Monterey Branch & Northern California, U.S.A / May 2007 Contributor: Monterey Branch Master Kazuki Arita

On May 18th (Fri), 2007, 8 Kenshi demonstrated Shorinji Kempo at the "Language Day" of Defense Language Institute (DLI) in Monterey, California, U.S.A. The participants were Karahashi sensei (Peninsula Branch Master), Becky Thipavong (Silicon Valley Branch), A.J. Richardi (Silicon Valley Branch), Misha Tsukerman (Silicon Valley Branch), Rob Davies (Silicon Valley Branch), Kelly Chang (Silicon Valley Branch), Sophy Shum (Silicon Valley Branch), and I (Kazuki Arita, Monterey Branch Master).

DLI is the world biggest language college managed by U.S Department of Defense in the central coast of California. There are more than 3000 military or U.S. Government officials who study languages in the 23 different foreign language programs. I (Arita) teach Japanese language here and used to teach Shorinji Kempo in the DLI.

"Language Day" an annual open house to all elementary/middle/high school, college, and university students in the U.S. as well as the general public. The Shorinji Kempo demonstration was held in order to introduce Japanese Martial Arts as one of Japanese culture on behalf of Japanese Branch of DLI. Although the demonstration time was short, all audiences enjoyed watching our techniques with sharp Kiai. Especially, the group embu of 6 Silicon Valley Kenshi was very much impressed with about 300 audiences.

Especially because it took many hours for the participants to come to DLI and because they took a day off from their work or school even though they were very busy on Friday, I really appreciate the participants' precious time, effort, and great kindness to join the demonstration.

 

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