German Federation / Oct 2004 Contributor: Joerg Rackwitz, Humboldt Universitaet Berlin Branch

25 Years of Shorinji Kempo in Germany

Goho lesson at the first day of the national stage

On the weekend of the 25th/26th September nearly 200 Kenshi gathered in the town of Koenigsbrunn near Augsburg in Southern Germany to celebrate 25 years of Shorinji Kempo in Germany. Walther Wunderle, today President of the German Shorinji Kempo Federation DSKV, brought Shorinji Kempo to Germany in 1979 after staying several years in Japan. Shorinji Kempo has developed since in Germany and the German Shorinji Kempo Federation DSKV made a huge step forwards during the last year with the foundation of three additional branches.

Warm Up at the beginning of the public demonstration

The training seminar and celebration commemorating 25 years of Shorinji Kempo in Germany were held in the town of Koenigsbrunn. High ranking Senseis including Aosaka Sensei, Head of European Office of Shorinji Kempo and WSKO Instructor Satoh Sensei, Fukuoka Nishi Doincho, were among the guests of this event. Wunderle Sensei, Head of the German Shorinji Kempo Federation, welcomed Kenshi from five countries including the Shorinji Kempo Federation presidents from Italy - Maurizio Carugati, Switzerland - Marco Pellegrino and Frank Baldet from France, and Kenshi from UK, who joined the German Kenshi in celebrating this event.

Question & Answer session with Aosaka Sensei and Satoh Sensei

First of all this weekend was a very valuable training seminar. The Kenshi got numerous impulses from the different Senseis, for Goho as well as for Juho techniques. But the Kenshi did not stay alone celebrating this event. On the afternoon September 25th a demonstration for the public was held. Nearly 200 visitors found their way into the hall and were quite impressed by the demonstration of the Kenshi, that included Pair and Group Embus from all participating federations as well as a charity event. Combined with 200 zuki and 100 keri a sum of 700 Euro was collected and donated to a german children foundation (Deutscher Kinderschutzbund).

Typical Bavarian Folk Dance Group in their traditional costume

The celebration was continued in a dinner on the evening, where typical Bavarian food and entertainment found an enthusiastic audience.

The training on Sunday was closed with a Question & Answer session that among others gave a deep inside into the history and philosophy of Shorinji Kempo.

The event was a huge success, not only to intensify the connections of Kenshi within and outside of different countries, but also because the german branches could recruit several new Kenshi, who where among the spectators of the demonstration. We are looking forward to see all of our guests again during the International Taikai in Fukui, Japan next year.









Kenshi at the charity performance!
"Punch and Kick" for a german children foundation.

 

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