July 25-29, 2009
Shorinji Kempo Embu Exchange Gathering, Party, and International Study Session

Originally it was planned that "2009 Shorinji Kempo World Taikai in Bali, Indonesia" would be sponsored by WSKO and hosted by the Indonesian Shorinji Kempo Federation, on July 25th and 26th, 2009. However, after the terrorist bombings on July 17th in Jakarta, capital of Indonesia, WSKO decided to cancel the event in the last minute, giving the utmost priority to the safety and lives of the participants.

Mr. Timbul Thomas Lubis, President of the Indonesian Shorinji Kempo Federation

The Indonesian Federation had put in a lot of time and effort in the preparations for the World Taikai and they expressed their disappointment that the event was cancelled. However, they immediately shifted their work to changing the program and prepared for an alternative event for the people who visited Bali. The Indonesian Federation organized the Shorinji Kempo Embu Exchange Gathering on July 25th, the party on the 26th, and the International Study Session on the 28th and the 29th.









[Shorinji Kempo Embu Exchange Gathering]

With the cancellation of the World Taikai, the Indonesian Shorinji Kempo Federation changed the initial two-day schedule of the World Taikai and held the Embu Exchange Gathering on July 25th.

Among the visitors to Bali from 21 countries around the world, more than 280 kenshi from 16 countries showed their embu. The local Bali group of 45 young kenshi presented their group embu as well.





































































After the embu presentations, all the kenshi who did not show an embu also wore dogi and joined the practice led by WSKO instructors, exchanging friendship over country borders.




























The Indonesian Federation showed special consideration and tightened the security of the event site. The gathering was carried out in a very friendly atmosphere. However, outside the hall, police and security staff of kenshi were placed to prevent any terrorist attacks. Participants and visitors were given ID passes, and the security guards checked the pass and belongings when visitors entered the hall. the Indonesian Shorinji Kempo Federation organized security, showing great concern to secure the safety of visitors.



[Party]

At 6pm July 26th, a party was held at Inna Grand Bali Beach Hotel. It was organized by the Indonesian Shorinji Kempo Federation and attended by around 600 people.

On the stage of the party, Mr. Timbul Thomas Lubis, President of the Indonesian Federation, greeted the visitors. The President of the WSKO made a speech and awards were given to the pairs and group that showed excellent embu performance at the Embu Exchange Gathering on the day before. Then a group of kenshi from Nippon Taiiku Daigaku (Nippon Sport Science University) of Japan presented "Essassa", which is their university's traditional cheerleading performance.

Performance by the students of Nippon Sport Science University

WSKO announced special awards for distinguished services. The President of the WSKO awarded 8 people who had made distinguished contributions to the development of the Indonesian Shorinji Kempo Federation; Late Mr. General (Ret) Yoga Soegama, Mr. Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Mr. Indra Kartasasmita, Late Mr. Utin Sahraz, Mr. Sidharta Abujono Martoredjo, Late Mr. Affiar Wahab, Mr. Eddy Suryanto, and Mr. Kusumo Abujono Martoredjo. The Continued Service Award for national federations was given to the federations of Indonesia, France, Sweden, Italy, and Portugal.

Mr. Jorge Monteiro, President of the Portuguese Shorinji Kempo Federation

The Shorinji Kempo Unity presented the Shorinji Kempo Group Award. This award is given to individuals or groups to acknowledge their achievement in public information and promotion of Shorinji Kempo as a means of social education, and to acknowledge their contribution to increasing the value and trust of Shorinji Kempo in the society. This time, the award was presented to the Indonesian Federation and the Portuguese Federation. The Indonesian Federation led a program to help the recovery of Banda Aceh after the tsunami disaster, and to support the lives and mental care of the children. The Portuguese Federation, with the Salvaterra de Magos Branch as the main activity leader, actively implemented extracurricular activities for local children, gaining trust for Shorinji Kempo in the local society.














After the awards, "Barong Dance", a traditional Bali dance was presented on the stage. Then groups of participants from each country entered the stage to show performances and songs representing their home cultures. Lastly, all the participants learned the Indonesian dance called "poco poco" from the Indonesian kenshi and danced together into the night.
































[International Study Session]

The International Study Session was held at Lila Bhuana Sport Hall of Bali on July 28th and 29th, attended by around 300 kenshi from 19 countries. The teachers were WSKO Instructors from Japan, Indonesia, and France. Kenshi of all ages, from children to seniors in their seventies, from various countries worked together for two days.

Lectures were given in 3 groups both days. The common theme was "putting what you learned through Shorinji Kempo to good use in your daily lives". Each lecturer conveyed messages which they themselves had learned through their own experiences. The lecture by the President of the WSKO was given only to the Indonesian Federation members in Indonesian language on the first day, and to other participants on the second day in Japanese and English languages.































At the closing ceremony on the second day, Shorinji Kempo Shike presented grading certificates to the 37 new rank holders who took grading tests given on July 27th. Training certificates were also handed to the representatives of each country. On behalf of all the participants, Mr. Rodrigo Iuppen, Branch Master of the Assis Brasil Branch of Brazil, made a speech expressing his joy of traveling all the way to make new friends.





















































































































































[Charity Activity]

The donation to the Mangrove Information Center was implemented as initially planned. Contributions were made at the site of the Embu Exchange Gathering held at Lila Bhuana Sport Hall on July 25th, and also at the site of the party held at Inna Grand Bali Beach Hotel in the evening of July 26th. Collection of the contributions was organized by the Indonesian Federation. The President of the WSKO handed a donation certificate of 540 million Indonesia Rupiah to the representative of the Mangrove Information Center at the party. This donation will be used to set up and repair guide panels along the mangrove forest.

On July 29th, the President of the WSKO, accompanied by the Indonesian Federation officers, visited the Mangrove Information Center.

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