July 5 - 7, 2002
2002 Western U.S. Regional Study Session
As a WSKO Year 2002 activity, the 2002 Western U. S. Regional Study Session was hosted from Friday through Sunday, July 5-7, at the California Institute of Technology Athletic Facility. 104 kenshi from 14 branches in the U.S.A. and 13 kenshi from 3 branches in Canada to make a total participation of 117. The three instructors sent by WSKO were WSKO Director Fujimoto Yoshimasa, 8th Dan, WSKO Instructor Kaihoko Masayuki, 7th Dan, and WSKO Assistant Secretary-General So Takashi, 6th Dan.
The study session's first two days ran from 9 am to 5 pm, and the third day from 9 am to 1 pm. On the first day, after introducing the instructors delegation and the branch masters, Director Fujimoto began with a greeting, during which he asked, "I hope you will engage your best efforts to make this study session significant, to make it something that you can make use of in your branch activities."
The contents of the session centered on practice of chinkon, fundamentals practice, and technical practice by skill level, as well as a branch master seminar, new branch master seminar, seiho study, judging study, and grading examinations for a full schedule.
At the Branch Master seminar, Director Fujimoto explained WSKO's new bylaws and new organization, and also explained how to conduct the practice of chinkon. Also, as a safety measure, the newly developed face guard's proper use was explained. During break time, the video about this safety device, "Aiming for safe and fun Randori," was played for all kenshi, and the device itself was displayed, and the instructors explained the caution necessary for using it.
Director Fujimoto gave the general lecture, entitled, "What Kaiso Aimed for." The judging seminar was a response to local requests, and participants watched a video of the 2002 Hombu Judging Seminar (which kenshi can only take at Hombu) and actually scored the video, and received explanations about how to evaluate embu. Also, in the seiho study session, fundamental seiho techniques were individually checked, and the session received favorable comments from participants.
The CalTech campus was quite spacious, and sometimes minor panics ensued when participants mistook the location upon shifting sites, but people tried to use their limited time effectively, and there were many scenes of people using the break times to do extra training outside. There are not many occasions for American and Canadian kenshi to all gather together, and so people met and renewed friendships throughout. Throughout the study session, we were blessed by pleasant clear skies, and the session had a relaxed atmosphere throughout.
After completing the schedule on the second day, there was a dinner party for all participants, and we enjoyed the occasion. Kenshi and instructors from each branch expanded their acquaintances, and kenshi exchanged promises to meet again and share the memories. The study session was a good opportunity to increase the ties among kenshi.
