May 31 - June 2, 2002
2002 WSKO South American Regional Study Sessions
As a part of the "2002 Japan Foundation Athletic Instructors Short Dispatch Program," Shorinji Kempo held its demonstration in the Republic of Cuba and the Federal Republic of Brazil with financial assistance from the Japan Foundation. In the Federal Republic of Brazil, where branches of Shorinji Kempo have already been active, study sessions were also held in conjunction with the demonstration.
Under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Japan Foundation is a specialized institution for the purpose of promoting mutual understanding and friendship on the international scene through cultural exchanges such as academic pursuits, arts, sports and media. The Shorinji Kempo Federation Foundation has participated in and supported this program every time in these recent years and this year amounted to its third time to visit South America. The dispatched personnel this year included WSKO President Yuuki So, WSKO Instructor Masanori Nagata, Shorinji Kempo Federation staff member Kosaku Tanaka, Shorinji Kempo Federation staff member Masaki Nagayasu and WSKO staff member Nobuyasu Kuramoto.
The Shorinji Kempo Federation delegation left Cuba after its demonstration and headed toward Porto Alegre in Brazil on May 30. Porto Alegre, a town located in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, is the place where Shorinji Kempo initially commenced in Brazil and where it is most active.
The Porto Alegre Branch Master and many other Kenshi received the delegation at the airport and gave an enthusiastic welcome to the delegation including in particular President Yuuki So who visited the place for the first time and Instructor Masanori Nagata with his third visit this time.
In Brazil, 15 branches have already been taking an active part in Shorinji Kempo and about 150 Kenshi from 11 branches participated in the study sessions this time. The local Kenshi had been preparing for the study sessions elaborately including at the prior Branch Master meetings.
The 3-day study sessions consisted of two major pillars of technical training and mental cultivation through lectures, including those targeting all participants and by qualification (Kyu/ Dan holders) respectively.
[Technical training]
At the technical training, first of all, the Kihon techniques were reviewed targeting all participants. The Kihon techniques tend to be regarded as a mere preparatory exercise at everyday trainings but the instructor explained that even skilled and advanced techniques are based on the solid Kihon to preach its importance.
In the technical training by qualification, the participants were divided into three classes of Dan holders, Kyu Kenshi and Minarai, and each of the qualifications was attended and instructed by a dispatched personnel. Dan holders, who are routinely devoting their time to instruct juniors, were able to take this opportunity to strive to learn advanced techniques.
All the Kenshi were engaged in the training extremely enthusiastically while actively asking questions to instructors by themselves. In order to respond to them, instructors were also busy scampering around the crammed venue to teach each and every participant by taking his/her hand, contributing to their acquisition of techniques in the limited time.
[Lecture]
On the second day of the study sessions, President Yuuki So delivered her lecture. She mentioned about the circular effect through which, "You obtain a little confidence through encounters with techniques and friends and gather courage gradually to take an action, forming them into a shape for the first time. Then, people agreeing with the action appear, a support system is built and you can contribute to people or society. Then, you find the pleasure of being trusted or needed by others, which leads to your next confidence." The participants listened to her words earnestly and deepened their understanding about the objective of practicing Shorinji Kempo, namely, "construction of a truly peaceful and prosperous society."
