Happy 50th birthday, British Shorinji Kempo Federation!
50 years ago, Shorinji Kempo arrived from Japan to the UK, and the organisation that we now know as the BSKF was formed. Last weekend we celebrated that fact with a four day extravaganza of training, competition, gradings and parties.
Taikai
The “big meeting” was the main focus of the weekend. Many of the competitors had spend 6 or more months of intense effort preparing their embu (choreographed fight) or practicing their randori (sparring) skills.
And it showed!
The embu in particular were excellently executed and impressive to watch.
As with all competitions there were winners – but in the true spirit of Shorinji Kempo even those who came last did not “lose” for they learned valuable lessons about their own bravery and skills.
Gala Dinner
Of course, at the end of the competition was not the end of the fun. After a short break to refresh ourselves we gathered for drinks and canapés followed by a delicious meal. Everyone who was anyone in Shorinji Kempo from the last 50 years was invited and a large number of them came. Plus lots of our current students of course!
Catching up with friends old and new was the order of the evening, and we definitely achieved it.
Training
Before and after the competition day, we of course spent time training. The quality of teaching was high, with guest instructors from Japan, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, France, and more, as well as our own senior teachers.
Special sessions on self defence applications, weapons, seiho (massage), some of the less common leg pins, and several other interesting topics were interspersed with techniques from our syllabus.
Grading
Special gradings were held for senior dan grades on the Sunday. These nerve-wracking events put you through your paces and find all the flaws in your knowledge. You must know not only all the techniques off your own syllabus but also have improved at the ones on previous syllabuses – plus shakujo (long stick), appo, and more.
We are, however, pleased to announce that our very own Sensei Nicki successfully completed the requirements for the rank of 5th Dan!
