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chatGPT :: please describe the history and current situation of shorinji kempo in Amsterdam
To understand Shorinji Kempo in Amsterdam, it helps to separate two stories: the international history of the art itself and the development of the Amsterdam branch.
Origins of Shorinji Kempo
Origins of Shorinji Kempo
Shorinji Kempo was founded in 1947 in the Japanese town of Tadotsu by Doshin So. It was created in the difficult aftermath of World War II, combining self-defence training with an educational and philosophical program intended to develop confidence, responsibility, and mutual respect. Unlike combat sports, Shorinji Kempo has traditionally emphasized character development alongside physical technique.
The system combines:
Striking techniques (goho)
Throws, locks, and controls (juho)
Health and body-conditioning methods (seiho)
Ethical and philosophical study derived from Kongo Zen principles
The international governing body, the World Shorinji Kempo Organization (WSKO), was established in 1974, and the art subsequently spread throughout Europe, including the Netherlands.
How Shorinji Kempo Arrived in Amsterdam
How Shorinji Kempo Arrived in Amsterdam
According to historical information from the Amsterdam branch, Shorinji Kempo has been practiced in Amsterdam for more than 25 years. The Dutch branch was founded by Hiromi Tojo, a 4th-dan instructor who established the art in the city and built a stable community of practitioners.
By the 2010s, the Amsterdam organization had developed into:
A membership of roughly 35 practitioners
Around ten black belts
A notably international and multicultural membership
Participation in demonstrations and events beyond the Netherlands
This multicultural character fits Amsterdam particularly well; the branch itself has emphasized that members come from many different backgrounds while maintaining a strong social bond both inside and outside the dojo.
The Transition After 2019
The Transition After 2019
A significant milestone occurred in September 2019 when Hiromi Tojo retired from teaching. Rather than appointing a single successor, the Amsterdam organization reports that leadership was taken over collectively by a group of senior kenshi (practitioners). This appears to have allowed continuity while expanding training across multiple dojo locations in and around Amsterdam.
Current Situation in Amsterdam
Current Situation in Amsterdam
Today, Shorinji Kempo remains a relatively small but established martial art in Amsterdam. It is much less visible than arts such as kickboxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, or karate, but it maintains an active community. Evidence from local martial arts discussions suggests that multiple Shorinji Kempo training groups continue to operate in the Amsterdam area and attract a substantial number of adult practitioners rather than primarily children or teenagers.
The current Amsterdam scene can be characterized as:
Strengths
Strengths
Long institutional continuity
International membership
Strong emphasis on personal development and community
Broad curriculum including strikes, throws, locks, and paired practice
Generally welcoming environment for adult beginners
Challenges
Challenges
Like Shorinji Kempo globally, Amsterdam branches face some challenges:
Limited public visibility compared with combat sports
No major competitive circuit to attract athletes
Small practitioner base relative to judo, BJJ, boxing, or kickboxing
Ongoing debates in the martial arts community about the effectiveness of training methods that rely heavily on structured partner practice rather than extensive live sparring. These criticisms are common in online martial arts discussions.
Position Within Dutch Martial Arts
Position Within Dutch Martial Arts
In the Netherlands, where kickboxing and judo have exceptionally strong traditions, Shorinji Kempo occupies a niche position. People who remain involved are often attracted not only by self-defence techniques but also by the philosophy, community culture, and educational aspects of the art. This is consistent with how the Amsterdam branch presents itself and how Shorinji Kempo is described internationally.
In short, Shorinji Kempo in Amsterdam has evolved from a small branch founded by Hiromi Tojo into a mature community with decades of continuity. It remains a niche martial art, but one with a stable presence, experienced practitioners, and a reputation for combining martial training with personal development.
gemini :: please describe the history and current situation of shorinji kempo in Amsterdam
https://gemini.google.com/share/5d705ed8d8b4
Shorinji Kempo, a modern Japanese martial art focusing on self-defense, mental development, and Zen philosophy, has a unique and tightly knit history in Amsterdam.
History in Amsterdam
History in Amsterdam
Shorinji Kempo was introduced to the Netherlands in 1982 by Hiromi Tojo Sensei (a 4th-degree black belt / 4th Dan). Tojo Sensei, who originally trained under Uchiyama Sensei at the Soshigaia-doin in Tokyo, moved to Amsterdam and founded the original Amsterdam school. Under his guidance, the martial art grew over the next several decades into a small, dedicated, and highly multicultural community. Outside the dojo, Tojo Sensei also became well-known in the Netherlands as an actor and television co-host.
After nearly 40 years of teaching, Tojo Sensei retired in September 2019. Following his retirement, leadership was passed down to a generation of senior students (kenshi) who transitioned the original school into a collective of interconnected neighborhood dojos across the city.
Current Situation
Current Situation
Today, Shorinji Kempo in Amsterdam remains structured around small, community-driven associations affiliated with the World Shorinji Kempo Organization (WSKO). Rather than operating out of a single large commercial facility, classes are run in distinct local dojos:
Go Kempo Amsterdam
📍 Sports school
Closed· Opens 6:45 PM Tue
Go Kempo Amsterdam (formerly known as the Jordaan Branch): Located on Westerstraat, this branch is led by Paul King Sensei (4th Dan). It focuses heavily on paired practice (kumite shutai) and maintaining the traditional balance of mental clarity and physical self-defense.
Schedule: Practice takes place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Vibe: Welcoming to trial lessons, operating with a strong emphasis on mutual respect and cooperation.
Zelfverdediging Shorinji Kempo
📍 Sports school
Closed· Opens 7:00 PM Sun
Zelfverdediging Shorinji Kempo (Amsterdam West): Operating out of De Wittenstraat, this location focuses closely on personal instruction and teaching defense strategies using minimal physical force.
Schedule: Practice runs on Wednesday and Sunday evenings from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
Approach: Highly accessible community pricing, with special discount options tailored for specific municipal Stadspas holders.
(Note: The Amsterdam Zuid dojo, another historic branch in the city, is currently temporarily closed as its head instructor is training abroad in Japan.)
Are you interested in attending a trial class at one of these locations, or would you like to know more about the training curriculum?
Amsterdam, Netherlands • Update location
beste allemaal
in reactie op de notulen, waarin mijn naam wordt niet genoemd, hoewel ik me in twee eerdere emails impliciet heb afgemeld, het volgende. De notulen doorlezend trof ik de volgende zin aan in paragraaf 5, die voornsmelijk het ongenoegen over de jordaan dojo betrof:
>> Voorheen waren regels niet zo duidelijk vastgelegd, maar nu dat wel zo is blijkt dat niet iedereen zich eraan kan houden en daarop wijzen lijdt tot onenigheid.
Zonder in een Freudiaanse interpretie van hoe in taal onderliggende motieven en gevoelens tot uitdrukking komen in te gaan, wil ik toch wijzen op een interessante spelfout, namelijkt de spelling van het woord lijdt, die middels een AI consult onder wordt uitgelegd.
Mijn bedoeling met deze email, die je kunt zien als een oefening in ironie, om irritatie om te zetten in humor, is op te roepen tot open communicatie, en begrip voor elkaar, zonder al te rigide een beroep te doen op regels en formaliteiten.
Ik ga er vanuit dat dit geen verdere toelichting behoeft, en sluit af met de oprechte wens: ganbatte kudasai!
(Anton)
PS: Gemini AI: Dutch Words: Lijden vs. Leiden
PS: Gemini AI: Dutch Words: Lijden vs. Leiden
https://gemini.google.com/share/9c498e2dfcf0
Created with 3.1 Flash-Lite June 17, 2026 at 05:10 PMPublished June 17, 2026 at 05:10 PM
What is the difference between the Dutch words lijden and leiden
The difference between lijden and leiden is that lijden means "to suffer," while leiden means "to lead" or "to guide."
While they sound exactly the same (they are homophones), their meanings and usages are completely distinct:
Lijden (with 'ij'): Refers to experiencing pain, hardship, or distress.
Example: "Hij moest erg lijden onder de hitte" (He suffered greatly from the heat).
Leiden (with 'ei'): Refers to leadership, direction, or guiding something or someone. It is also the name of a famous Dutch city (Leiden).
Example: "Zij gaat het nieuwe project leiden" (She is going to lead the new project).
Gemini may display inaccurate info, including about people, so double-check its responses.
Adna Ghilazghi
a.ghilazghi@het4e.nl
beste Adna / geachte heer Ghilazghi
Wij hebben elkaar ontmoet bij het driehoeksgesprek met Yvette.
Het zal u niet ontgaan zijn dat de resultaten van de afgelopen periode te wensen overlaten.
De tegenvallende resultaten hebben naar onze mening tevens een medische achtergrond, namelijk een autoimuunziekte (coeliaki), met zowel physieke als mentale gevolgen, chronische vermoeidheid en emotionele instabiliteit, vanwege bloedarmoede en een laag energy niveau (zie de bijgesloten verklaring van het OLVG). Deze ziekte vereist een strikt glutenvrij dieet.
In overleg met ons heeft Yvette heeft aangegeven dat een schoolwisseling wellicht wenselijk is, bv atheneum, met profiel C&M.
Gaarne hebben wij hierover uw advies, en met name een aanbeveling van scholen waarvan u denkt dat die geschikt zijn voor Yvette.
En wellicht is het wenselijk om hierover op korte termijn een gesprek te hebben.
Wij (Yvetteś moeder en ik) hopen op uw medewerking en zien uit naar uw antwoord.
met vriendelijke groet
Anton Eliens
Yiwen Wang
A. Eliens -- relatienummer: 1030659
https://www.ohra.nl/zorgverzekering/vergoeding/orthodontie
Bel met onze klantenservice
Heb je een vraag over je verzekering? Dan kun je ons bellen op 026 400 40 40.
Je betaalt lokaal tarief, plus de kosten voor het gebruik van je (mobiele) telefoon
Houd je relatienummer of rekeningnummer alvast bij de hand, dan kunnen we je sneller helpen
Some thoughts, which came to me today.
Why we all love the Handstand so much . Besides the physical benefits and the beauty of this exercise think of psychology.
We are literally lifting our arms above our heads. Caracteristic of this pose. Think of body language. When do we lift our hands above the head besides exercising ?
Winner poses are with hands up : When we are happily celebrating /dancing, we do it alot. At cheering , praying ( think of Surya Namaskar)
Now think of depression . Depressed people look really physically pressed down, rounded shoulders, rounded spine, low muscle tone. It is a rather passive state of mind /body.
In Handstand we do the opposite ! We are not pressed down, but we turn upside down and we are pressing.
We are pressing and are not pressed.
Of course you are doing similar things in many sports/exersise, Yoga,lifting weights, climbing , Gymnastics and so on But not as explicitely and in principle as in a handstand.
As we know , exercise is generally therapeutic for Depression, but maybe Handstands even more than other disciplines.
We are practicing Anti-depression in a literal sense..
Maybe in future science will also discover this , and i think Handstands are much more beneficial in this case than bicycling or rowing.
Clima Futura @ VU∗ – communicating (unconvenient) science Anton Eli¨ens, Marek van de Watering, Hugo Huurdeman, Winoe Bhikharie Intelligent Multimedia Group, VU University Amsterdam eliens@cs.vu.nl rvdwate@few.vu.nl hchuurde@few.vu.nl svbhikha@few.vu.nl
https://climafutura.nl/
Haroen Lemmers,
Pier Vellinga
Climate Centre, VU University, Amsterdam
lemh@geo.vu.nl
p.vellinga@falw.vu.nl
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warrior.eliens.net performance.eliens.net :: what.eliens.net do.eliens.net I know.eliens.net about skin.eliens.net therapy.eliens.net? ... don't ask.eliens.net me, ... whatever way.eliens.net I talk.eliens.net about it.eliens.net, these are just words.eliens.net, it.eliens.net is not magic.eliens.net, don't fall.eliens.net in a stupid.eliens.net trap.eliens.net, but listen.eliens.net to the expert.eliens.net, and wait.eliens.net -- please.eliens.net -- I only observe.eliens.net, no.eliens.net, I do not judge.eliens.net, face.eliens.net it.eliens.net, life.eliens.net is a game.eliens.net of chance.eliens.net, so go.eliens.net fpr it.eliens.net, and why.eliens.net not, indeed ... go.eliens.net kempo.eliens.net!
ritual.eliens.net ::: fighter.eliens.net experience.eliens.net -- attack.eliens.net force.eliens.net -- life.eliens.net is not a joke.eliens.net, stand-up for your right, face.eliens.net reality.eliens.net, and fight.eliens.net violence.eliens.net if needed, in practice.eliens.net, however, in my opinion.eliens.net, or vision.eliens.net, the key.eliens.net is to connect.eliens.net, whether you like.eliens.net it.eliens.net or not, develop the attitude.eliens.net, search.eliens.net your memory.eliens.net, observe.eliens.net, listen.eliens.net, smile.eliens.net, speak.eliens.net free.eliens.net, and take the challenge.eliens.net to join the party.eliens.net, take it as an adventure.eliens.net, including school.eliens.net, children.eliens.net, work.eliens.net, money.eliens.net, the modern.eliens.net context.eliens.net, and the stress.eliens.net of public.eliens.net city.eliens.net life.eliens.net,, use your voice.eliens.net and make some noise.eliens.net, sing.eliens.net your song.eliens.net and find.eliens.net the flame.eliens.net that allows you to play.eliens.net the game.eliens.net, to learn.eliens.net the skill.eliens.net to drop.eliens.net your rage.eliens.net, empty your (busy.eliens.net) mind.eliens.net, have a rest.eliens.net and some sleep.eliens.net, create.eliens.net a plan.eliens.net, a habit.eliens.net of motion.eliens.net, leave your cage.eliens.net, exit the cave.eliens.net, your favorite corner.eliens.net in the house.eliens.net, and travel.eliens.net, go.eliens.net outdoor.eliens.net, hit.eliens.net the road.eliens.net, look.eliens.net at the space.eliens.net, listen.eliens.net, scratch.eliens.net your face.eliens.net, take a walk.eliens.net, follow.eliens.net the crowd.eliens.net, and talk.eliens.net, experiment.eliens.net, scribble.eliens.net a word.eliens.net,, draw.eliens.net an image.eliens.net or write.eliens.net a poem.eliens.net, use paper.eliens.net or a tool.eliens.net, a pencil.eliens.net or a pen and a bit.eliens.net of zen.eliens.net to set your self.eliens.net the goal.eliens.net, at the level of your age.eliens.net, to train, do.eliens.net exercise.eliens.net, improve posture.eliens.net and balance.eliens.net, get some action.eliens.net, guard.eliens.net the pain.eliens.net, and gain.eliens.net the benefits for your brain.eliens.net, just think.eliens.net of any scenario.eliens.net that comes to mind.eliens.net, it is education.eliens.net for life.eliens.net, with as a reward.eliens.net a sense.eliens.net of self.eliens.net value.eliens.net, relax.eliens.net body.eliens.net and mind.eliens.net, the origin.eliens.net of your soul.eliens.net, monitor.eliens.net and count.eliens.net your points.eliens.net, but -- please.eliens.net -- my.eliens.net advice.eliens.net, if I make sense.eliens.net, keep control.eliens.net and act.eliens.net in a slow.eliens.net fashion.eliens.net, because if you ask.eliens.net me why.eliens.net, well, you know.eliens.net,, don't be smart.eliens.net, you must go.eliens.net with the flow.eliens.net, and, remember.eliens.net, in my.eliens.net.eliens.net opinion.eliens.net, twinkle.eliens.net, smile.eliens.net, indeed, why.eliens.net not... go.eliens.net kempo.eliens.net!
at first light, I see the face(s) of my friend(s) exploring the creative book(s)
write.eliens.net advice.eliens.net -- when does writing present an option to escape a life of boredom and annoyance, does anyone get happy writing, day by day, without purpose, jotting down words, just for the sake of being active with the mind, as a pretense to be creative and alive -- draw.eliens.net self.eliens.net -- career.eliens.net
The dark night gave me black eyes,
But I use them to seek the light.
Gu Cheng
[enter the http://bubble.eliens.net!]
... r(ecover) u(niverse) n(ow). in other words, run: away from the noise, the daily routine, the worry about http://money.eliens.net, and what we call in dutch the administratieve rompslomp, of course there is also noise, construction work, the cutting of trees and the barking dogs, but unfortunately you cannot forbid these, just build distance and tolerance by being http://outdoor.eliens.net, I should make that a http://habit.eliens.net, I http://think.eliens.net, if you know what I mean, if not get http://lost.eliens.net, or http://run.eliens.net, anyway it is good to have some http://exercise.eliens.net!
lacking a sixth sense, I only see the face(s) on my book(s)
enjoying the nihilism of travel, I start wondering whether it is the minimalism of art that I like most, or the art of minimalism...
in the fourth dimension, I create(d) a variety of book(s) for the identity of face(s)
update(s): from minus four tp forty degrees, from sea level to 4600 meters, through Thailand, Taiwan, China, Tibet area, Korea, now at south Thailand beach, on our way to Hong Kong, to celebrate new year, and possibly buy new (pen-enabled) gadgets, all in good health, especially our baby girl, who just became two years old, enjoying the nihilism of traveling ..
writing(s):: On the market. I like the offside, being on my own, aside of the group, being close, but not too close, within my control. I hear my name, but it is not meant for me. Remember, don't call me by my name. And, while writing this, my daughters are playing. A nice collection, or should I say a nice re-collection, while my wife is teaching, or, more likely, just finished, taking a break, before returning home to take up her domestic obligations. In the meantime, I hear my name being called, but I know it is not meant for me, but for the market sales man, who just tapped me on the shoulder, to get my attention for the girls, my daughters, who want to take a round on the market.
with the third child, I updated the face(s) on my book(s)
Understanding Deconstruction: Meaning, Language, and Truth
Understanding Deconstruction: Meaning, Language, and Truth
https://gemini.google.com/share/bbf5695f5d7f
Created with 3.1 Flash-Lite June 8, 2026 at 09:54 PMPublished June 8, 2026 at 10:02 PM
Explain the concept of deconstruction
Deconstruction is a philosophical and literary theory that challenges the idea that text, language, or any structure has a single, stable, and objective meaning.
Popularized by the French philosopher Jacques Derrida in the late 1960s, deconstruction isn't about "destroying" a text. Instead, it’s about looking under the hood of how language works to show that meanings are always shifting, unstable, and full of internal contradictions.
Here is a breakdown of how it works and why it matters.
1. Challenging "Binary Oppositions"
1. Challenging "Binary Oppositions"
Western philosophy and culture have a long history of organizing the world into pairs of opposites, where one side is traditionally valued over the other. For example:
Speech vs. Writing
Good vs. Evil
Reason vs. Emotion
Presence vs. Absence
A deconstructive reading shows that these pairs aren't actually separate or stable. Instead, the "superior" term completely relies on the "inferior" term to even exist. You can't define "good" without a concept of "evil." Deconstruction flips these hierarchies and blurs the lines between them to show they are interdependent.
2. Différance: Meaning is Always Deferred
2. Différance: Meaning is Always Deferred
Derrida coined the word différance (a deliberate misspelling in French) to combine two concepts: to differ and to defer.
When you look up a word in the dictionary, it just gives you other words. If you look up those words, they give you even more words. Because of this, deconstruction argues that:
Words don't have an absolute, anchored meaning.
A word's meaning is defined by how it differs from other words.
The final, definitive meaning of a text is always deferred (postponed) indefinitely.
In short: A text never fully "arrives" at a single, absolute truth.
3. How to Deconstruct a Text
3. How to Deconstruct a Text
When literary critics or philosophers deconstruct a text (like a novel, a political speech, or a legal document), they look for fissures, gaps, and contradictions. They ask questions like:
What is the text not saying?
What assumptions does the author take for granted?
How does the text accidentally undermine its own main argument?
For example, a story might explicitly try to preach a moral lesson about the virtues of peace, but use incredibly violent metaphors and language to get that point across. A deconstructive reading exposes this internal tension, proving that the text is working against itself.
Why It Matters
Why It Matters
Deconstruction changed the way we view literature, law, culture, and identity. It reminds us that language is a tool constructed by humans, packed with historical biases and hidden assumptions. By deconstructing the "truths" handed down to us, we can see that things we take for granted as "natural" or "absolute" are often just cultural constructs.
Is there a specific text, film, or concept you're thinking about trying to deconstruct?
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