By Roy Lie Atjam.
The Ambassador of Japan in the Netherlands H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Inomata, hosted a Ceremony of Conferment on 12th June 2018. The ceremony was in honour of Mr. Hans de Wekker, member of the board of the Kyudo Renmei Nederland. The ceremony took place at the Ambassador’s residence in The Hague.
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In delivering his address Ambassador Hiroshi Inomata, stated the following:
“Mr De Wekker received “the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays”
This decoration is conferred in the name of His Majesty the Emperor of Japan for Mr. De Wekker’s significant contribution to introducing Japanese culture and promoting understanding of Japan in the Netherlands through the martial art of kyūdō, Japanese archery.
I would like to share some of the many highlights in his career that have led to this celebratory moment. One of the persons who introduced kyūdō to the Netherlands was Mr. Simon van den Nieuwendijk, the founder of the Kyudo Renmei Nederland. He visited Japan and studied quite some martial arts. Back in the Netherlands he travelled across the country and in 1981, during one of his kyūdō demonstrations in Groningen, he crossed the path of Mr. De Wekker who was in his early thirties.
This was a moment that would change Mr. De Wekker’s life. In the years that followed Mr. De Wekker would completely devote himself to kyūdō, and he became a member of the Kyudo Renmei Nederland (KRN). Only a few years later, in 1984, he became a member of the board of the Kyudo Renmei Nederland (KRN) and soon he taught kyūdō to students himself.
Not only on a national level, but on an international level as well Mr. De Wekker has devoted himself to the advancement of kyūdō. In 1988 he became a member of the board of the European Kyūdō Federation, and together with his wife Mrs. Linda van der Kamp who is also a devoted kyūdō-ka, they saw the beginnings of the International Kyūdō Federation (IKYF) in 2006.
Also, in the same year Mr. De Wekker edited and translated the book Michi no Yumi, written by one of his sensei.
In the meantime, Mr. De Wekker had assumed his position as president of the Kyudo Renmei Nederland (KRN), which he would fulfil for about 26 years. A moment that should not be left unmentioned is the opening of the dōjō Engakuan in 2008.
I think Mr. De Wekker was quite lucky to be able to share his passion with his wife, because I do not think there are many couples that agree it is a good idea to build a dōjō in their backyard! I think it is truly a monument to both of your dedication and passion for kyūdō.
I met Mr. De Wekker in the summer of 2016 when he was finishing his last responsibilities as former president of the Kyudo Renmei Nederland (KRN). The occasion was the 10th anniversary of the International Kyudo Federation (IKTF) that was celebrated in the Netherlands and for which Her Royal Highness Princess Takamado was also present.
Her Royal Highness visited the Engakuan dōjō and she was quite impressed; the dōjō even features cameras in order for students to be able to review correct posture and form.
Mr. Hans De Wekker, for almost 40 years you have made invaluable efforts to advance and promote kyūdō in the Netherlands. The Government of Japan recognizes, and is deeply grateful for your tremendous contribution to promoting mutual understanding between Japan and the Netherlands by means of kyūdō.
Now the time has come to honour you, Mr. De Wekker, in the Name of His Majesty, the Emperor of Japan, with “the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays”. End of quote.
In his acceptance speech, Mr De Wekker expressed his sincere gratitude on receiving such a highly esteemed distinction. Very humbling. De Wekker concluded by remarking “the Dutch Japanese road to kyūdōis one adorned with flowers”
Speakers at the Ceremony of Conferment were: H.E. Mr. Hiroshi Inomata, Ambassador of Japan in the Netherlands, Mr. Hans de Wekker, Mrs. Linda van der Kamp and Ms. Malou Saat, who also proposed the toast.
A reception concluded the impressive Ceremony of Conferment.
