October 3-5, 2008
WSKO Western North American Regional Study Session
& 1st North American Taikai
WSKO Western North-American Regional Study Session was held at Mountain View Buddhist Temple, San Jose, U.S.A., on October 3rd and 4th, 2008. At this opportunity, the North American Branches held the First North American Taikai, hosted by the Silicon Valley Branch on October 5th at Comden Community Center, and invited the WSKO President Yuuki So to the whole event.
The two-day study session was taught by WSKO President Yuuki So, WSKO Secretary-General Kaname Onishi, WSKO Instructors Kiyotsugu Umeno, Kenzo Onogi, and Mitsuru Sakashita.
The special lecture by the WSKO President was for everyone, explaining that Shorinji Kempo was founded as a means of developing individuals, and that Shorinji Kempo helps you to make maximum use of your potential, brings you the joy of changing yourself, also the importance of protecting the art.
Mr. Umeno gave a lesson on un'yo-ho, the importance of practicing sparring and points to remember in practicing. Mr. Onogi talked about forming an embu to help the participants for future Taikai.
The Taikai was held on October 5th, after the study session. The Chairman of this first Taikai was Mr. Yasumasa Nagamine, Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, with the presence of WSKO President Yuuki So, participated by 150 members of 20 branches in Canada and the U.S.A.
The categories were Embu in single / pair / group forms, and Un'yoho (sparring), as well as speeches by children and family demonstration. While the embu and un'yoho were presented with great seriousness, the event itself were in a friendly atmosphere from beginning to end.
As mentioned in the address by WSKO President and in the message by Mr. Masahiko Komura, former Foreign Minister of Japan, the participants felt Shorinji Kempo as a means of developing individuals.
This Taikai, attended by WSKO President, has become an opportunity to back up the current movement toward the establishment of a national federation in the U.S.A.
