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July2019 WSKO Report

The 8th European Taikai and 2019 European Regional UNITY Study Session in Stockholm, Sweden

From July 5th to 9th, 2019, we had four wonderful days of gradings, embukai, training, party and social gatherings with participants from 22 countries and a total of almost 450 people. From the look of it, we can proudly say it was all in the spirit of So Doshin’s philosophy, where everybody involved worked hard towards our common goal, looking beyond winning and personal gain.

>The Swedish Shorinji Kempo Federation is grateful for the trust given by Aosaka sensei, letting us host this event, and by Shike So Yuuki, serving as the Honorary President of the Taikai. We also want to thank Kawashima sensei, Arai sensei, Matsumoto sensei and all the European instructors who made the study session success. The Taikai was a great opportunity to promote Shorinji Kempo, with the finals and demonstrations broadcasted live. For Sweden, the results were promising, with two gold medals and one bronze. Mixed pairs competed in the Mens division, and half of all the winners in the entire embukai were women. Quite unique in the world of budo, just as our President of WSKO, So Yuuki, is.

During the Taikai, several Honorary Guests attended:

The Ambassador of Japan, Mr. Shigeyuki Hiroki

H.E. The Marshal of the Realm, Mr. Fredrik Wersäll

The Cultural Attaché of the Embassy of Japan, Mr. Toshio Yadomi

The President of the Swedish Budo & Martial Arts Federation, Mr. Gundmark

The Vice President of the International Aikido Federation, Mr. Leif Sunje

The General Secretary of the Swedish Taekwondo Federation, Mr. Ala-Häivälä

The most important part of the event was perhaps the actual training, as it is during practice that we refine the practical aspects of our teachings. We believe that our beautiful philosophy of personal development in harmony with others, stressing the importance of contributing to a better society, can be of great importance in wealthy countries in the west, where individualism has broken many ties with our past. Welcome back! Alex Tilly, Vice President of the Swedish Shorinji Kempo Federation

 

 

2019 Shorinji Kempo Unity Study Session in Monterey, California, U.S.A.

Gassho

“2019 Shorinji Kempo Unity Study Session in Monterey, California, U.S.A” was held at the Gym of Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, California, U.S.A. on June 29 & 30, 2019.

There were 102 participants from 22 branches from the U.S., Canada, and Japan. Fortunately, we could invite Mr. Mitsuru Sakashita sensei (Seihanshi 7th Dan) as the Shorinji Kempo Unity International Instructor from Japan. He is a Secretary General, Religious Affairs Department, Kongo Zen Sohonzan Shorinji.

On June 29th (Sat), 2019, the Day 1 of the study session started from the opening ceremony following the Chinkon. After that, we did warming-up and Kihon led by Sakashita sensei, and Techniques divided into 3 groups based on ranks led by Sakashita sensei and 3 WSKO instructors. All the participants enjoyed practicing techniques with various kenshi from different branches together. We had WSKO & Hokai Lecture by Sakashita sensei. He explained about “Teaching of Kongo Zen” and importance of each of us as the parts of Dharma.

In the evening, we had the Welcome Party at one of the best restaurants in Monterey with enjoyable talking and laughing very much.

On June 30th (Sun), 2019, the Day 2 also started warming-up and Kihon led by Sakashita sensei. After that, we did Technique divided into 3 groups, Hokai Lecture by Sakashita sensei, and Q&A sessions. In the Hokai lecture, Sakashita sensei explained about “Living a life based on the faith in Dharma” and emphasized that we practice Kongo Zen as “Gyo” in order to express the nature of Dharma. We could understand how important it is that we should apply what we practice into our daily life. Sakashita sensei’s teaching based on deep knowledge about the Kongo Zen and Dharma is beneficial for us and could impress all the participants.

After the closing ceremony, many participants took pictures each other while talking about reunion at the next Study Session again.

All the Monterey Branch members and volunteers are very happy to see that many of the participants could enjoy the study session with big smiles. We would like to express the greatest appreciation to the precious time and passion to participate and cooperate for Sakashita sensei, all the Branch Masters, and all the participants. Thank you very much.

Kesshu & Regards

Contributor: Kazuki Arita (Secretary General, United States Shorinji Kempo Federation)