July 6 - 7, 2002
Spanish Federation Training Camp
In countries with four or more WSKO branches, it is possible to establish a national federation. For the purpose of establishing fellowship among branches and honing skills, branches in countries that have established federations gather periodically to hold training camps.
The Spanish Federation held a two day training camp on July 6-7, 2002 in the Northeastern city of San Sebastian, near the French border, and about 140 kenshi gathered from 12 branches. WSKO Board Chairperson Tsunehiro Arai and WSKO Director Hiroshi Aosaka traveled to the camp to serve as instructors, and they led the camp in both technical and philosophical instruction.
The basic schedule had the morning for chinkon practice, kihon (fundamentals) training, and techniques by level, and the afternoon for kihon training, techniques by level, and lecture. With kihon training involving all levels of kenshi, Board Chairperson Arai and Director Aosaka focused on vital moments to offer training useful to all levels at once.
For level-specific technical practice, participants split into three classes, kyu-kenshi, shodan, and nidan and above. The Spanish Federation Chairperson taught the kyu-kenshi, and Board Chairperson Arai and Director Aosaka taught the shodan and nidan-and-above groups for one day each. Technical instruction proceeded according to an instructional curriculum, and each rank of kenshi had one instructor at a ratio of 20-30 to one, an appropriate number to allow instructors to take each kenshi by hand, individually, and also to instruct while answering questions.
In response to the Spanish Federation's request, Board Chairperson Arai gave a lecture on the theme of "The Essence of Budo and the Meaning of 'Bu'" He wound up his talk at the end with the words, "It's not a problem, no matter how powerful you get. One thing, though, insofar as you increase your powers, please, also acquire the gentle compassion that lets you concern yourself for others."
