November 25, 2006
Japan Budo Demonstration & Workshop in Spain
The Japan Budo Delegates visited Salamanca of Spain for giving budo performances and workshops in the "Japan Week" events. Shorinji Kempo was one of the budo dispatched and 6 people were sent to Salamanca from November 22 to 28, 2006.
"Japan Week" is an international cultural exchange activity for civilian to understand Japan through learning the Japanese life and culture, arts, music, fashion, sports, and economics.
Prior to the Japan Week event, all 6 members of the Shorinji Kempo delegates had a joint practice with 53 kenshi of the Spanish Federation on November 24th. Mr. Antonio Gomez Ruiz, Shokema Branch Master, led the chinkon gyo, followed by kihon led by Mr. Nagayasu, a delegate from Japan. Spanish kenshi from minarai level to 5th Dan level were joined by the Japanese delegates while working on moving practice with everyone sweating together. Divided into each rank group for techniques, participants from different branches were practicing together, asking questions from their daily practice to each other and to the instructors showing their positive attitudes.
The delegates were invited for lunch with the Spanish Federation officers and the branch masters at the event site in Salamanca. Some of them celebrated their reunion after 23 years. They enjoyed sharing their memories, giving the lunch a friendly atmosphere.
In the morning of November 25th, kenshi with 3rd Dan and above practiced together with the Japanese delegates. Mr. Kiyoshi Makino, leader of the delegates, was answering questions from the participants. Most questions were about the techniques of 5th Dan and above, as they have limited chances to learn them.
The embu kai and the workshop given in the afternoon were visited by more than 4,000 people. In addition to the Spanish Federation kenshi, many kenshi came to see the delegates from Portugal, which had hosted a Japan Budo Delegation two years before. The Shorinji Kempo delegates were all feeling great when the Spanish and Portuguese kenshi cheered them while marching in the arena.
We had a workshop session after the embu kai. Shorinji Kempo's workshop was led by Mr. Nagayasu, one of the Shorinji Kempo delegates, having the participants experience some basic tsuki and keri, as well as some techniques, and everyone tried tenchi-ken. Children enjoyed learning Shorinji Kempo. Young kenshi of the Spanish Federation also joined the workshop making the event successful.
We had only two days with the Spanish Federation; however its officers and branch masters, as well as their members helped us to host us and prepared for the joint event. Their efforts made the whole event successful, deepening the relationship of Japan and Spain.
We the members of the Shorinji Kempo delegates would like to express our appreciation to the Spanish Federation members. Thank you very much.
(Reported by Mika Nakayama)
