British Federation / Feb 2004 from Japanese monthly magazine "Kaiho ShorinjiKempo" March 2004 issue

Japanese Monthly Magazine "Kaiho ShorinjiKempo" presents one kenshi from WSKO's national federations. This article first appeared in its March 2004 issue.


1) Country: England

2) Name: Russell Charles Jenkins

3) Date of birth: 13th August 1950

4) Sex: Male

5) Occupation: Sports Injury Bowen Therapist

6) Branch Name: Bournemouth Branch BSKF

7) Personal History in Shorinji Kempo: I joined Shorinji Kempo in September 1974. Sensei Toshi Yoshida was 3rd Dan Instructor at the time. I had trained for four years in Wado Ryu Karate and four years Judo. I went to see Sensei Yoshida's class when he had only been in Bournemouth for three weeks. I immediately was enthralled by the dynamic techniques I witnessed, and joined straight away moving away from Karate. Sensei Yoshida could not speak any English at all at that time, and for weeks on end used to come along side myself and would strike my fist that I had tucked under my armpit Karate style, and shout, "No Karate!! No Karate!!" I met my training partner Sensei Peter Moore at that time and we have come up through the grades together since. When Yoshida Sensei returned to Japan, I took over the Bournemouth Branch with Sensei Peter assisting. There were about six or seven kenshi training at that time. As martial arts became more popular because of the films of Bruce Lee, the numbers training rose to about 100 training at one time!! We stayed at the YMCA dojo for 19 years before moving to our current dojo where we have been for the past 10 years.

8) Your present grade: 5th Dan

9) Please state of your position in your dojo, i.e. Branch master, etc.: Branch Master

10) Number of training days in a week and hours of each training day: 2 days per week, 2 hours

11) Please state the reason to join the Shorinji Kempo: Shorinji Kempo was the best system of self-defence I had ever seen. Dynamic techniques that incorporated punches, kicks, throws, and locks were very unusual in England in 1974.

12) What is the fascination of Shorinji Kempo to you? My opinion has changed as the years have gone by. Whilst I still regard Shorinji Kempo as the ultimate martial art, what has become more important in some ways is the unique bond of friendship that Shorinji Kempo brings to all its practitioners. I know I can go anywhere in the World and train with kind, considerate human beings, who care about one another. It is like belonging to one huge family.

13) Please tell us what makes you difficulties during training? The biggest difficulty I find is the same difficulty we as humans all suffer, and that is not having enough time to fulfil all my hopes and dreams. As I grow older I have come to realise how important love and friendship that is built on trust can be developed amongst people of all races and creed. Through Shorinji Kempo and the way we conduct our lives, we can in some small measure achieve those dreams. I wish at 24 years old when I started Shorinji Kempo, I had that knowledge that Shorinji Kempo has brought me to now.

14) Please tell us your dream/hope/aim : Either in connection with Shorinji Kempo or other than Shorinji Kempo matter.: My dreams for the future is that one day all men can live in peace, putting aside religious beliefs, doctrine, or preduces. I believe that if you can make that small difference to just one child or person for the better, then we can achieve our dreams. My dojo has in the past and we have just done so again raised a lot of money for children who are less fortunate than others. If we can extend a hand of help or friendship, then this should be our duty as members of society. As Kaiso taught us, we must take actions and be leaders for others to follow.

15) Please tell us a boast (proud of) within your country, to appeal to Japanese kenshi.: As I sit hear writing this the England Rugby Team has just won the World Cup!! Hard luck Australia!! This moment has made us all proud, not only for the fact that England have won but for the manner in which they won. There are probably few harder games to play than rugby, it is very tough and physical, but to see the sporting manner in which the whole competition was played made everyone here in Britain very proud. Like Japan England is only a small island but like the Japanese we are also a proud nation with the hearts of lions!!! I wish you all happiness and success for the future.

 

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