Shorinji Kempo International Taikai 2001 in Paris
Shorinji Kempo International Taikai 2001 was held on a grand scale at the Centre Sportif Georges
Carpentier in Paris, France on April 29, Sunday, with as many as 4,000
spectators. The International Taikai of Shorinji Kempo takes place every
four years. This Taikai has become a commemorative event as the first one
to be held in the twenty-first century.
1,300 people from nineteen countries participated in the event and performed
powerful embu. Various events were also carried out before the Taikai including the
WSKO Board of Directors, Councilors, General, and Branch Masters
Meetings, the Branch Establishment Seminar, and the Eve Festival, as
well as the International Sutudy Session
and Dan Examinations following the Taikai.
Friendship was actively promoted beyond frontiers. Participants shared
great inspiration and emotional movement that could never be obtained
just within their own countries.
Tea-Ceremony
On the day before the taikai (April 28), WSKO Board Director and International
Taikai Chair Hiroshi Aosaka hosted a tea ceremony in his garden tea room "Sei sei jaku
an." At the party, graced by such guests as Marly- Le-Roi City Mayor Jean Yves Perot and former prime ministerial
cabinet member Picot Anies and spouse, Sen Soshu himself, the head of the Musha Koji Senke school, prepared the tea. The authentic
tea house was the realization of Mr. Aosaka's strong wish to build a tea house to entertain guests from countries around
the world at the International Taikai.
Taikai Eve Festival
That evening at seven o'clock, a eve festival hosted in the Paris suburb of Pavillon
Balthar was put on in grand style with orchestral music setting the background for the party. After WSKO President Yuuki
So's remarks about wanting to develop Shorinji Kempo into an organization that could contribute to society, President So,
Board member Aosaka, and WSKO Secretary-General Tsunehiro Arai performed a cake cutting ceremony praying
for the great success of the taikai.
Highlights of the party included a portrayal of the Daruma Taishi's bringing of the Buddhist
teachings by WSKO Instructor Kazuhiro Kawashima and the other members of the Federation Official Demo Team entitled,
"Daruma in Paris." Hotoku Gakuen High School Shorinji Kempo Club also presented a vigorous drum performance entitled
Hotoku Shorinji Ranbu Ryukon Daiko. After that performance, the affair turned into a dance party, and we had so
much fun that we lost track of time.
International Taikai
At two in the afternoon on April 29, Shorinji Kempo International
Taikai 2001 reached its opening moment. The Hotoku Gakuen Ranbu Ryukon Daiko opened the event, and then Executive
Committee Chairman Aosaka greeted everyone with an opening speech: "Welcome to Paris. We have prepared for
you not so much a taikai for the records as a taikai for the memories. We hope you all have a great time." Then, following
the Shorinji Kempo Federation Official Demo Team's technical
exhibition, embu judging of representatives from each country commenced.
After imposing, powerful performances by each country's representatives, the sight of unrestrained applause
by other countries entrants emphasized that embu are more than simply a competition. After the conclusion of embu
judging, the taikai presented various special events followed by chinkon gyo, kihon practice, a Rakan Renken embu by all who
wished to join in, the Presentation Division performances by kenshi of each country, group and paired embu by Japan Shorinji
Budo Academy students.
In the closing speech, Executive Committee Chairman Aosaka said, "I wanted this taikai and its
hosting in Paris to be seen by Kaiso and by Kaiso' wife. I am truly overjoyed that Mrs. So could be in attendance here today." So
saying, he introduced Mrs. Emiko So (Shorinji Kempo Federation Auditor) before all the kenshi, and the hall was filled with loud
applause as the taikai came to a close.
International Study Session
The International Study Session was held after the closing of the taikai, during April 30 and May 1. Attendance reached about
1,000 people, and despite the size of the hall we practiced by yielding space back and forth amongst ourselves. In the technical
practice separated by experience level, multiple kenshi acted as translators to communicate the information. The participants'
approach to studying Shorinji Kempo was truly ardent, and using notebooks and video cameras brought for the purpose, one
could see figures of people everywhere earnestly trying to acquire the instructors' techniques.
In the latter half, there was a lecture on "How to Practice and Essence of Shorinji Kempo." This was followed by grading
examinations. At the closing ceremonies, new ranks and study session certificates were distributed, and after the closing statement,
participating kenshi all gathered for a commemorative photograph.
All participating kenshi are awarded study
session certificates.
Award Winners of the International Taikai 2001
= Men 4th Dan and Above =
Most Superior Award: Aoyama Nobuaki & Uehara Noriko (JAPAN / Kizu)
Superior Award: Morikawa Kazuhito & Morikawa Hirohito (JAPAN / Rakuto)
Excellence Award: Fukuie Kenji & Asada Ikuhiro (JAPAN / Setagaya)
Excellence Award: Yasuaki Todoroki & Harada Kazuaki (AUSTRALIA / Sydney)
Excellence Award: Carugati Maurizio & IwamotoMasako(ITALY / Milano)
Excellence Award: Karahashi Yoshiyuki & Omi Jun (U.S.A. / San Francisco)
= Men 3rd Dan =
Most Superior Award: Noro Kazuyoshi & Okumura Taichi (JAPAN / Nippon Sport Science University)
Superior Award: Tanita Yasuaki & Yamamoto Yoshiaki & Kashiba Michihito (JAPAN / Hitachiogawa)
Excellence Award: Nakata Yuuki & Inoue Shigeru & Yagi Yui (JAPAN / Otemon Gakuin University)
Excellence Award: Barker Cailey & Collis Joe B. (U.K. / Abbey Centre)
Excellence Award: Tong Kent & Carter J. Simon (U.S.A. / San Francisco)
Excellence Award: Mace Philippe & Juhel Frederic (FRANCE / C.O.L)
= Men 2nd Dan =
Most Superior Award: Kusumi Naoki & Sugita Sohei (JAPAN / Keio University)
Superior Award: Aizawa Makoto & Kajiyama Kohei (JAPAN / Otemon Gakuin University)
Excellence Award: Fazio Massimiliano & Marchetti Marco (ITALY / Messina)
Excellence Award: Magnusson Anders & Tilly Alexander F. (SWEDEN / Stockholm Sodra)
Excellence Award: Carrico Cristina Maria & Henriques Carlos Eduardo (PORTUGAL / Oriental)
Excellence Award: Wada Masatoshi & Mihara Hirotsugu (JAPAN / Sensyuozaki)
= Men 1st Dan =
Most Superior Award: Goto Takuya & Yoshida Teruyuki (JAPAN / Sendai Ikuei High School)
Most Superior Award: Saka Yuki & Saka Ryuta (U.S.A. / Silicon Valley)
Excellence Award: Abe Shinsuke & Nagaishi Yoshihide & Higashi Takefumi (JAPAN / Kumamoto University)
Excellence Award: Kawaguchi Toshiaki & Terakura Toyosaburo (JAPAN / Osaka University)
Excellence Award: Viana Vinicius Vercoza & Iuppen Rodrigo (BRAZIL / Downtown Porto Alegre)
Excellence Award: Silva Claudia Sa & Coelho Nelson Miguel (PORTUGAL / Oriental)
= Men Kyu Kenshi =
Most Superior Award: Alpa Edison & Mulya Sitanggang (INDONESIA)
Superior Award: Umeki Minoru & Kobayashi Naoko(JAPAN / Science University of Tokyo)
Excellence Award: Urayama Takahiro & Kusaka Yuta (JAPAN / Sendai ikuei High School)
Excellence Award: Inoue Takayuki & Inose Masayoshi (JAPAN / Josai International University)
Excellence Award: Bouts Tony & Delord Julien (FRANCE / C.S.M.G.)
Excellence Award: Desmars Luc & Meddah Djamel (FRANCE / A.M.A)
= Women 3rd Dan and Above =
Most Superior Award: Tanaka Mako & Mizutani Miho (JAPAN / Kansai Gaidai University)
Superior Award: Kuwahara Setsuko & Kamada Keiko (JAPAN / Osaka Joto) Tamaki Masumi (JAPAN / Osaka Joto)
Excellence Award: Menah Suprianah & Ulya Himawaty (INDONESIA)
Excellence Award: Ohnishi Yukako & Nakagawa Sachie (JAPAN / Nippon Sport Science University)
= Women 2nd Dan =
Most Superior Award: Akimoto Emi & Naito Mie (JAPAN / Nippon Sport Science University)
Superior Award: Hashimoto Ichie & Nishioka Takako (JAPAN / Otemon Gakuin University)
Excellence Award: Lilis Puji Winarni & Ida Ayu Pramanasasari Pidada (INDONESIA )
Excellence Award: Yoshimura Mayuko & Sugiyama Yumi (JAPAN / Osaka Kanaoka)
Excellence Award: Memon Afira & Matsumoto Mitsuko (U.K. / Brixton)
Excellence Award: Sculli Letizia & Zucco Angela(ITALY / Messina)
= Women 1st Dan =
Most Superior Award: Toyama Yuka & Yoyogi Fusae (JAPAN / Nippon Sport Science University)
Superior Award: Kawano Masayo & Mukai Saori (JAPAN / Momoyama Gakuin University)
Excellence Award: Kashiki Tomoko & Iwanari Yuki(JAPAN / Kyoto Nishi High school)
Excellence Award: Lora Engelistinawaty & Indah Wahyu Pertami (INDONESIA)
Excellence Award: Hosoya Kaoru & Imaizumi Setsuko (U.K. / Brixton)
Excellence Award: Yokoichi Mari J. & Jensen Anna(SWEDEN / Stockholms Studenter)
= Women Kyu Kenshi =
Most Superior Award: Matsumoto Yuka & Nishimura Fumie(JAPAN / Otsu Syogyo High school)
Superior Award: Matsui Fumiko & Seida Mai (JAPAN / Nishishibata High school)
Excellence Award: Audrla Ridzkiana & Hendar Setiani. Istimewati (INDONESIA)
Excellence Award: Odachi Miki & Yanagiwara Yukie (JAPAN / International University of Health and Welfave)
Excellence Award: Jaberoo Marie-Claire & Cassar Tina I.Y. (U.K. / Glasgow)
Excellence Award: Skytt Victoria & Kelly Stina(SWEDEN / Stockholms Studenter)
