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Sensei trains at Kalapana's new black sand beach,
Big Island, Hawaii.
In the 1980's, the old town of Kalapana and its
famous black sand beach were completely destroyed and covered over by the
erupting Kilauea volcano's lava flow. After driving until the road dead-ended
(because it had been covered by lava), we then parked the car and began
hiking over the lava rock for about a mile, towards the ocean. There, at
the water's edge, we found a new black sand beach forming because of the
relentless, powerful, pounding surf against the black lava rock. This photo
was taken in Kalapana's new black sand, where very few people have ever
visited. |
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"Boundless strength and
unlimited love"
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Kuramoto-sensei trains on Hapuna
Beach, Big Island, Hawaii |
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Master Toshio Kuramoto was born in
Saitama Ken, Japan on June 15th, 1948. He was the third son of seven children
from his parents (mom) Sada Suzuki and (dad) Kei-ichiro Kuramoto. On Oct.
5th, 1969 at the age of 21, he joined Shorinji Kempo at Koshigaya Doin,
Saitama Ken, Japan. Two years later he studied in Kagawa Ken, Japan under
the Shorinji Kempo founder, Doshin So. In 1972 he came to the United States
and over the many years worked his way up to become one of the most important
figures and highest ranking Dan holder in Shorinji Kempo, on the North American
continent. In many ways, Kuramoto-sensei single-handedly did more to promote
Shorinji Kempo in America than anyone to date. He was featured in and on
the covers of some of America's top martial arts magazines and seen in demonstrations,
comercials, videos, DVD's, film and numerous print media articles. This
collectively gave Shorinj Kempo more exposure in the US & Canada, than
any other single factors.
 ..E
Even as a young boy, you could see the determination
in his face and body language. This photo was probably taken in Saitama
Ken, Japan and it really captures the true essence of who he was destined
to become,........Master Toshio Kuramoto-Sensei.
Kuramoto-sensei was a wonderful teacher of children.
Discipline, Respect, Compassion, Self-Esteem, Confidence, Focus, Concentration,
Improved Health, Mental and Spiritual Development and Self Defense were
all very important and positive aspects of his teachings. Kuramoto-sensei
dedicated his life to the practice and teachings of Shorinji Kempo and to
making a positive and wholesome difference in our youth and our society.
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Kuramoto-sensei sits with
Shorinji Kempo founder, Doshin So and classmates at World Shorinji Kempo
headquarters in Tadotsu, Japan 1971.
NOTE: For those of you who are not familiar
with the Manji symbol and its use in Buddhist history, please do not confuse
it with, or mistake it for, the swastika! The Manji has been used for over
two millenniums in Buddhism and is found in Buddhist temples and in Buddhist
works of art throughout China, Japan and S.E. Asia. The symbol and its use
originated in India and it has been used for different meanings by many
different cultures since pre-historic times. In Japan the Manji is a common
Buddhist symbol found in temples and on maps to show the locations of Buddhist
temples. Shorinji Kempo students in Japan wear the Manji symbol on their
gi because of its Buddhist connotations and because Shorinji Kempo seeks
to follow in the traditions of the original Shaolin Temple in China. Because
of the symbol's negative connotations in Western societies, Shorinji Kempo
students in the West, wear a different symbol on their gi. We want to make
it absolutely clear that Shorinji Kempo and its Buddhist Manji symbol have
no connection whatsoever, to the Nazi swastika.
Blue Johnson, Kuramoto-sensei and David Garfield
backstage at the Buddokan in Tokyo 1997. The 50th Anniversary Celebration
of Shorinji Kempo was being held and David Garfield and I were invited by
Shorinji Kempo Headquarters to attend. David, (writer of the Shorinji Kempo
theme song) performed the theme song on piano for the closing ceremony of
the two-day celebration. After the performance, we were all backstage and
Kuramoto-sensei came up to us and introduced himself. We took photos together
and exchanged business cards. To my surprise, Kuramoto-sensei also lived
in the Los Angeles area and thus, we began a great friendship and he convinced
me to join Shorinji Kempo and train under him. As fate would have it, this
photo documents the moment in history, when I first met Kuramoto-sensei.
(Fate works in many strange ways). It took flying half way around the world
to meet this man who changed my life!
Sensei, Chieko, and Eri at Akaka Falls
Park near Hilo on Hawaii's Big Island. The natural beauty of Hawaii made
it a perfect place to relax and train. Early every morning, Kuramoto-sensei
and family would practice Shorinji Kempo on Buddha Point at Hilton Waikoloa
Village. The clean, tropical morning air and trade winds made it a highly
spiritual place to train. After daily practice, it was then time to sight-see,
relax and enjoy the island.
A large canvas painting was done of
Kuramoto-sensei and Bodhidharma. Bodhidharma was the fifth century Indian
Buddhist monk who originally brought Zen Buddhism to China and to the monks
at Shaolin. Shorinji Kempo is a Zen martial art and it is deeply rooted
in the Zen teachings of Bodhidharma and the Shaolin Temple. This life-sized,
framed painting proudly hangs in sensei's home dojo.
Training at sunset on Hapuna Beach,
Big Island, Hawaii. |
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