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Jyvaskyla Branch, Finland / Oct 2003
Contributor: Kati Maki-Kuutti |
Jyvaskyla Branch 'Feels Good' in August of 2003
Kenshies on stand (writer on the left) |
In the last weekend of August 2003, Jyvaskyla Branch was facing a challenge to introduce Shorinji Kempo to people yet unfamiliar with it. The goal was to find new kenshis to continue the tradition of Finnish Shorinji Kempo in Central Finland. This year we decided to do something different. We participated in a 'Feel good' - fair that was held in the local sport centre hall. Over hundred organizations, sports clubs and companies had put on stands to show their ways of making people feel good.
Embu |
Our stand was situated in the Budo - section. For two days the brave kenshis of Jyvaskyla Branch handed out booklets of the basic information and made Shorinji Kempo known for the wondering fair crowd. People from all areas of life and age showed up. Everyone was interested in doing something useful on his/her free time, to forget the lazy couch life and be a part of something bigger.
When introducing Shorinji Kempo to large scale of people, there are some advantages that will pop out as we soon noticed. Kempo is suitable for all age groups starting from the age of 15 (we don't have recources for the juniors). It's never too late to start. We saw amazement on the faces of fifty-year-old men who were trying to tell us, that their hey-days of starting Kempo were long gone.
Branch Master Kari Maki-Kuutti, 4th dan |
Another advantage is Shorinji Kempo's ideology. As our Branch Master's assistant Mr. Timo Maki-Kuutti, 3rd dan, said to a radio interview: "One person can make a difference. He can set up a positive role model to the people around him and make the world a little better that way. We should live half to our selves and half to others, as Kaiso thought ush. And thatfs what Shorinji Kempo really is about. To make people feel better.
During the two days of making Shorinji Kempo known in Jyvaskyla, frequently asked questions was: "How does Shorinji Kempo differ from the other martial arts, such as Karate or Judo"?
On stage |
Finnish Shorinji Kempo has spread in Finland into five Branches. It started here in Jyvaskyla in the beginning of the 70's, which is still very active Branch. Kempo is not as popular form of Martial arts as some others but we are confident that after this weekend's 'Feel Good Fair' people have more information about Shorinji Kempo than before. We also believe that many of them have now overcome most of the prejudices that they might have had before this. There were a lot of people under the assumption for example that Kempo is fighting. It's easy to confuse self-defence with intiative fighting.
Some members of Jyvaskyla branch performed three demonstrations on stage. They introduced the audience into Shorinji Kempo by showing hokeis and pair techniques. Embu presentation was done by mr. Antti Koistinen, 1st kyu and mr. Mika Keskinen, 1st kyu. In the end of the third demonstration we also showed some basic Seiho. We hope to have made clear to the audience that Shorinji Kempo is a peaceful form of Budo.
Young audience |
The Fair -experience was our first and all the kenshis that participated agreed, that it was very positive. Of course when the fair audience only sees the tip of the iceberg, it's vital to give them right and correct information. There's no use to try to force people to join. Best thing is to make a good example and positive impression. The people who are really interested will take time to read the booklets or quiz the stand-by kenshis for more information.
When Sunday night drew to an end, we were all exhausted, but happy. The feeling was very camp-like without the extensive training. Our spirit was high and everyone was enjoying themselves. everyone knew that we were making something positive together. Our legs were tired of standing, throats dry from speaking constantly. Finally it was time to take down the Manji, take off the pictures from the stand, which had been our hotspot for two days. By 6 pm we left the 'Feel Good Fair'- hall with happy feelings, content with one experience richer.
Kati Maki-Kuutti, 1st kyu
Jyvaskyla Branch
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