January 14, 2007
2007 Kagami Biraki
On January 14th, 2007, "Kagami Biraki" the annual first event of the year was held at Kongo Zen Sohonzan Shorinji / Headquarters of Shorinji Kempo Federation. It also marked the beginning of the serrieds of events celebrating the 60th anniversary of Shorinji Kempo.
Shinshun Houe (New Year's Assembly) was held at Hondo from 9 am. Mrs. Yuuki So, Shorinji Kempo Shike, gave an address on how our Shorinji Kempo activities should be and said "People are worried about the future of the society and trying to find the way to go. I feel that people see Shorinji Kempo that it has an answer. As an educational organization, Shorinji Kempo should be able to make anyone, regardless of age and sex, enjoy practicing it. We want to satisfy the expectations of the society with practical measures." She asked the attendees for their cooperation to her plans.
Then Representative Officer Yoshitaka Suzuki gave his policy for the New Year. He commended some leaders who have led their do-in for 45 years and for 40 years. New rank holders of Daihanshi and 8th Dan received their certificates on the stage.
Lastly, Ms. Fukune Nitta, doin-cho of Awaji Chubu Doin, who is also the youngest female doin-cho, expressed her new year's resolution.
At Rensei Dojo from 10 am, "keiko hajime (first practice of the year)" was held attended by around 800 kenshi both adult and children. After Shorinji Kempo Group Chairperson Yuuki So greeted everyone, who were divided into two groups; children at Rensei Dojo and adults at Hondo, practice started at each dojo. Even in the cold halls, participating kenshi cheerfully enjoyed their first training of the year, filling the two dojo with their constant voices of kiai.
President Tsunehiro Arai of Shorinji Kempo Federation showed various techniques to the participants, followed by demonstrations by children, adults, parents and their children, groups. After the demonstration was an embu kai, attended by more than 100 pairs.
On Keidai, the front yard of the premises, mochi-tsuki (rice pounding) was performed to offer to the visitors. Children participated in pounding.
People enjoyed freshly pounded mochi and hot ama-zake (sweet sake of low alcohol, traditional winter drink), and also hot zenzai (sweet red bean soup, traditional winter sweet) with two mochi, red and white color respectively, color combination of celebration. At the canteen, zenzai were provided for free, and hot curry and rice and udon noodles were sold. Kenshi warmed their cold bodies with various hot drinks and foods.
Mr. Yoshihisa Miyano, who has been taking pictures of Shorinji Kempo from the very early days, gave us an exhibition as last year. This time he showed us some pictures of Kaiso celebrating his 60th birthday in a traditional costume.
Shorinji Kempo Group New Year Party was held at Kodo from noon. Officers and supporters of the Shorinji Kempo Group celebrated the New Year. Shorinji Kempo celebrates its 60th anniversary this year with various commemorative events. Attendees made a new resolution together for a great success of all the events we are holding this year.
