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Seoul Ichon Branch, Korea, February 2012
- Contributor: Tomofumi Hayashi
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My name is Tomofumi Hayashi. Currently I am living in Seoul, Korea on business. I started learning Shorinji Kempo here in Seoul at the age of 47 with my 7-year old son.
In Korea, Tae Kwon Do is the most popular martial arts and my son started learning it soon after he had come to Korea. He seemed to enjoy it as an activity. However, as to fundamental philosophy and backgrounds of the techniques, he was not able to understand what teacher said in Korean. This situation made us feel uncomfortable. Then my wife found Shorinji Kempo Dojo and suggested me to go there with my son because practices are held on every weekend.
Thus we met Yamagishi sensei of Seoul Ichon branch. At the beginning, practices were too hard for me because of my lack of exercise. Besides that, I thought my role an accompanist to take my son to Dojo. So I didnft devote myself to practices. However, the more I learned Shorinji Kempo, the more I was impressed its rational body movement and reasonably written curriculums. Gradually I have been attracted by its philosophy.
Yamagishi sensei opened our Seoul Ichon branch officially in 2006. As of now, over 15 members gather in Dojo. Recently, elementary school studentsf members have been increased. Over half of members are elementary and junior high students. Until the moment every practice starts, Dojo is like a playground, where kids are playing cheerfully. Though they are so energetic, Yamagishi sensei treats and teaches them very well without making them bored.
Last December, Yamagishi sensei arranged our branch's 5th anniversary year-end event. All members participated in this event. We had practiced and built up our Shorinji Kempo skills as possible as we could, according to each of our levels. Through the effort for their preparation, especially kids made further growth both physically and mentally. For this day, they performed earnestly and showed their growth to their families at the event. I felt that it was really meaningful to have this kind of opportunity to help their growth.
For me, every weekend's practice is still very hard, so it is my great challenge. And I believe that the more I learn the Shorinji Kempo, the more I will still make growth with these kidsf members.
Tomofumi Hayashi, 3rd kyu
Seoul Ichon branch, Korea
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