Monterey Branch, U.S.A / August 2009 - Contributor: Branch Master Kazuki Arita

On July 12th (Sun), 2009, 14 Kenshi demonstrated Shorinji Kempo at the "63rd Obon Festival" of Monterey Peninsula Buddhist Temple in Monterey, California, U.S.A. The participants were Mr. Makoto Hagata sensei (Mt. Diablo Branch Master), Mr. Yoshiyuki Karahashi sensei (Peninsula Branch Master), Mr. Ken-ichi Takahashi (Mt. Diablo), Ms. Leela Soden (Mt. Diablo), Mr. Christopher Hann (Mt. Diablo), Mr. Bobby Sturgeon, (Mt. Diablo), Mr. Carlos Gonzales (Mt. Diablo), Mr. Fumio Nishimura (Monterey), Mr. Mitsugu Mori (Monterey), Mr. Merced Rodriguez (Monterey), Mr. Charles Ransom (Monterey), Mr. Kleto Hernandez (Monterey), Ms. Sofia Hernandez (Monterey), and I (Kazuki Arita, Monterey Branch Master).

The Monterey Buddhist Temple was first established in the early-1940s by Japanese-American living in this area. There was Japan Town in Monterey. However, all of them were forced to move to the internment camp during the World War II. The Obon festival was restarted in 1946 a year after the war ended.

This is the 3rd time to demonstrate Shorinji Kempo for all public in Monterey. Although we have demonstrated at the Language day of Defense Language Institute (DLI) in Monterey for 5 years, the access to DLI is still very limited for all public.

The demonstration started from 12:30. We showed Chinkon, Kihon, Embu of brown belt, technique explanation, and Embu of Black belt. Although the demonstration time was short, more than 100 audiences enjoyed watching and were very impressed with our techniques with sharp movement and big Kiai.

Especially because it took over two hours for Hagata sensei, Karahashi sensei, and other branch members to come to Monterey even though they were very busy, I really appreciate their precious time, effort, and great kindness to join the demonstration.

 

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