Vaugirard Branch, France / May 2003 Contributor: Assistant Branch Master Laurent Espeso

Aosaka Sensei created the Shorinji Kempo Vaugirard Section in 1983.
In 1985, he gave his assistants, Jacques Jabes and Thierry Montabord, the task of developing the club, a responsibility that they jointly assumed until 1995 when Jacques Jabes left mainland France for Guadeloupe (in the French West Indies).

Appointed Branch Master in 1990, Thierry Montabord took over the teaching and development of the section in 1995, assisted by one of his oldest students, Hery Andrianjafy and myself, Laurent Espeso.

Located in the heart of Paris, the club has trained many students over the years, but because the training hours were quite restrictive, it was not always possible for everyone to pursue their training. So last year, the section extended its hours and now proposes new time slots later in the day so that everyone has easier access.

The section comprises kenshis of all ages and levels. It regularly organises dinners and other evening events to foster the group's cohesion.

This year, for the first time as a kenshi of the Vaugirard Shibu, I was given the opportunity to go to Japan to participate in Hombu A and B University Training Camps which proved to be a truly unique experience. I was accompanied by another French person, Frederic Juhel, Branch Master of the Vallet Section.

This was our first trip to Japan which left us with extraordinary memories; were we highly impressed by the country itself, the hospitality extended by all the people we met during our stay, and of course by the training at Hombu which for foreigners, was both an amazing and rewarding experience.

After being introduced to all the other kenshis participating in the training course on the first morning, I joined the group corresponding to my level where the instructors from Hombu and teachers from various Japanese Shibu ran the training sessions in different dojos, depending on the type of techniques: Goho or Juho.

All these teachers and instructors did their utmost to provide me with detailed explanations on the techniques. One evening after the lessons, I even had the opportunity to have dinner with the teachers who were more than willing to give me further information and explain certain technical details.

These informal dinners also allowed us to discuss the history of Shorinji Kempo as well as its spread and importance in Japan.

After having been invited to train at Hombu Doin, I also had the opportunity to attend several training sessions in the first Doin of Kaiso So Doshin.
Throughout my numerous lectures, I was shown a photo of this beautiful wood building; to be able to train in this Doin was therefore highly symbolic for me since it conveyed the very history of Shorinji Kempo.

At Hombu Doin, Kawashima sensei gave us a very warm welcome and our discussions continued well after the training despite the fact that further sessions awaited us the following morning.

Between the two camps, I took advantage of my trip to Japan to visit the centre of Kyoto for a few days where I discovered that traditional Japan as I had imagined it, does indeed still exist. Kyoto has remained an old town, essentially made up of low buildings and which has preserved numerous Buddhist and Shinto temples. Life in Kyoto is very different from that of bustling Osaka despite its proximity.

During these few days, I was warmly welcomed by Morikawa sensei and his sons who invited me to train in the magnificent Rakuto Doin. I would like to take this opportunity of sending them my very warmest regards and most sincere thanks. The day after this training, I continued my visit of the town with several kenshis from Rakuto Doin who took the time to accompany me.

This two-week trip was extremely enriching in terms of the contacts I made with the teachers, the Japanese kenshis, the academics who were staying in the same hotel as me (kenshis from the University of Fukuoka) as well as other foreign kenshis from the United Kingdom, Indonesia and Brazil.

Despite the language barrier because of my somewhat limited command of Japanese, I was nevertheless able to fully benefit from my stay and participate in discussions on all sorts of topics, because of the kindness and help of everyone we met and who guided us.

I would therefore like to sincerely thank all those who extended such a warm welcome to us:
-The teachers -and in particular Mr. Kawashima Sensei- who allowed us to attend their lessons and through their teaching and patience, opened up new horizons for us.
-All the kenshis we met in Hombu and Kyoto, who openly accompanied us on our visits and made themselves readily available to share some wonderful moments of friendship.
-All the members of the WSKO administrative personnel who welcomed us at Hombu and provided us with precious assistance during our stay in Tadotsu notably by being our interpreters.

Everyone helped to make our stay a rich and rewarding experience. I hope we have the opportunity to meet again soon to prolong the friendship we have now created.

 

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