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Mr. Anthony Maxwell, at the World Taikai Celebration Party, Tokyo, October 2023

He is the sensei of the young kenshi who won the travel ticket for the next World Taikai at the party of the International Study Session. Many would recall him as ‘the sensei from that time!’ Sadly, he passed away on December 8, 2023. We deeply regretfully inform everyone of this and pray for his peaceful rest.

[Chronology]

On October 13th (Friday), after the International Study Session concluded, he moved from Takamatsu Airport to Narita Airport to prepare for his departure the next day. That evening, he collapsed in his hotel room and was urgently transported for emergency surgery (acute myocardial infarction, catheter procedure). Despite narrowly surviving, he spent about three weeks in the ICU and was permitted by doctors to return to India. Subsequently, his health fluctuated; already diabetic, he developed acute renal failure due to the effects of the acute myocardial infarction, leading to bacterial infection, ultimately passing away on December 8th (Indian local time). In Japan, the institution responsible for his reception, surgery, and treatment was the “Narita Red Cross Hospital” (Narita City, Chiba Prefecture). According to the attending physician, after being transported in an emergency, he briefly regained consciousness and adamantly refused surgery due to reasons such as being on the brink of departure the next day and being unable to afford the costs of the surgery. However, despite his resistance, the doctors persistently and tactfully persuaded him by stating that without surgery, his body wouldn’t withstand the flight and that his life was in jeopardy. He eventually consented to the surgery. On the day before his discharge (November 6th), I visited the hospital and confirmed that the treatment and hospitalization cost approximately 9 million yen (nearly US$65,000-). As his students in India had already collected and paid several hundred thousand yen to the hospital, he received clearance for discharge, and I bid him farewell at Narita Airport on 7th, the following day.

[Purpose of the Donation]

I believe many of you may have encountered difficult or sorrowful events in your lives. However, Branch Master Maxwell brought numerous Indian kenshi to participate in the World Taikai and the International Study Session, the most crucial events of the WSKO, amidst global inflation and economic disparities. Overlooking the unpaid fees owed to Narita Red Cross Hospital, which compassionately treated and saved his life, would contradict the moral values of WSKO. Therefore, we’ve decided to request donations from everyone.

The collected funds will be entirely donated to Narita Red Cross Hospital to partly cover the outstanding medical expenses of the late Branch Master Anthony Maxwell.

– Donations are on a voluntary basis.

– For individuals, a donation of ¥3,000 to ¥5,000 (equivalent to approx. US$30 to US$45) would be appreciated, and for groups (federations/branches), a contribution equivalent to ¥200 to ¥300 (approx. US$2 to US$3) per active kenshi is kindly requested. Your assistance, within your means, is appreciated.

– Some experienced travelers may have questions about his international travel insurance. He decided not to get insurance, judging that he was “healthy and on a short trip.” We cannot help but deem this decision as reckless when it comes to traveling overseas. WSKO learned about this after the surgery, and it will serve as a lesson for future acceptance procedures.

– Madras Branch is the only Shorinji Kempo branch in India.

Inquiries: WSKO Secretariat at wskohq@shorinjikempo.or.jp

 

January 2023

Shoji Arai, Secretary-General, World Shorinji Kempo Organization

 Heartfelt Thanks to Our Donors:

Listed in Order of Donations Received (titles are omitted. Display of donors by bank will take a few days)

 

Kouma So, Japan

Yuuki So, Japan

Shoji Arai, Japan

Hiromu Inoue, Japan

Hidemi Uebayashi, Japan

Hiroko Tomiie, Japan

Yoko Yamanokuchi, Japan

Alexander Miller, U.K.

Ichiro Aoki, Phillipines

Beni Sukawanto, Indonesia

Gofy Handikawati, Indonesia

Dede Everett, Indonesia

Hiroshi Kinugawa, Japan

Daijiro Jito, Hong Kong

Yoshifumi Matsumoto, Japan

Angel Diego Pacheco Reyes, Spain

Stephen Young, New Zealand

Vancouver Pacific Branch, Canada

Donostia Branch, Spain

Akira Matsuda, U.S.A.

Timothy Wright, U.S.A.

Manas Branch, Kyrgyztan

Douglas Beard, Germany

Orange County Branch, U.S.A.

Yukihiro Kawada, Japan

Tomomi Miyamoto, Japan

Akihiko Morinaga, Myanmer 

Hong Kong Dojo, Hong Kong

Jonathan Tak Shing Lai, Hong Kong

Keski-Suomi Branch, Finland

Paul Browne, U.K.

Masaharu Kousaka, Japan

Tokyo Otsuka Doin, Japan

Masao Hama, Japan

Kiyohiro Nakamura, Japan

Toronto Branch, Canada

Jeffrey Christopher Cruz, U.S.A.

Seattle Branch, U.S.A.

Portland Branch, U.S.A.

Christopher Page, U.K.

Clovis Tondo, Tanya Culp, and VanAnh Nguyen, U.S.A.

Gary Dolce, U.S.A.

Calvin Lo, U.K.

Wimbledon Branch, U.K.

Minesh Patel, U.K.

Massimiliano Gaffuri, Italy

I Wayan Utama, Indonesia

Yoko and Tsutomu Tanaka with Silicon Valley Branch, U.S.A.

Mariehamn Branch, Finland

Teo Soderlund with family, Sweden

United States Shorinji Kempo Federation

Koji Ota, Japan

Takashi Fujikawa, Japan

Amsterdam Zuid Branch, Netherlands

Michael Burger, U.K.

Monterey Branch (Kazuki Arita), U.S.A.

Katsuya Hirayama, U.S.A.

Alexander Kramar, Russia

Mitsuru Sakashita, Japan

Kenji Fukuie, Japan

Alex Huang & Fumiko Kawaguchi, Hong Kong

Kazuhiko Ayabe and Kawasaki Inada Doin, Japan

Jyvakyla Branch, Finland

Toshiyuki Hisamura, U.S.A.

Yasunari Tanaka, U.S.A.

Lise Townsend, Canada

Peninsula Branch, U.S.A.

Joaquim Pereira da Silva, Portugal

Swedish Shorinji Kempo Federation

Indra Wibisono, Qatar

Juan Luis Escot Romero, Spain

Sevilla-Linde, Sevilla-Giralda and Cádiz Branches, Spain

Brazilian Shorinji Kempo Federation

Tesuyasu Uekuma, Michael French, Fusako Shiotani, Natsuko Yamashita, U.S.A.

Satoshi Tani, Japan

Tadotsu Junior High School Shorinji Kempo Club, Japan

Narimasa Suzuka, Japan

Hiroyuki Nakai, Japan

Kyohei Hosoe, Malaysia

Yoshito Mizokawa, Japan

Mizokawa Taizi, Japan

Hämeenlinna Branch, Finland

Blenheim Branch, New Zealand

Duncan Binnie, New Zealand

Montreal Branch, Canada

Santiago Branch, Chile

Kari ja Veijo, Vihtavuoren Branch, Finland

Vancouver Branch, BC Tozenji Branch, and Creekside Branch, Canada

Dionisio Romero Díaz, Spain

Mt. Diablo Branch, U.S.A.

Amsterdam-USC Branch and Jaap Stahlie, Netherlands

Oeiras Branch, Portugal

Farroupilha Branch /Nanzan Dojo, Brazil

Naoki Kuneshita, Japan

Anders Pettersson, Sweden

Tony Tan, Canada

Amsterdam West Branch, Netherlands

Salvaterra de Magos Branch, Foros de Salvaterra Branch, Portugal

Jussi Korhonen, Finland

Ketut Ariadi Kusuma, Viet Nam

Wawel and Kraków Branches, Poland

German Shorinji Kempo Federation

Mariel Cambe, U.S.A.

Meyer Pesenson, U.S.A.

Jun Nakagawa, Japan

Atsushi Fujiwara, Japan

Kazuhito Morikawa, Japan

Tsuyoshi Takeuchi, Japan

Koji Asamoto (Aichi Kanie Doin), Japan

Koji Asamoto (Nishinomiya Hamawaki Sports Youth Club), Japan

Nishinomiya Hamawaki Sports Youth Club, Japan

Dar-Es-Salaam City Branch, Tanzania

Brazilian Shorinji Kempo Federation (2nd time)

Downtown Porto Alegre Branch, Brazil

Amsterdam Jordaan Branch, Netherlands

Swiss Shorinji Kempo Federation

Milano Sud Branch, Italy

Helsinki Branch, Finland

Juha Holkkola, Helsinki

Francisco Melo, Portugal

Toshio Tajika, Japan

Masahiko Fujita, Japan

Shimane Unnan Doin, Japan

Nobutaka Mukaida, Japan

Kosuke Nakai, Japan

Ogaki Doin, Japan

Madras Branch, India

Japanese Shorinji Kempo Federation

Portuguese Shorinji Kempo Federation

Carlos Ramires, Portugal

Melbourne City Branch, Australia

Darren Loiue, New Zealand

Karim Hamza, U.S.A.

Chikara Shimura, Japan

Indonesia Shorinji Kempo Federation (PERKEMI)

Hiroshi Onaka, Japan

World Shorinji Kempo Organization

Hajime Yahara, Japan

Total Donations Received: JPY 3,015,709-

We made a donation of full amount raised to Narita Red Cross Hospital on February 27, 2024, Thank you very much for your kind support.

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.

    

 

 

       

 

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)


From 8th to 11th November 2018, the following activities are celebrated by the Spanish Shorinji Kempo Federation (FESK) in collaboration with the SHORINJI KEMPO UNITY.
1) On 8th November 2018, Special Examination Seikenshi 4th Dan
2) On 9th November 2018, Examiner & Judge Qualification Seminar
3) From 9th to 11th November 2018, Spanish Federation SHORINJI KEMPO UNITY Study Session.

 

 

Around 200 Kenshi from Spain, as well as Portugal, France, Holland, Italy and the United Kingdom attended the Study Session instructed by invited instructors; Hiromichi Yamasaki Sensei from Japan and Hiroshi Aosaka Sensei from France.

The activities were carried out successfully and participants expressed their satisfaction while they could have an opportunity to spend valuable time together and become a bridge.

The Honorary Consul of Japan in Seville, Mr. José Japón Sevilla (descendant of the Keicho embassy, Hasekura Tsunenaga) honored us with his presence at various moments.

The activities were echoed by the media in the city of Seville:

https://sevilla.abc.es/sevilla/sevi-sevilla-celebra-cuarenta-aniversario-llegada-shorinji-kempo-201811100809_noticia.html

 

 

Brazilian Federation SHORINJI KEMPO UNITY Study Session 2018 was held in CETE, Porto Alegre of Brazil, for three days from October 12th to October 14th, 2018. About 90 kenshi from across the country of Brazil gathered together to learn more about Shorinji Kempo.

In the afternoon of the same day, the Study Session started. All the participants enjoyed learning, practicing and sweating together. Instructor Hirayama taught the participants that technical practice is to be enjoyed; true to his principle, Instructor Hirayama enjoyed the training himself, while involving all the participants in the fun of his leadership. Instructor Umeno taught that precision and speed are the important factors for connecting each movement, a lesson that must be kept in mind to improve skills.

As Hokai Seminar, two lectures were given by Instructor Umeno on the theme “How to live a life having faith in Dharma.”

The Goho un’yoho on the last day showed the participants how it is conducted in Japan, and they learned that, while the practice decides the winner of the pair, the respect to each other and improvement of techniques must always be the true reason of this type of practice.

The Study Session made almost all Brazilian branches strengthen their ties.

With the help of a large number of branch masters and kenshis the event was a success and showed that Shorinji Kempo is not only inside the dojo, but in our lives.

The Study Session made almost all Brazilian branches strengthen their ties.

With the help of a large number of branch masters and kenshis the event was a success and showed that Shorinji Kempo is not only inside the dojo, but in our lives.

 Kesshu.

 Daniel Osowski, Brazilian Federation

 

 

 

 

In July 2018, Ukrainian Federation SHORINJI KEMPO UNITY Study Session was held in Odessa of Ukraine, with Instructor Kazuhiro Kawashima (WSKO Secretary-General), and Instructor Mitsuru Sakashita (Manager of Religious Affairs Department, Kongo Zen Sohonzan Shorinji).

Study Session was held from 6th to 8th of July, participated by instructors and kenshi from 10 different countries; Japan, Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Poland, Sweden, Finland, Germany, Italy, and Great Britain.

On the day before the study session were held 4th Dan Special Examination and Branch Master Qualification Certification Seminar for those who wish to open a branch.

During the unforgettable 3 days, kenshi from different countries met and made friends while practicing together, becoming the bridges between the countries.

The atmosphere of the session was constructive; participated kensi could get answers to their interesting questions about philosophy and techniques from the highly respected Shorinji Kempo Instructors such as Kawashima Sensei and Sakashita Sensei.

Two Hokai Lectures were given during the UNITY Study Session. Hokai Lecture participants learn Kongo Zen philosophy, and it aims for WSKO kenshi who do not belong Doin of Kongo Zen Sohonzan Shorinji. Instructor Sakashita (Kongo Zen Sohonzan Shorinji Religious Affairs Department Manager) explained Kongo Zen and Dharma.

At the end of the session, a solemn presentation of certificates was held. Training certificates were given to all the participants, and Dan certificates were presented to those who passed the 4th Dan examination. A lot of positive emotions were shared, motivating each participant to continue self-improvement and contribute to development of Shorinji Kempo in respective countries.

Contributor: Oleg Krotenko, President, Ukrainian Shorinji Kempo Federation

 

 

 

April 18, 2018

Southeast Asia Region WSKO Study Session

Southeast Asia Region WSKO Study Session was held on February 2nd (Fri.) and 3rd (Sat.), 2018 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Venue (Cambodia Branch)

WSKO instructors Mr. Kazuhiro Kawashima (WSKO Secretary-General), Mr. Masanori Nagata, Mr. David Wang, Mr. Shoji Arai were dispatched to the Study Session. The participants came from 8 countries. We never had kenshi from such many countries attend study sessions that had been held in Southeast Asia. (Participating countries: Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, The Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia, Singapore, Japan) span>

On the previous day of the Study Session, Feb. 1 (Thur.), dan examination (from 1st to 3rd dan) and special dan examination (4th dan) were held and 19 members took the examinations.

Introducing instructors (WSKO Instructor David Wang, First day of the Study Session)

The Examiner / Judge Study Session was given by Instructor Arai on the same day, and the qualification of participants was given or renewed for the term that starts in FY 2018.

On the first day of the study session, Feb. 2 (Fri.), a supporter of the Cam-bodia Branch Mr. Okhna Sok Pheng gave the opening address. Mr. Sok Pheng has been a great help for the promotion of Shorinji Kempo in Cambodia. 

Instructor Arai gave the basic training after the opening ceremony, and with instructors Kawashima, Nagata, David Wang, technical instructions were given in each rank. The participants were very eager and they asked questions to instructors whenever they were in the Dojo, even during breaks.

 

Chinkon gyo (Shuza: Malaysian Federation President Peter Chung / Second day of the Study Session)

Instructor Kawashima gave a lecture on WSKO business policy and gen-eral situation, then WSKO staff Mr. Kato gave a lecture on intellectual property and Branch Master Qualification Certification Seminar.

Each instructor gave technical instructions on the second day of the study session and then instructor Arai gave a lecture on the teaching of Shorinji Kempo.
The success of all 19 examinees was announced at the closing ceremony and the certificates were given to them from instructor Kawashima.

 

Technical instruction by Secretary-General Kawashima

 

 

Technical instruction and lecture on “The teaching of Shorinji Kempo” by instructor Arai

At the closing of the study session, we felt and shared the joy when in-structor Kawashima addressed that the number of the participating coun-tries of this study session was the greatest amount comparing to the num-ber of participating countries of the study sessions that had been held in Southeast Asia.

Commemorative photo of the participants

Social gathering after the Study Session

In the evening of that day, all the participants enjoyed the food, songs and the dances that had been provided and performed at the social gathering, and made good friends with each other. In the next morning, we had a discussion period (free practice) which was only for who wanted to participate, however, the most of the participants including adult and children kenshi of Cambodia Branch attended, and it ended successfully.

We would like to express our gratitude to the Cambodia Branch, its Branch Master Lach Chan Sovan and kenshi, Branch Master’s family and the persons concerned for the great help in preparing for this study session. I hope that this study session became the foundation in promoting Shorinji Kempo in the Southeast Asia.

 

 

 

Shorinji Kempo 70th Anniversary Event

2017 Shorinji Kempo World Taikai in California, USA

2017 Shorinji Kempo International Study Session

On July 30, 2017, Shorinji Kempo World Taikai, which takes place once in every four years, was held in California. Fellow members of Shorinji Kempo from 22 countries gathered together for this occasion.

 

The theme of the World Taikai was “Be the Bridge Make the World Better, One Person at a Time.” From the last World Taikai in Osaka in 2013, it traveled the borders, crossed the ocean, and met again in California. We acquainted, helped each other in training, established bonds, and became a bridge to the world and to the future.

 

July 28, 2017 WSKO General Meeting

Previous to the World Taikai, Shorinji Kempo World Organization General Meeting was held in San Francisco, and representatives from 22 countries attended to discuss WSKO projects for the coming years. At the World Taikai venue, volunteers from the US Federation worked hard to set up the site.

 

July 29, 2017 Special Dan Grading Examination & Preliminary Round for America

A special dan grading examination was held for WSKO members who are not of the Japanese Federation. 55 candidates for 3rd to 7th dan with permission to take their examinations gathered from the morning, and they took the written, physical, and oral tests. The preliminary round for the US Federation also took place, and those who qualified participated in the World Taikai as representatives of America. At the same time of the preliminary round, participants for the World Taikai had a chance to practice at the venue. The participants for the World Taikai on the next day gathered together, and there were many smiles of joy for reuniting over national borders.

 

July 30, 2017 2017 Shorinji Kempo World Taikai in California, USA

The Shorinji Kempo World Taikai was held in San Mateo, CA. This event was at the San Mateo County Event Center, and it is located on the north end of Silicon Valley by the San Francisco bay, where people enjoy its blue sky in this time of the year.

 

We had honorary guests such as Mr. Jun Yamada, Consul General of Japan in San Francisco, and about 1,500 people from 22 countries gathered together after four years from the last World Taikai in Osaka in 2013.

 

We had great embu of each national representative in the competition and exhibition divisions, and we also enjoyed seeing unique exhibitions in the disabled, elderly, group, international group (kenshi from different national federations), and essay divisions.

 

As an attraction during the World Taikai, a taiko performance was presented by San Francisco Taiko Dojo supervised by Mr. Seiichi Tanaka, a former member of Chiba Shoka University Shorinji Kempo Club.

 

When the taiko performance completed, people complemented it by saying “excellent!” and “very nice!”, Shorinji Kempo’s unique and heartwarming culture of respecting and accepting each other.

 

We also had some presentations of awards. For awarding 20 years of federation service, the Swedish Federation (2014), the Italian Federation (2015), and the Portuguese Federation (2017) received their recognitions. Mr. Indra Kartasasmita and Mr. Hiroshi Aosaka, both WSKO Directors, received the 70th anniversary distinguished service award, and at last, Mr. Katsuya Hirayama, President of the Americna Federation, received a letter of appreciation from Yuuki So, WSKO President, for organizing and supervising the World Taikai.

 

During the closing ceremony, the hosting country of the next World Taikai was announced, and Japan will host the World Taikai in 2021. The World Shorinji Kempo Organization Flag was returned from Mr. Hirayama, Executive Committee Chair, to Yuuki So, WSKO President, and then it was passed to Mr. Kazuhiro Kawashima, President of the Japanese Federation.

 

 

 

Celebration

After the World Taikai, the US Federation hosted a celebratory event at Hyatt Regency San Francisco. Tom Torlakson from the State Ministry of Education attended the celebration and had conversations with Yuuki So, WSKO President. He presented Shorinji Kempo a title of “Champion of Peace.” A local chorus group “Kakehashi” performed beautiful music numbers, and the Cheerleaders of Oakland Raiders excited the participants.

 

 

 

July 31 – August 2, 2017   2017 Shorinji Kempo International Study Session

The day after of the World Taikai and celebration, 2017 Shorinji Kempo International Study Session was held for three days, and over 500 kenshi from 22 countries participated. It became a great opportunity for every kenshi to deepen understanding of both Shorinji Kempo teachings and techniques, and it was also a chance for them to cultivate and cherish friendship over the borders.

In her lecture on the theme of “Be the Bridge Make the World Better, One Person at a Time,” Yuuki So, WSKO President, focused on the world situation, particularly in Asia. She quoted the words of Kaiso, “No peace in Asia without a relationship of friendship between Japan and China, no peace in the world without peace in Asia” and emphasized that this is not limited to the relationship between Japan and China, but it applies to all the relationships in the world: between neighboring countries at the national level and neighboring houses at the community level. In order to realize a peaceful world without war, we place “human development” as our core purpose. It is the foundation of Kaiso’s thinking about the world, and we will continue pursuing his vision.

After the lecture, the participants were divided into groups of 10, and they shared and discussed their opinions while respecting each other’s thoughts and ideas. At the end of the group discussion activity, one female kenshi from Italy and another young kenshi from America had presentations on “what can we do in our daily lives to realize peace”, and “how Shorinji Kempo helps them in their daily lives.” During the technical practice under the instructions by WSKO instructors, kenshi from all over the world, both old and new friends, trained together, had enjoyable times, and deepened their relationships.

 

On the evening of the second day, a BBQ style social gathering outside the study session site. The US Federation prepared a quiz for the participating countries and a competition on drawing portraits of Kaiso. The Indonesian Federation also presented their tradition dance, to which participants from other countries joined, and we all had a wonderful time together.

 

 

 

 

At the closing ceremony, Shorinji Kempo Shike granted certificates to all those who passed their special dan grading examinations. In the closing remark, Mr. Hiroshi Aosaka, WSKO Director, invited all the participants to meet again in Japan in 2021. When all the events completed, all the participants were reluctant to part, and they all promised to meet again. It became a precious opportunity for all the participating kenshi to re-confirm the “One Unity World Wide – Shorinji Kempo.”