Shorinji Kempo NYC Branch Blog

On Saturday, May 5th 2012, the Shorinji Kempo New York City Branch held a demonstration show of techniques and philosophy. This was a special demonstration in that we were requested by the JET (Japan Exchange Teaching) Programme Alumni Association, JETAA, to have a private show for their members.

The purpose of JETAA is to promote through its activities a broader and deeper understanding between Japan and the countries participating on the JET Programme. They asked our help in sharing Japanese martial arts with them and we were pleased to act as ambassadors of Shorinji Kempo.

This was a great opportunity for us to share with our community what Shorinji Kempo is, and to have a chance to do something special out of the norm of our regular practice. Especially for our newer kenshi, it gave them an opportunity to create and show their embu for the first time.

We explained the history and philosophy of Shorinji Kempo briefly and shared some of our own personal stories. Then we demonstrated parts of Chinkon Gyo, Kihon, Randori, Seiho, and women’s self defense.

Everyone put their best efforts into the demonstration and it was good motivation to work hard together and to keep improving ourselves. It was fun and our audience was engaged and at the end, they were able to practice some techniques together with us. We also had a luncheon party with our guests and had some nice conversation. Finally, we ended with a group photo.

Thank you to the JETAA for a great event and opportunity. We look forward to working together in the future.

On March 30, 2012, the Shorinji Kempo New York City Branch attended the United Nations International School’s Harumatsuri (Japanese Spring Festival). This was our 9th annual invitation to the event.

Students from local schools in the New York and New Jersey area, who are studying Japanese, join the event and have the opportunity to learn different crafts, skills, and arts. We were one of many booths and did our best to introduce Shorinji Kempo techniques and philosophy to these young, enthusiastic students.

We had about 10-15 minutes with each group and started by explaining gassho rei and some basic kamae. Then we practiced jodan furi ko zuki together with kiai. We were surprised how loud and clear their kiai was after only a couple minutes of demonstration. Some of their kiai were louder than our own class!

The students were all very enthusiastic and unafraid to try new things which made it easy for us to teach. They seemed to enjoy a challenge and a chance to show their inner strength. As we worked with students in pairs, each had a different experience and reaction. While learning a release technique, one student began jumping up and down with excitement saying how cool it was. After complimenting her coordination, another student told us it was because she practices fencing. One student that stood out the most in our memory was so enthusiastic that each time he completed a technique, he would smile, nod, and then strike a pose!

We also met a lovely young student named Maika Tezuka from Keio Academy of New York who was a volunteer that assisted our booth. She helped us organize the students and we were very grateful for her help and to be able to meet her.

This event has always been a great opportunity for us to work with youth and to share Shorinji Kempo with others outside of the dojo. We each were given a chance by Ohashi Sensei to take leadership and take turns teaching groups. This year, three black belt kenshi; Peter Kito, Naoko Ono, and Jessica Kashiwabara attended along with two new kenshi; I-Chin Chiang and Dima Stanetsky, who were able to experience this event for the first time.

Working with teenagers got us all to reminisce about our own youth and school experiences as we chatted over lunch together and relaxed after a day of hard work. We look forward to next year’s event.

The following is a summary of a recent gakka by black belt kenshi Jessica Kashiwabara.

This is the first chapter of the Shorinji Kempo Tokuhon (philosophy textbook) which shows how important it is to our practice. It emphasizes that Shorinji Kempo is not merely about physical training or building a repertoire of techniques in order to defeat others, but rather an opportunity to deepen a sense of self and to gain confidence and courage.

True Strength is:

• the strength to help others and to become a person that can be relied upon
• to have an unbreakable spirit through hardships and the strength to keep on living

Through Shorinji Kempo training, we have the opportunity to form relationships and learn to work together and support each other. We gain confidence and courage by accomplishing goals, putting ourselves in stressful situations to defend ourselves, and by developing a voice to express oneself clearly and to speak up for wrongs and rights. We learn that winning is not as important as learning to strive through hard times and that one’s true character is revealed in these tough times. In essence, this is Jiko Kakuristu (self establishment) and Jita Kyoraku (mutual happiness).

However, the most important step is the first one; the motivation and desire to grow and to aspire to transform oneself.

The following is a summary of a recent gakka led by black belt Naoko Ono.

There are 4 important basic systems in Shorinji Kempo.

• Kihon: Foundation and basic movements such as tsuki, keri, uke, kamae.
• Hokei: Forms such as Tenchi ken #1, Giwa ken #1 and learning to move in response to opponents’ movements.
• Enbu: Work with partner/s to show the skills learned in Kihon and Hokei.
• Randori (Un’yoho): Free style to develop an understanding of distance and apply skills while working together.

Through our training, we are building Ken Zen Ichinyo, Body and Spirit united, and are becoming more in tune with our bodies. Also, we develop Jiko Kakuritsu, Self Establishment, as we learn to overcome our weaknesses.

Kihon and Hokei can be practiced individually however, Embu and Randori as applications, require a partner.

When working with a partner we develop a spirit of Jita Kyoraku, caring and thinking about your partner’s condition. In Embu, you work together creatively putting techniques in order while collectively achieving a goal.

Also with partners, we have the opportunity to experience elements of Ri (principles using minimal power with natural movements) such as distance, speed, angle, and kyojitsu. Kihon also uses Ri however, with a partner we experience a deeper understanding.

All 4 systems are fundamental and must be practiced in a balanced way.

The following is a summary of a recent gakka by black belt kenshi Jessica Kashiwabara.

During Chinkon Gyo meditation, we recite words to remind us of why we practice and what goals we strive to achieve through our practice. The three sections are Meditation (Seiku), Oath (Seigan), and Creed (Shinjo). The words can be found here.

Each section emphasizes particular goals; the Meditation speaks of ourselves as individuals, the Oath speaks of the rules and discipline of Shorinji Kempo training, and the Creed speaks of how we can contribute to society through our training.

The Creed is divided into four parts.

Part 1:
“Mindful that our spirits come from Dharma and our bodies from our parents, we acknowledge our debts and express our gratitude by applying ourselves to the full.”

• Understand our place as human beings in this world
• The word “Dharma” is used as an acknowledgement of nature and the universe.
• We appreciate that we are given life and are connected and a part of the universe as a whole. We are responsible for our own lives and everything around us that we have the power to affect.
• By achieving our true potential through disciplined training, we give back for our gift of life.

Part 2:
“We resolve to love these communities and these people, and through them to contribute to world peace and happiness.”

• Fulfilling the duty to that which raised and sustained you
• Love, compassion, mutual respect begins within our own families and with friends.
• We aim to think of our community as our own family.
• In this way, we contribute to the world through individuals.

Part 3:
“We resolve to become men and women of true courage, who love justice, respect humanity, act with decorum and defend peace.”

• Our attitude toward society
• Value all people and respect each other as contributors to society and the universe.
• Seek to resolve issues and problems without violence.
• Peace comes from valuing one another’s potential as humans and striving to cooperate with one another.

Part 4:
“We strive toward constructing an ideal world by mastering the principles of this Art, strengthening ourselves mentally and physically, an sharing this purpose with others in mutual friendship, respect, and support.”

• Acting as a member of Shorinji Kempo
• Through the microcosm of our Shorinji Kempo dojo, we achieve our goals through hard work and whole-hearted cooperation.
• By creating an ideal dojo, we unite our strengths and are closer to making an ideal world.

These words are read in each class to give each student a moment to refresh and reflect upon our mutual goals. We aim to carry this feeling into our daily lives.

The following is a summary of a recent gakka by black belt kenshi Naoko Ono.

Kaiso said, “The person, the person, the person — everything depends on the quality of the person.”

If each one of us has strength, then one can help the other. We can lean on one another for support. One goal of Shorinji Kempo’s practice is to become a strong individual that is able to help others and create mutual happiness.

Through our training, we can develop that strength. To master each technique, we must repeat the movements and develop an understanding. Then, gradually you can feel your own improvement and have a sense of achievement. Also to improve your life outside of the dojo, try to think of a goal for each day and at the end of the day reflect on what you have achieved. In this way, we all become stronger.

Two main objectives of Shorinji Kempo through Gyo are Jiko Kakuritsu and Jita Kyoraku.

• Jiko Kakuritsu (to become a person that can be relied upon; self establishment) should be built at your own pace so that you can begin to feel a sense of confidence.
• Jita Kyoraku (act with the same consideration for others as we give ourselves; mutual happiness) should create honesty within ourselves and with others, and to care for one another.

This is what is needed for true strength and a peaceful society. This is Gyo.

The following is a summary of a gakka (philosophy class) by black belt kenshi Peter Kito.

As Shorinji Kempo practitioners (kenshi), we have undoubtedly heard and spoken about the topic of “kiai” many times. We have heard that “kiai” is a bringing together of one’s mind, ki (energy), and strength and is expressed and released by one’s voice from one’s tanden. Finally, through mental and technical training we are told, kenshi can progress from the level of voiced kiai to the level of unvoiced kiai (fukumi kiai).

But what about “kiai“? What about the why and how?

Why?
We often hear that to scare or startle your opponent or attacker is one of the first and primary reasons why we do kiai. We also kiai to gather and focus all of our energy, mind and spirit, and strength for a particular strike, move, or technique therefore finally resulting in a stronger, more powerful, and committed strike or action.

In the meantime, by doing kiai, we can coordinate our breathing and muscular contraction so that we can simultaneously “shield” our internal organs to ready and prepare ourselves in case our opponent’s counter hits us. All of these reasons are very important, especially when trying to defend yourself from someone attempting to harm you.

How?
Considering the above, we need to make sure our kiai is serious and with “intention”. Although it is not required to look “mean”, we shouldn’t smile or look too passive either - whether it is a loud, “voiced kiai” or a fukumi “unvoiced kiai“.

Take for example the many self-defense classes and programs including Shorinji Kempo that exist today. One common advice that they give is that when you are attacked and you are defending yourself, you should shout or yell loudly (kiai) so as to draw attention to your situation. That way, any neighbors or passersby can come to your aid or call the police or local authorities. If kiai is so strongly recommended in such serious and possible life or death situations, we need to consider that kiaiis serious business.

Kiai is like a technique in itself to be practiced and honed continuously, just like any other technique.

Legend of Kiai
In martial arts, there are many stories about kiai – about birds falling from trees and adversaries being paralyzed by a person’s kiai. Although some stories seem far-fetched and may be exaggerations, one has to wonder then, why did the masters of old speak of such feats? Perhaps it was to show the value of kiai and to encourage their students to use this powerful tool.

Conclusion
So, the next time you take class, don’t think of doing a technique with a kiai, but think that the technique is your kiai. Unite your mind, ki, and strength in your technique without hesitation and go for it. This is kiai.

The following is a summary of a recent gakka (philosophy class) led by black belt kenshi David Bogdan.

How to Study the Technical and Philosophical Teachings

To understand the whole of Shorinji Kempo, it is important to balance one’s focus in training equally between technical and philosophical study. Kihon and Hokei are often what we most actively think about when we’re in the dojo - these physical practices put our bodies to work, get us moving, sweating, and help erase the daily stress of our lives. But Shorinji Kempo offers more than these short term enjoyments. It was developed to be a discipline for the body and the mind equally, and to fully understand Shorinji Kempo - to gain its long term benefits and achieve its goals - one’s training must be balanced between body and mind too.

Technical Teachings

To practice the physical, technical side, come to class ready to work hard and put all your energy into physical training. Use the curriculum book, take notes in class and be aware of what techniques you should know for your level. This will help you organize and focus your efforts, and help to prevent asking for repeat explanations during valuable class time.

The technical curriculum of Shorinji Kempo was designed to help kenshi make step-by-step progress over many years of training. The techniques we learn impart a deep understanding of complex movements, fine points of balance, rhythm, pressure point activation, and joint manipulation. It takes time to learn and at times can seem overwhelming, but remember that exactly the same curriculum and method of training used in New York City is used throughout the world, and it has been proven as an effective teaching method over generations of kenshi.

Philosophical Teachings

Ways to study the philosophical teaching of Shorinji Kempo are often less clear. The best place to start is to read the Tokuhon textbook and to continue to read it over and over as you progress through training. The chapters are written in a simple language, but the message of the book is more nuanced than can be captured in a single reading. As you learn more about Shorinji Kempo as a whole, the information in the Tokuhon will appear in new light.

Each class has a period for Chinkon Gyo, and our mental efforts should be applied to this practice as earnestly as they are physically during Kihon and Hokei. Recitation of the Seiku (Meditation), Seigan (Oath) and Shinjo (Creed), is a time to reflect on our practice and reaffirm our goals. Seated meditation should clear our minds, revitalize our bodies with proper breath, and prepare us for the next phase of practice.

Teachings As One

Another thing we should keep in mind is that technical and philosophical teachings of Shorinji Kempo are not actually separate things. Remember that among the six distinguishing characteristics of Shorinji Kempo there are: Riki Ai Funi (strength and love in harmony), Fusatsu Katsujun (not to kill, but to awaken), and Kumite Shutai (paired practice is primary).

As you work with a partner during Hokei, these things should constantly inform the attitude with which you practice - understanding how to share effort, knowledge, and accept discomfort in a way that allows both sides to make progress through training is an essential part of understanding Shorinji Kempo and its goals for a better world. Training in this way unites the technical and philosophical teachings of Shorinji Kempo: Its technical practice always contains philosophical elements such as mutual development, while its philosophical teachings can’t be practiced without the means provided by studying technique.

On July 14, 2011, Ambassador Shigeyuki Hiroki, Consul General of Japan in New York, visited the New York City Branch. For the past year and a half, he worked in Afghanistan as Japan’s ambassador for efforts to build peace and stability in the region. He assumed his post in New York this year in February.

Ambassador Hiroki requested to visit and watch our practice because he has a duty to promote Japanese cultural forms in New York. In particular, schools in Japan have recently begun adopting traditional martial arts in an effort to improve high school youths’ discipline. Thus, Ambassador Hiroki has been researching and learning more about martial arts to see its potential to be incorporated into Japanese schools in New York.

Ambassador Hiroki and Ohashi Sensei spoke about cultural differences in the way of learning martial arts between the U.S. and Japan, and the mutual benefits beyond the differences. Ambassador Hiroki is someone who knows well the difficulties among cultures and races to understand one another and was interested in the ways Shorinji Kempo could contribute to the education of youth. He mentioned that he has not had any personal experience with martial arts, but he enjoys watching it very much. He was also surprised to learn that all Shorinji Kempo branch masters work as volunteers.

We were happy to meet the Ambassador and share the potentials of Shorinji Kempo with him.

Read the official report on the WSKO headquarters website.

The following is a summary of a gakka (philosophy class) from the June 2011 Black Belt Group meeting led by kenshi Steven Krieg.

This month, the Black Belt Group (BBG) met and practiced 3 goho techniques and 2 juho techniques. All 5 were San Dan level. The 3 goho techniques were: soto uke dan zuki, uchi age uke dan zuki and shita uke zuki. The 2 juho techniques were: kiri kaeshi nage and morote kiri kaeshi nage.

As a gakka we spoke about how we (and the dojo) would respond in the worst case scenario if Ohashi Sensei had to leave us. This would be a horrible scenario but we felt it important, as an exercise, to see what we would do. We all had a chance to state our opinions and in the end there were several points that we all agreed on.

1. A loss of Ohashi Sensei would be a tremendous set back for our branch.
2. We, the BBG, have the resolve to continue our practice of the basics.
3. With the U.S. federation established we would use that leadership to help us stabilize and move forward.

This was not an easy discussion nor was it comfortable. But we want to be as prepared as possible for any event so we may respond in a good manner.

As a result we all appreciate more the great efforts of Ohashi Sensei in leading, managing, and teaching the kenshi of our dojo.