demonstration to an indoor space. Immediately before the demonstration, though, the rain stopped enough for the outside stage to dry, and re-relocate the demonstration outside for a bigger audience to watch.

The demonstration included group Kihon, Hokei, Un'yoho, and Embu. During the demonstration, rain started to come down again, starting as a sprinkle, but quickly becoming moderately heavy rain. The stage got slippery, but we managed to finish the demonstration successfully. The audiences as well as the Festival staff were impressed with the Shorinji Kempo demonstration, and we hope to make this an annual event.



Lastly, special thanks to Makoto Hagata sensei (Mt.Diablo Branch Master) and Kazuki Arita sensei (DLI Branch Master) who both drove close to 2 hours from the north and south, respectively, to help in this demonstration.

 

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