Seattle Branch, U.S.A. / February 2010 - Contributor: Andrew Crowder

Shorinji Kempo Demonstrations at Local Elementary School

The Seattle branch has been busy this winter. We have done Shorinji Kempo demonstrations at two local events that have brought the local community a chance to experience Japanese culture.

On Saturday January 23rd, we took part in a multi-cultural festival at the Baha'i center in Bellevue, WA for an Open Window school event. The center was sponsoring an event to give its members a chance to experience the cultures of Japan, the United Kingdom, and India. Each culture had space in the center for exhibits and displays, and had stage time in the main gathering hall.

In the Japan area, in addition to Shorinji Kempo, there was a display of Japanese toys, a place to learn Origami, and a place to learn flower arrangement. Onaka - sensei's wife Naomi was one of the flower arrangement teachers.

The demonstration featured a short Mohan Embu by Onaka-sensei and Tsuneoka Junichi kenshi, as well as a Tan En demonstration by Fukumoto Keiji kenshi. All kenshi demonstrated Kihon, and Onaka sensei concluded with a brief talk about helping family at home.

On Friday February 5th, we had another opportunity at a Japan Night event at John Stanford International School (JSIS) in Seattle, where my daughter is a student. JSIS is a public school that offers two bilingual programs - English/Spanish and English/Japanese.

The Japan night celebration is a chance for students to experience various elements of Japanese culture - ranging from chopstick use to wearing Kimono, and learning about Karuta. There were two performances on the stage - a Seattle Taiko group, and Shorinji Kempo.

There were two main parts to the demonstration. The first part was a demonstration of Shorinji Kempo techniques by kenshi. The second part was designed to let the students experience Shorinji Kempo for themselves.

Once again, the demonstration started with a Mohan Embu performance by Onaka-sensei and Tsuneoka Junichi kenshi. Then all kenshi demonstrated kihon, some paired basic techniques, and finally the paired form of Ten Chi Ken Dai Ikkei.

Next we invited kindergarten and elementary students to the stage. We taught them Kesshu and Gassho Rei. Then we taught them Uwa Uke and Shita Uke. Onaka-sensei then stood at the front of the stage, facing the students, and punched or kicked, and had the kids do the appropriate block. It was safe, and the kids laughed and had a lot of fun. We let them go back to their parents after one more Gassho Rei to everyone watching. Finally, Onaka-sensei gave a brief Howa about how courtesy is the foundation of mutual respect, and mindfulness is the foundation of success in many areas, including school.

We received several positive comments from parents and teachers after both demonstrations, and we enjoy supporting the local community.

 

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