ABOUT US

Japanese Dutch Shinzen Foundation Shinto is an ancient tradition to live in harmony with nature. This tradition was existent in all ancient civilisations and has perished with them. However, it is still fully alive in Japan, the second economy in the world. The core of shinto is the sense of nature as a living source of energy, nourishing body, mind and spirit. It is as relevant to an urbanised society, as it is to a traditional rural community. In shinto the ancient and modern, reason and intuition, come together. Shinto was introduced to Europe more than 40 years ago by Drs Paul de Leeuw, Guji of Holland Saigu. In 1981 he finished his study at the Yamakage Shinto School in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka-ken Japan and he became the first non-Japanese person to receive the license to perform traditional ceremonies and to become instructor of shinto-exercises. In 1981 Paul de Leeuw has founded the Japanese Dutch Shinzen Foundation. In 1989 the Foundation acquired its own location in the Amsterdam Vierwindenhuis. With great help of friends the shinto shrine and dojo had been realized here. It is visited by people from all over Europe and from here we travel all over Europe to make a shinto ceremony. Board of the Japanese Dutch Shinzen Foundation: Prof Dr Rien T. Segers, chair Drs Madeleine Wardenaar, vice chair Mr Derk Domela Nieuwenhuis, secretary Drs Aad Nienhuis, treasurer Prof Dr Willem van Gulik Mrs. Fumiko Inoue