June 29, 2002 - July 1, 2002
Italian Federation 25th Anniversary Embu Meet & Study Session
From June 29 to July 1, 2002, the Italian Federation commemorated 25 years of Shorinji Kempo growth in Italy by hosting the Anniversary Embu Gathering and Study Session in Messina on the island of Sicily. WSKO Board Chairperson Tsunehiro Arai was invited to attend the event from Japan, and WSKO Director Hiroshi Aosaka and WSKO Director Tameo Mizuno were invited from France and Britain, respectively.
The total number of participants exceeded 400, and chairpersons and kenshi from the French Federation, the British Federation, the Swedish Federation, and the Portuguese Federation also went to cheer them on at the Embu Meet and the Study Session.
At the Embu Meet, branch masters of all Italian branches led a Shorinji Kempo demonstration set to music. Also, representatives of each European national federation and local aikido and kendo instructors presented embu.
The study session followed the basic schedule of starting with chinkon practice, warm-up, and basics practice, followed by dividing into ranks and studying techniques. WSKO Board Chairperson Tsunehiro Arai and WSKO Directors Hiroshi Aosaka and Tameo Mizuno also instructed, and it was a serious but enjoyable time, as the participants worked hard at learning the techniques.
Also, Director Mizuno gave a lecture under the title, "Making a network of people through Shorinji Kempo." The director, for whom it will soon be 30 years since coming to Britain, spoke about his experiences and the invaluable personal relationships he has gained thereby, and the attendees listened intently.
Among the kenshi who came from around Europe to the anniversary event, there were many who brought along their families. We were treated to sights of families enjoying Shorinji Kempo together - cheering at the embu meet, and swimming together in the ocean afterward.
Moreover, the Italian Federation is cultivating regular activities to protect animals, and conducts events to gather funds for handicapped animals. An animal protection group was also invited to the anniversary events, and they introduced activities aimed toward making social contributions.
