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What's New?

Indonesia Federation (PERKEMI) opened its Virtual Tandoku Embu Taikai for two days on August 13 and 14, 2020, broadcasting the event live on YouTube.
Solo embu were performed by about 200 kenshi at the local facility of Ministry of Communication and Information of Indonesia in their town in all 34 provinces of Indonesia connected online, and the judges in Jakarta and other locations evaluated each embu watching their screen.
Seven categories of this Taikai were Men Kyu Kenshi, Women Kyu Kenshi, Men Shodan, Women Shodan, Men 2nd & 3rd Dan, Women 2nd & 3rd Dan, and Groups.
At the main site in Jakarta, the opening ceremony started at 9 am on August 13. Greeting addresses were presented by the Indonesian National Sports Committee (KONI PUSAT), Minister of Youth and Sports Republic of Indonesia, Minister of Communication and Information of Indonesia among others, and also by WSKO President connected from Japan.
On August 14, the second day, the final round of each category started at 9:15am.
This Taikai was conducted with full technical support provided by the Ministry of Communication and Information of Indonesia and Indonesia Telecommunication Corporation (PT Telkom).
As the COVID-19 spread around the world, Indonesia practiced lockdown and self-isolation orders across the country like many other countries. Holding events like competitions was banned. However, Indonesian Federation has been organizing online sessions since the early days of the pandemic. This Taikai has become a model case in our attempt to find the new ways under the circumstance where we are greatly restricted from doing what we had considered normal activities.

    

 

 

       

 

To All Branch Masters and Kenshi
of the World Shorinji Kempo Organization

The restrictions by national governments around the world have been about the same so far, but now started to differ from country to country. Depending on the local circumstances with the COVID-19, some countries have lifted their lockdowns partially or allow people to go out conditionally, and economic activities are going back toward the normal state step by step. However, many countries still ban indoor activities. We will have to wait a little longer before we can fully return to our regular Shorinji Kempo practice. Also, the recent news reported mass infections occurred in China’s Wuhan and South Korea. These countries were thought that the virus was nearly eradicated.

On the whole, the COVID-19 cannot be eradicated easily; people’s careless acts may bring a possibility of a second outbreak, as wise people as you are well aware. You have been patiently staying at home for nearly two months with very limited freedom in your normal daily activities, in going to work, and in practicing Shorinji Kempo. To avoid wasting all these efforts, I believe what is required for us is calm assessment.

If you plan to resume your regular Shorinji Kempo practice, grading examinations, or various events, please check the guidelines below as the minimum conditions.

Each time I see the news reports on the tremendous work provided by health professionals and on the new medicines or vaccines being developed by medical institutes, I am assured that the current situation will not last forever. I believe you feel the same. Let’s all stay strong for a little longer to overcome the situation.

If you have any questions, please ask the WSKO Secretariat.

Kesshu.

Kazuhiro Kawashima
Secretary-General
World Shorinji Kempo Organization (WSKO)

[ Topics ]

1. Guidelines for Resuming Shorinji Kempo Promotional Activities Under this pandemic, WSKO gives the top priority to the safety and health of all the members, their families, and people concerned, because I am sure that this will be the base for our prosperity movement toward establishing the ideal society.
Therefore, please check the items below and give it a careful consideration before you decide to re-start your activities.
If you see any other matters to be considered, please give them your careful attention.

(1) Official announcements of WHO
(2) Safety announcement is declared by your government (the ministry of health or equivalent), or rules such as stay-at-home order or banned indoor activities are lifted or eased.
(3) If you are in a Regular Group Member (a national federation), please discuss in the federation and reach an agreement.
(4) If you are in an Associate Group Member (a country without a national federation), please discuss with the senior members of your branch. If there are neighboring branches, please also discuss with them.
(5) Agreement is made with the facility you use for your branch activities.

2. “Shorinji Kempo Group Channel” on YouTube Some videos of solo embu or lectures are posted on the above channel.
They are not educational materials but this channel is provided as supplement to easy at-home self-practice for kenshi in Japan.
Therefore, we do not plan to cover the techniques following the curriculums or to add subtitles in languages other than Japanese.
I believe that indoor activities are limited in many countries like in Japan. Planning and giving on-line training classes as you do in regular classes are encouraged.

(For Item 3, please read the e-mail sent from the WSKO Secretariat to Branch Masters)

To All Branch Masters and Kenshi
of the World Shorinji Kempo Organization

In many countries around the world, extraordinary measures such as border closures and home quarantines remain in order to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. Many of them set the end of such measures to the beginning of May. We only hope that these harsh measures will end at the set dates. However, we do not see many good news and the possibility is high that they may be extended. Due to such circumstances, we wonder many of you are forced to live with less freedom not only to stop practicing Shorinji Kempo for a long time.

If there is any branch master or kenshi who is not well, we sincerely wish for speedy recovery.

If there is any branch master or kenshi who continues to work to support people’s lives, who is a healthcare professional, or who works in the field related to preventing the spread of the virus, we would like to express our deep appreciation and respect, and pray that they will keep themselves safe and healthy.

Under such a still difficult circumstances, we see wonderful activities; many kenshi are connected beyond their own branches or even country borders via online meeting applications or alike to stay together, exercise together, and cheer up each other. Some of you may already participate in such activities. Such wonderful efforts remind us that we have comrades of Shorinji Kempo in so many countries and continents, and that we can support each other.

What we need is to “Stay Home” for a little longer. All branch masters may have already been doing something for their kenshi who follow you. There may be some kenshi or their family who feel depressed. Even if it is via internet connection, or even if it is a short time, being connected to someone and doing physical exercise together, that would affect their minds positively, as a human is “Shin Shin Ichinyo” (Body and mind work together).
It would be wonderful if Shorinji Kempo can contribute to maintaining the bonds between people and their health.

Let’s believe that the human wisdom will end this pandemic in the near future. Then, let’s make the World Taikai next year an opportunity for many of you to talk about the wonderful power of Shorinji Kempo and its potentiality. For that purpose, let’s do our best now to maintain healthy body and mind.

Kesshu.

Kouma So, President
Kazuhiro Kawashima, Secretary-General
and Secretariat Staff
of the World Shorinji Kempo Organization (WSKO)

[TOPICS]
Please read three topics below and contact WSKO Secretariat if you have any questions.

1. Operations of the WSKO Secretariat
Like many other countries, Japan where the WSKO Secretariat is located is seeing more severe consequences of the novel coronavirus, and its government announced the state of emergency recently.
Based on the declaration, the WSKO Secretariat staff has been working from home since April 20. However, we have re-arranged our network system so that the staff can receive/send messages at wskohq@shorinjikempo.or.jp from home every day.

Due to the temporal closure of branches around the world, we are receiving less registration documents and orders for goods, but please feel reassured; we are open for documents and applications by e-mail as usual, and for any inquiries.
However, please understand that we have stopped mailing the membership cards, Kyu and Dan certificates and learning materials due to the suspension of the postal service in many countries. When the services are back in normal operation, we will start mailing them in the proper order.

2. Special Dan Examinations in FY2020
Among the UNITY Study Sessions scheduled in FY2020, some have already been cancelled. The examinations scheduled in Japan have also been canceled for the time being. Please understand that we do not announce any schedules for Special Dan Examinations to avoid inappropriate announcement under the circumstances where many countries including Japan are trying to deal with this extraordinary situation.

3. WSKO Membership Fees and Examination Fees (SHORINJI KEMPO UNITY) We made an announcement on this matter on March 24, 2020.
We will send you the invoices as scheduled in the mid-May. If you have any request regarding payment, please contact the WSKO Secretariat.

End.

To All Branch Masters

As announced in 19-SUTO-31 dated March 11, 2020, the Guideline has been partially revised as of April 1, 2020.
Please download the new version of the Guideline from the Branch Master’s page on this website.
Please also excuse us that French and Spanish versions require some more time due to our working conveniences.
We plan to send by post the new trademark images that have become effective with this revision to each national federation after the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
We still cannot talk about the future around the world, but we hope you will maintain your good health and overcome the difficulties the virus has brought to us.

To All Branch Masters and Kenshi
of the World Shorinji Kempo Organization

The COVID-19 has now spread around the world. All countries where Shorinji Kempo is practiced have confirmed the infection cases and many of the countries have been forced to implement hard measures to protect their people. If any of you, your family members or friends are infected with the virus, I would like to send my best wishes and pray for a speedy recovery.

We had organized a WSKO training camp to be held from March 26 to 29, 2020, at the headquarters of Shorinji Kempo in Tadotsu, Kagawa Prefecture of Japan, the town where Shorinji Kempo was founded, attended by 170 comrades of Shorinji Kempo from 20 countries, which did not happen to my great disappointment. Many countries have imposed lockdowns, and people are banned from going out; it is painful to me that many people around the world are forced to live in stress feeling uneasy. Even under such circumstances, on the other hand, I have had positive reports that Kenshi are practicing together connected each other from home via Internet, and actively communicating and cheering up each other.

Now is the time when we should spend wisely doing what is the best for respective countries and areas. Let’s believe and wait that the human wisdom will surely retrieve our normal lives back soon. When the time comes, let’s all work together again to promote Shorinji Kempo.

I look forward to meeting you again at the World Taikai and the International Study Session in October 2021.

Stay positive.

Kazuhiro Kawashima
Secretary-General
World Shorinji Kempo Organization

November 12, 2019

German Training Camp 2019 with 40th Anniversary of Shorinji Kempo in Germany

In 1979 Walther Wunderle, today’s Honorary President of the German Shorinji Kempo Association, founded the first Dojo (Sugakusa) in Germany after his return from Japan at the request of Satoh Sensei in the city of Augsburg. He had been in Japan for almost 4 years to study martial arts “at the source”. Finally he met there Satoh Sensei, who taught him in Shorinji Kempo. Walter Wunderle found in Shorinji Kempo a martial art that combines both physical practice and personal growth. He was taught by Satoh Sensei during his numerous stays in Japan, as well as by Aosaka Sensei during European courses.

Wunderle Sensei is now 7th Dan Junhanshi and is the first European to reach this rank. One of his first students Kurt Kammerl, current president of the German Association, founded the second Dojo in Augsburg East in 1986. Over the years, the German Shorinji Kempo community has grown.

The German Shorinji Kempo Association was officially founded in 2001 and now has 8 dojos. In addition to Augsburg, dojos with a total of about 250 Kenshi were created in Königsbrunn, Kammerstein, Schwabmünchen, Bobingen, Berlin and Munich. In the context of the celebrations to the 40th anniversary of Shorinji Kempo in Germany an international Gasshuku was organized from 18.10. -20.10.2019. 10 nations with about 140 Kenshi took part.

At the invitation of Lord Mayor Kurt Gribl, a delegation came together in the Prince’s Room of the Augsburg Town Hall on 18 October to take part in a festive reception on the occasion of the anniversary.

On behalf of the Lord Mayor Mrs. Petra Keller welcomed the representatives of Japan, France, Italy, Sweden, Finland, Russia and Switzerland as well as the Branchmaster of the German Dojos and the Managing Director of the German Japanese Society Rainer Völlmerk. The Consul General Tetsuja Kimura and the Deputy President Douglas Beard addressed greetings to the representatives of the participating nations. The martial art Shorinji Kempo was demonstrated in an embu performance. At the end the president of the German association Kurt Kammerl thanked for the greetings and the invitation to the reception. This shows the solidarity of the city of Augsburg with Japan and the importance of the martial art Shorinji Kempo for international relations.

The Gasshuku took place in Königsbrunn, a small town near Augsburg. It was led by WSKO Instructor Aosaka Sensei (9th dan daihanshi and Secretary General of the European office Shorinji Kempo), Kenji Satoh Sensei (8th dan daihanshi) with son Takuma Satoh (6th dan junhanshi). Once again we would like to thank all Sensei for their help!

Already on Friday evening the Gasshuku began with skill exercises, which served the first getting to know. Saturday and Sunday were dedicated to the training from 9 to 15 o’clock.

The warm-up on Saturday included yoga exercises and on Sunday an original, dynamic warm-up took place, in which movements of animals were simulated. Kihon and Hokei were followed by work with techniques in groups of different graduations.

As with every course, the instructors encouraged the Kenshi to change partners regularly and work with practitioners from other countries to promote encounters and friendships. The philosophy classes on Saturday given by Aosaka Sensei were dedicated to the virtues jin (仁), gi (義), chû (忠), ko (孝), rei (礼) and haji (恥).

The next day Satoh Sensei informed about the foundation and history of the martial art Shorinji Kempo. He also spoke about his personal experiences and developments in this discipline. On Saturday afternoon the German Association organized a charity gala for the benefit of the association “Weisser Ring” for the victims of crime. Several German dojos and foreign associations presented the different facets of Shorinji Kempo to the public.

The demonstrations included numerous Embu, including the winners of the European Embukais in the 3rd dan category and more from Arnaud Tiquet and Hanna Svedberg.

A special feature was the musically accompanied representation of the Italian federation, as well as a realistic representation of defense techniques in a possible everyday situation.

The Taiko group from Augsburg framed the event with impressive musical interludes. The Augsburger Puppenkiste were guests and enchanted all present with their puppet show. Aosaka Sensei and Satoh Sensei will associate a special memory with the presentation of puppets with Dogi. The gala ended with a “punch and kick challenge” in which almost all Kenshi participated. The spectators should reward the effort of 200 Tsuki and another 100 Geri in a row with a donation. The efforts had been worth it, because at the end a considerable amount of money was added up.

Together with other donations Kurt Kammerl presented a cheque of 1000 Euro to the “White Ring” in the name of the German Shorinji Kempo Association.

On Saturday evening the participants gathered in the hotel for a Bavarian evening. Many Kenshi wore the traditional Bavarian clothes. The participants were spoiled by the Bavarian cuisine in the form of a buffet. A modern dance show enlivened the evening. Afterwards we danced with music and some Sensei took part. The Kampai sounds of the different tables followed. The party ended for most at 24:00 o’clock. Because on Sunday training was on the program again.

For the guests who were still present on Sunday evening they could see how beer is brewed during a brewery tour in Augsburg. Afterwards good Bavarian food followed and of course some beers.

 

 

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)


The International Training Camp in Saint-Petersburg has happened during the first weekend of April 2019. It was the 6th instalment of the event that Baltika Brunch hosts annually under direction of the branch master Alexander Sofronov (4th dan). For three days, (5-7th April) the northern capital of Russia welcomed Kenshies from all over the country as well as international honored guests:Sensei Didier Camp (6th Dan) from France, Sensei Alex Tilly (5th dan) from Sweden, Sensei Kurt Kammerl (6th dan) and Sensei Manfred Birling (5th dan) from Germany , Sensei Seppo Ruusukivi (5th dan) and Sensei Timo Mäki-Kuutti (5th dan) from Finland. The seminars began on Friday (5th of April) in the evening and finished on Sunday (7th of April) afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

Alongside the 6th International Training Camp, the first Russian Embukai has happened. In the morning of the 6th of April Russian Kenshi took part at the Embukai at the categories Kyu-Kenshi and Dan-kenshi. The judges were the branch masters and key instructors of the main brunches in Russia and included Alexey Rokitsky (5th dan), Makoto Hamakava (5th dan), Anatoly Lukutin (4th dan), Alexander Kramar (3rd dan) and Anton Kozlov (3rd dan).

The first place winners of the Russian Embukai are Natalia Sotnikova and Igor Titov (Baltika Brunch) – category Dan-kenshi; Alexander Semchenko and Eugeny Khukhryantsky (Moscow Brunch) – category Kyu-Kenshi.

The Seminar and Russian Embukai have been included into the program of events that celebrates cross-cultural Year of cooperation between Russia and Japan and became part of the 19th Festival «Japanese Spring in Saint-Petersburg» organized by Japanese embassy. For the award ceremony Russian Embukai has been delighted to welcome the general consul of Japan in Saint-Petersburg – Mr. Yasumasa Iijima. 

For russian Kenshis and Senseis it was, as always, a remarkable experience that boost their motivation and confidence to deepen their knowledge in Shorinji Kempo, to connect more with like-minded people from all over the world, to contribute for the spreading of Kaiso’s teaching in their hometowns and for general development of Shorinji Kempo in Russia.  Russian Kenshis and Senseis are extremely grateful to international guests for their support and master-classes and hope to engage with more techniques and practices next year! 

     

 

 

We plan to hold WSKO Hombu Training Camp as detailed below. We look forward to seeing many of you at this event.
We sent detailed information to branch masters on December 20, 2018.
If you have any questions, please ask the WSKO Secretariat trough your branch master.

Event Information
1. Date: March 26th (Thu.), 27th (Fri.), and 28th (Sat.), 2020
Note 1: Dan Grading / Special Dan Grading Examinations are scheduled on March 25th (Wed.); however, they may be rescheduled to be held during the program of the training camp in case the number of applicants is small.
Note 2: There will be an optional training session for questions and answers on March 29th (Sun).

2. Site: Headquarters of the World Shorinji Kempo Organization
3-1 Hondori, Tadotsu-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa-ken, 764-8511 Japan

3. Contents: (1) Lectures – Lecture by President Yuuki So
– Lecture by Secretary-General
– Lecture on the Intellectual Property of Shorinji Kempo
– Hokai Seminar (optional)
(2) Techniques – Techniques (Kihon and Hokei) by all participants and in rank groups
(3) Friendship Party
(4) Others 1) Branch Master Qualification Certification Seminar (for members from countries without a national federation, free of charge)
2) Dan Examination (3rd Dan, for members without national federation)
3) Special Dan Examination
Note: If you / your member wish(s) to take an examination of the above Items 2) and 3), please ask the WSKO Secretariat for possibility. We will announce the closing date for application on a later day.

4. Eligibility: WSKO members with rank of 1st kyu or above and age 16 or older.
Note: If there is any kenshi who are 2nd kyu or lower, please ask the WSKO Secretariat for advice.

5. Languages: Events will basically be conducted in Japanese and English. If you think it difficult to attend the event spoken in Japanese and English, you are requested to bring a kenshi who will help you with translation.

6. Lectures and Instructors: President Yuuki So, Secretary-General Kazuhiro Kawashima, and WSKO Instructors

7. Attendance Record:
(1) If you attend the Hokai Seminar during this Training Camp:
Your attendance will be recorded as one UNITY Study Session attendance.
(2) If you do not attend the Hokai Seminar during this Training Camp:
Your attendance will be recorded as one WSKO Study Session attendance.

8. Other: How to apply and closing date for the event, as well as the closing date for exam applications, will be announced at our next correspondence to branch masters.