Shorinji Kempo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Shorinji Kempo
少林寺拳法

Also known as	• Nippon Shorinji Kempo • Shōrinji Kempō
Focus	Hybrid
Hardness	Both hard and soft
Country of origin	Japan
Creator	Doshin So
Famous practitioners	Yuki Kondo, Sonny Chiba, Etsuko Shiomi, Hiroyuki Sanada, Norio Wakamoto, Tak Sakaguchi, Kengo Ohkuchi, Keisuke Itagaki, Masaya Tokuhiro, Yoshisada Yonezuka, Shinobu Ichiyanagi, Kenneth Kimmins, Nao Nagasawa, Koji, Toma Kuroda
Parenthood	Shaolin kung fu, Uechi-ryū Karate, Hakko-ryu jujutsu, Fusen-ryū jūjutsu
Descendant arts	Byakuren Kaikan
Olympic sport	No
Official website	World Shorinji Kempo Organisation(WSKO) Shorinji Kempo Unity

Shorinji Kempo (少林寺拳法, Shōrin-ji Kenpō, meaning "Shaolin Temple Boxing") is a Japanese martial art. It is said to be a changed version of Shaolin kung fu. The name Shōrinji Kempo is the Japanese way to say Shàolínsì Quánfǎ.

It was started in 1947 by Doshin So (宗 道臣, Sō Dōshin). He was a Japanese martial artist and a former spy. He lived in China for many years before and during World War II.

Shorinji Kempo is a complete system. Its training has three main parts:

• Self-defence training
• Mental training
• Health training

The main ideas are that "spirit and body are not separate" (shinshin-ichinyo). Also, it's important to train "body and mind as one" (kenzen ichinyo).

Shorinji Kempo uses a clear training plan. It helps people become stronger versions of themselves. It also helps them feel good with others. The ideas and moves of Shorinji Kempo are in its main book, Shōrinji-Kempō-kyōhan.

What is Shorinji Kempo?

Shorinji Kempo is both a true budō (martial way) and a way to learn and grow. It is known for its mental training and its physical training places, called dōjō.

The founder, Doshin So, wanted to create a group that trained both mind and body. He also wanted to help the Japanese people. They felt very sad and lost after World War II. His goal was to help them find their way again and rebuild Japan.

It is said that he first tried to teach Buddhist philosophy. But people did not follow him. Later, So reportedly saw a vision of Bodhidharma. This vision made him want to teach martial arts, like Bodhidharma was believed to have done. Both of these became the main ways of training in Shorinji Kempo.

Shorinji Kempo has many self-defense moves. These are called hokei. For showing or competing, these moves are put together into a planned routine called an embu. An embu usually has 6 parts. Each part has gōhō (hard techniques) or jūhō (soft techniques).

In a pair embu, one person attacks and the other defends for one part. Then they switch roles for the next part. The way moves are done in an embu is called hien. This means "flying swallow" and shows how fast and smooth the moves are. Sometimes, an embu is done wearing a black robe called hōi. This happens at events like a taikai (convention or tournament).

Main Training Center

The main center for Shorinji Kempo is in Tadotsu town, Kagawa Prefecture, Japan. This is on Shikoku island.

The buildings there include:

• Hondo (main dojo or hall)
• Kodo (lecture hall)
• Rensei-dojo (the first dojo)
• Shokudo (dining room)
• Daigan-toh (memorial tower)
• Zenrin Gakuen (college house)

The bones and ashes of Doshin So are buried behind the lecture hall.

How Shorinji Kempo is Organized

The Shorinji Kempo group is split into five main parts:

• A religious part
• A foundation that manages things
• An educational part (Zenrin Gakuen College)
• A worldwide part (World Shorinji Kempo Organization, WSKO)
• A part that handles its name and ideas (Intellectual property)

These five parts work very closely together. This is because Shorinji Kempo combines religion, martial arts, and education in a special way.

Shorinji Kempo Around the World

Many countries have their own Shorinji Kempo groups. Some of these include:

• Japan
• Indonesia
• Malaysia
• Switzerland
• Finland
• Sweden
• Italy
• France
• Germany
• Spain
• Portugal
• Russia
• Ukraine
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Canada
• Brazil

Connection to Shaolin Temple

A mural painting in the Shaolin Monastery. Doshin So was greatly influenced by it.

The name "Shōrinji" comes from the Chinese "Shaolin Temple." This famous temple is in Henan Province, China. Dōshin Sō said he learned the Giwamon-ken (Yihe Mén Quán) system. This system was believed to be used during the Boxer rebellion around 1900.

Dōshin Sō said he was very impressed by paintings on the wall of the Byakue-den chapel at Shaolin Temple. He believed the way the monks practiced martial arts was very lively. He thought it was the start of the quan fa (Chinese martial arts) that existed in China.

Shorinji Kempo Emblem

The so-en emblem

The swastika, called manji in Japanese, was the first symbol for Shorinji Kempo. This symbol has been used for centuries in many cultures and religions around the world. The swastika can mean love (left-facing) and strength (right-facing). These ideas show the Kongo-zen teaching.

However, because the swastika is linked to Nazi symbolism, the World Shorinji Kempo Organization (WSKO) changed it. They replaced it with the Japanese character 拳 (ken), which means "fist." This character is now in the middle of the emblem.

In 2005, the Shorinji Kempo Group started using a new symbol for all international groups. This new symbol is called so-en (double circle). It looks like two swastikas twisted together. The so-en emblem is put on the training uniform (keikogi), belt (obi), and the hōi (black robe).

History of Shorinji Kempo

Doshin Sō, whose birth name was Michiomi Nakano, was born in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. He spent his younger years in northern China. First, he was with his grandfather. Later, he worked as a spy for the Japanese army during the war. His job was to gather military information.

As part of his cover, he worked as a student at a Taoist school. There, Nakano met Chen Liang, a Taoist priest and master of Báilián Mén Quán (White Lotus Fist). Later, Chen introduced Nakano to Wen Taizong, a master of Yihe Mén Quán (Righteous Harmony Fist). Wen taught Nakano at the Shaolin Temple in Henan. He also gave Nakano the title of grandmaster in that style of quan fa.

At the end of World War II, the Soviet Union attacked Japan. Many Japanese people, both soldiers and civilians, were left to die. Dōshin Sō saw this terrible event. He realized how important a person's character and quality are. He understood that people's actions shape politics, laws, and daily life.

After returning to Japan, Sō wanted to start a school for young people. He settled in the small town of Tadotsu, on Shikoku island. He began teaching Buddhist philosophy. He created Shorinji Kempo to combine the idea of ken-zen ichinyo (body and mind as one) by following Bodhidharma. He used the techniques he had learned in China.

This effort was called the Kongō-zen undō (Diamond-zen campaign). His students helped spread Shorinji Kempo across Japan. After Dōshin Sō passed away in 1980, his daughter Yūki Sō (宗 由貴, Sō Yūki) continued his work. After his death, Dōshin Sō is called "Kaiso," which means founder.

Important Dates

• 1947: The religious part of the organization was started.
• 1948: The Nippon Hokuha Shorinji Kempo Society was created.
• 1951: Kongō Zen Sōhonzan Shōrinji and Kōmanji kyōdan were established.
• 1956: The educational part, Nihon Shōrinji Bugei Senmon-gakkō, was started.
• 1957: The "All Japan Shorinji Kempo Federation" was formed.
• 1963: The "Shorinji Kempo Federation of Japan" became a formal group.
• 1972: The "International Shorinji Kempo Federation" (ISKF) was established.
• 1974: The "World Shorinji Kempo Organization" (WSKO) was created.
• 1980: Doshin So passed away.
• 1992: The "Shorinji Kempo Federation Foundation" was formed.
• 1997: 50th anniversary celebration.
• 2000: The Shorinji Kempo Group was organized.
• 2002: Busen (Shorinji Kempo Budo Academy) High School opened.
• 2003: Busen was renamed Zenrin Gakuen College.
• 2003: The new Shorinji Kempo logo (so-en) was designed.
• 2005: The 'so-en' emblem was officially adopted.
• 2007: 60th anniversary celebration.
• 2008: The All Japan Junior High School Shorinji Kempo Federation was formed.
• 2009: The Sekai-taikai (global convention) was held.
• 2012: Doshin So's 100th Birthday Memorial Taikai was held in Yokohama, Japan.
• 2013: Shorinji Kempo World Taikai 2013 was held in Osaka, Japan.
• 2017: Shorinji Kempo World Taikai was held in California, along with the 70th anniversary celebration.

Shorinji Kempo Philosophy

Shorinji Kempo is not just a traditional martial art or a sport. It is seen as a religious practice for its students. Buddhist teachings say that the spirit and body are connected.

By practicing Shorinji Kempo moves and learning its ideas, students aim to:

• Develop a strong body, like the powerful Vajradhara statues.
• Gain the never-give-up spirit of Bodhidharma.

Zen and Techniques

Bodhidharma (Daruma) - a key figure in Zen Buddhism.

Shorinji Kempo uses zen for mental training. Its techniques are mostly in three groups:

• Gōhō (剛法): These are "hard techniques." They include hand strikes, kicks, and blocks.
• Jūhō (柔法): These are "soft techniques." They include throws, pins, chokes, and joint locks.
• Seihō (整法): These are "healing techniques." They include acupressure, setting bones, and helping someone who has fainted.

Doshin So wrote in his book, "What is Shorinji Kempo?" He said he worked to develop the fighting style of Bodhidharma. This style is known as the Arakan no ken or the Arhat fist. He believed it started in India about 5,000 years ago. He was inspired by pictures of wall paintings at the Shaolin Temple in China.

People who practice Shorinji Kempo are called kenshi (拳士). This means 'boxers'. Kenshi always greet each other with gassho (合掌). This is a common greeting among Buddhist students. The gassho-rei is also a gassho-gamae stance. In this stance, both palms are put together and raised in front of one's face.

Ranks and Qualifications

To reach different levels of body and spiritual training, kenshi earn qualifications. These are called bukai (martial rank), hōkai (philosophical rank), and sōkai (priesthood rank).

Here are some examples of bukai and their matching hōkai:

• 1st dan (初段 sho-dan): This is the first black belt. It matches Jun-kenshi.
• 2nd dan (弐段 ni-dan): This matches Sho-kenshi.
• 3rd dan (参段 san-dan): This matches Chu-kenshi.
• 4th dan (四段 yon-dan): This matches Sei-kenshi.
• 5th dan (五段 go-dan): This matches Dai-kenshi.

For the first three black belt levels, exams are held at local Shorinji Kempo centers. But for 4th degree and higher, special exams are only held at the main headquarters in Tadotsu, Japan.

Outside Japan, 3rd degree practitioners (san-dan) are seen as teachers. In Japan, 4th degree practitioners (yon-dan) and above are teachers. Those with 5th degree (go-dan) and higher are officially called sensei (先生), which means teacher.

Arm emblems show a kenshi's group and rank.

• Category colors:
  •      Red: for doin kenshi (local training hall)
  •      Blue: for shibu kenshi (branch)
  •      Green: for Zenrin Gakuen College kenshi
  •      Purple: for WSKO kenshi (international)
• Title colors:
  •      Gold: for a master of a doin or shibu
  •      Silver: for a master of a doin or shibu with 4th dan or lower
  •      Red: for an assistant master with 3rd dan or higher

There is also a sokai (priesthood rank) in Kongo Zen Sohon-zan Shorinji. To get this, a 2nd dan or Sho-kenshi studies Kongo zen philosophy and writes a paper.

Training System

Shorinji Kempo training covers mind, body, and spirit.

Spiritual Training

• kiryoku (気力) - energy or willpower
• kisei (気勢) - spirit or vigor
• kiai (気合) - a powerful shout used in martial arts

Mental Training

• inyō (陰陽) - understanding opposites (like light and dark)
• kyojitsu (虚実) - knowing what is real and what is not
• tempō (天方) - understanding timing and rhythm
• chii (地位) - understanding your position
• chijutsu (知術) - knowing techniques
• chiryaku (知略) - using strategy

Physical Training

• Gō-hō (剛法) (”hard methods”): These are powerful attacking moves.
  • 8 Gō-hō techniques:
    • tsuki-waza (突技) - thrusting techniques (like punches)
    • uchi-waza (打技) - striking techniques (like open-hand strikes)
    • kiri-waza (切技) - cutting techniques (like chops)
    • keri-waza (蹴技) - kicking techniques
    • kari-waza (刈技) - reaping techniques (like sweeping legs)
    • fumi-waza (踏技) - stomping techniques
    • taigi (体技) - body techniques
    • bōgi (防技) - blocking techniques
  • 3 Gō-hō traditional weapons:
    • dokko-den (独鈷伝)
    • nyoi-den (如意伝)
    • kongō-den (金剛伝)

• Jū-hō (柔法 ”soft methods”): These are techniques to control an opponent.
  • 10 Jū-hō techniques:
    • gyaku-waza (逆技) - joint locking techniques
    • nage-waza (投技) - throwing techniques
    • katame-waza (固技) - pinning techniques
    • shime-waza (締技) - choking techniques
    • hogi (捕技) - catching techniques
    • ōatsugi (押圧技) - pressing techniques
    • nukite-hō (抜手法) - escaping hand techniques
    • nukimi-hō (抜身法) - escaping body techniques
    • shu-hō (守法) - guarding techniques
    • baku-hō (縛法) - binding techniques

• Sei-hō (整法 "healing methods"): These techniques help with injuries.
  • seikei (整経) - adjusting energy lines
  • seimyaku (整脉) - adjusting blood flow
  • seikotsu (整骨) - bone setting
  • kappō (活法) - resuscitation techniques

• Taigamae (体構え "stance"): These are different ways to stand.
  • Byakuren hachi-jin (白蓮八陣 "8 stances of Byakuren"):
    • gasshō-gamae (合掌構え) - prayer stance
    • manji-gamae (まんじ構え) - swastika stance
    • midare-gamae (乱れ構え) - disordered stance
    • hassō-gamae (八相構え) - eight-direction stance
    • taiki-gamae (待気構え) - waiting-energy stance
    • gyaku taiki-gamae (逆待気構え) - reverse waiting-energy stance
    • aiki-gamae (合気構え) - harmonizing-energy stance
    • byakuren chudan-gamae (白蓮中段構え) - white lotus middle stance

• • Giwa kyū-jin (義和九陣 "9 stances of Giwa"):
    • kesshu-gamae (結手構え) - joined-hands stance
    • ichiji-gamae (一字構え) - one-line stance
    • niō-gamae (仁王構え) - guardian-king stance
    • chūdan-gamae (中段構え) - middle-level stance
    • gedan-gamae (下段構え) - lower-level stance
    • gyaku gedan-gamae (逆下段構え) - reverse lower-level stance
    • fukko-gamae (伏虎構え) - crouching-tiger stance
    • tate musō-gamae (立無相構え) - standing no-form stance
    • yoko musō-gamae (横無相構え) - side no-form stance

• Fujin-hō (布陣法 "body positions"): How two people stand relative to each other.
  • seitai-gamae (正対構え) - both kenshi face each other in byakuren chudan-gamae
  • tai-gamae (対構え) - both kenshi take the same front stance (e.g., both left-front)
  • hiraki-gamae (開構え) - kenshi take opposite front stances (e.g., one left-front, one right-front)

• Umpo-hō (運歩法 "footwork"): Ways to move your feet.
  • fumikomi-ashi (踏込足) - stepping-in foot
  • maeyose-ashi (前寄足) - front-gathering foot
  • kumo-ashi (蜘蛛足) - spider foot
  • kani-ashi (蟹足) - crab foot
  • chidori-ashi (千鳥足) - plover (zigzag) foot
  • sashikomi-ashi (差込足) - inserting foot
  • sashikae-ashi (差替足) - replacing foot
  • tobikomi-ashi (跳込足) - jumping-in foot

• Tai-sabaki (体捌き "body movement"): Ways to move your whole body.
  • furi-mi (振身) - swinging body
  • sori-mi (反り身) - leaning back body
  • hiki-mi (引身) - pulling body
  • ryūsui (流水) - flowing water
  • han-tenshin (半転身) - half-turning body
  • gyaku-tenshin (逆転身) - reverse turning body
  • han-tenkan (半転換) - half-changing body
  • zen-tenkan (全転換) - full-changing body

• Ukemi (受身 "breakfalls"): Ways to fall safely.
  • mae-ukemi (前受身) - front breakfall
  • ushiro-ukemi (後受身) - back breakfall
  • ōten yori okiagari (横転より起き上がり) - getting up from a side roll (also called tombo-gaeri)
  • dai-sharin (大車輪) - big wheel (a type of roll)

Embu Performance

An Embu is a set of moves that combine hokei (planned patterns of hard and soft techniques). It usually has 6 parts. It is like a "kata" in other martial arts, but two or more people perform it together. Embu are performed in courts, gyms, at Taikai (tournaments), or other special events.

In these routines, one kenshi acts as the attacker (kōsha). The other acts as the defender (shusha). They then switch roles and do the technique again. After the planned moves, the kenshi do ren-han-ko. This is a series of free counter-attacks after a defense. It continues until the first attacker successfully blocks and counters. The soft techniques (juho) are followed by katame (pinning techniques) or kime (finishing moves to nerve points).

Embu start with gassho-rei (a prayer-like bow). They are usually done in pairs (kumi embu), alone (tandoku embu), or in a group of 6 or 8 people (dantai embu).

In the past, there were no strict rules for embu. Today, judges score them. Usually, 5 judges give points out of 60 for each of the 6 sections. They also give 40 points for other factors. The highest and lowest scores are removed. This means a perfect score can be 300 points. Pair and group embu are performed within 1.5 to 2 minutes.

The most famous embu pair was Masuomi Nakano and Toshio Misaki. Their performance was said to have greatly impressed Doshin So.

Unyo-ho (Sparring)

Early in Shorinji Kempo's history, there was a fighting competition called Unyo-ho. Many accidents happened during sparring because people did not wear headgear. So, the organization made it a rule to wear headgear and body protectors. A system was also added where each kenshi could only be the defender or the attacker for safety. Points are given based on attacking moves, defensive techniques, and counter-attacks.

Shorinji Kempo Today

Today, Yūki So is the president of the World Shorinji Kempo Organization. She is also the chairperson of the Shorinji Kempo Group. Tsunehiro Arai is the WSKO's board chairperson and the president of the Japanese Shorinji Kempo Federation.

In 2010, the British Shorinji Kempo Federation (BSKF) separated from the WSKO. However, the United Kingdom Shorinji Kempo Federation (UKSKF) is still part of the WSKO.

See also

In Spanish: Shorinji Kempo para niños

• Hard and Soft (martial arts)
• Shuhari
• Origins of Asian martial arts
• Bodhidharma