Shorinji Kempo

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Shorinji Kempo
Founder Doshin So
Ancestor arts Byakurenmonken Kempo, North Shorinji Giwamonken School, Arahan no Ken

Shorinji Kempo (w:ja:少林寺拳法) has established by Doshin So (宗 道臣) as self-establishment methods and trainings (行: gyo or discipline) for the human beings in Japan in 1947.

The methods and trainings are based on the philosophy as "spirit and body are not separable" (心身一如: shinshin ichinyo) and "train both body and spirit" (拳禅一如: kenzen ichinyo). In this way, Shorinji Kempo has been known to have 3 benefits of "self-defense and training" (護身錬鍛: goshin rentan), "mental training " (精神修養: seishin shuyo) and "promoting helth"（健康増進: kenko zoshin) .

Shorinji Kempo also incorporates education system aiming to "establish oneself" (自己確立: jiko kakurisu) and "mutual comfort" (自他共楽: jita kyoraku') employing well organized technical training schedules (科目表: kamoku hyo) and a thick handbook for the philosophy and techniques (少林寺拳法教範: Shorinji Kempo Kyohan). It is natural for this organization to record (recorded voice, video and documents) these philosophy and techniques even these are treated as a kind of secrets.

The organization of Shorinji Kempo group is divided into 5 corporate entities such as religious entity (金剛禅総本山少林寺: Kongo-zen Sohonzan Shorinji）, foundation entity（財団法人少林寺拳法連盟: Shorinji Kempo Foundation Federation), educational entity (学校法人禅林学園: Zenrin Gakuen College), global entity (少林寺拳法世界連合, WSKO: World Shorinji Kempo Organization) and intellectual property entity (SHORINJI KEMPO UNITY). The relationship between these 5 entities are very tight because of the unique fusion of religion, budo and education. （source: web site of Shorinji Kempo Foundation Federation and Shorinji Kempo Kyohan written by Doshin So)

It is important know that Shorinji Kempo employees its basic philosophy from ancient buddhism and its basic techniques from old chinese martial arts originated by Indian fighting techniques. However, existing chinese martial arts (中国武術) such as Shaolin Kung Fu (少林拳) and Tai Chi Chuan (太極拳) are not the same as Shorinji Kempo.

Contents

[edit] Overview

There are two sides at Shorinji Kempo which are believed to be true budo (武道) and educational organization. As the latter, the organization is well known among boys and girls for their mental training institution as well as body training facilities (道場: dojo). Doshin So as the founder of Shorinji Kempo wanted to establish not only an organization which incorporated mental and body training but also wanted to educate japanese people who are completely destructed by World War II/ Pacific Rim War. He has been aiming to defuse those who have lost their mind and rebuilt self-established Japan for the future. It is said that he tried to teach those philosophy based on the original buddhism and zen but no one followed him. Then he thought to follow Bodi Dharma who was believed to be forwarded zen as the mental training and ekkin-gyo as the body training (易筋行) according to his book. Both of them are later to be the main training methods of Shorinji Kempo.

As the part of the budo, however Shorinji Kempo is aiming at self-establishment for the person and world's peace by creating never-bending courage, harmonious personality and having sympathy to the others. To create peaceful and ideal society, Shorinji Kempo has been insisting every person to be a real leader of their respective area.

Technically, Shorinji Kempo is the whole set of defense techniques but the demonstration known as embu (演武. It is usually performed by 2 persons and called kumi-enbu (組演武). The embu consists of 6 sections and each section includes the series of techniques which are goho (剛法) and juho (柔法). During the embu, one person attacks and another person defenses and take turns immediately. Each technique is known as hien (飛燕) or flying swallow which represents speed and smoothness of those techniques. The embu is occasionally performed by wearing black gown (法衣: hoi) at the beginning ceremony of anual taikai (大会) or convention.

[edit] The relationship between Shorinji Kempo and Song Shan Shaolin Temple

The name "Shorinji Kempo" is naturally come from "Shaolin Temple" or Shaolin Monastery in Song Shan district (嵩山少林寺: Suuzan-shorinji) in Henan Province (河南省) in China. At the temple, Doshin So had inherited the 21st master of the Giwamon-ken (義和門拳) which is believe to use at the revolt of Giwadan-school (義和団乃乱) for the defense of buddhist priests in 1900 and 1901.

Also, Doshin So was very much impressed to watch paintings on the wall of Byakue-den (白衣殿) chapel at Shaolin Temple. The style of the buddhist priests who are practicing the martial arts were very fresh and vital to him. He thought it was the origin of the existing martial arts techniques in China. (source: a book "Hiden Shorinji Kempo" 秘伝少林寺拳法「光文社」written by Doshin So, published by Kobun-sha Kappa Books)

A monument of Doshin So was erected in the 50s of Showa era (around 1975) representing the long term relationship of Shaolin Temple and Shorinji Kempo group.
The Chinese film titled "少林寺 or Shaolin Temple" starling action star Jet Li (李 連杰) was shot at Shaolin Temple supported by Shorinji Kempo group.

According to Doshin So, he would like to put ho (法: dharma and truth) after ken (拳: fist) because even the power of the techniques need to follow dharma and truth. Then, the name of Shorinji Kempo consists of Shaorin Temple, fist (means power and techniques) and dharma/truth.

It is said that the word kempo (拳法) is not used frequently in China.

[edit] History

Doshin So (born in 1911) has spent his younger ages in northern China inorder to do something for Japanese nation and people . He joined Intelligence Agency of Japan Army to collect military information during the war. During his stay, he met master Chen (陳 良) was an expert of Giwamon-ken. Learning his techniques, Doshi So traveled Manchuria on his mission and duty and learned more about existing Chinese martial arts. The master Wen (文 太宗) one of the masters took him to visit Shaolin Temple in Hana Province to inherit Giwamon-ken (義和門拳: Yi He Men Quan) letting Doshin So to be a 21st master.

Eventually, Soviet Army proceeded to Manchuria on 9th of August in 1945 and he was forced to live under the occupation of Soviet Army. Finally, he recognized and learned the difference between human beings is the "nature of the human being". According to his book, this is extremely important since the politics, law and living are all conducted by human being.

After coming back from China, he thought to establish a cram school for the young people. He was stationed in the small town called Tadotsu in Shikoku island in Japan to teach original philosophy of Buddhism. However, he failed to convince people without something different. So, he established Shorinji Kemp to take the concept of ken-zen ichinyo by following Bodidharma and made use of learned techniques in China. He was confident to provide courage and opportunity to learn the doctrines of Buddato for the young people in order to be a leader of the coming generation.

(source: a book "HIden Shorinji Kempo" (秘伝少林寺拳法) written by Doshin So, published by Kobun-sha Kappa Books）

This promotion and campaign was called as Kongo-zen undo (Kongo-zen campaign) and expanded entire Japan by his pupils. This campaign and concept was inherited by his daughter 宗 由貴 (Yuuki So) after his death in 1980 till present. After his death, Doshin So has been called "Kaiso" or the founder and the grand master.

[edit] Philosophy

Shorinji Kempo is not an usual budo or a kind of sports to the utmost. It is said to be as a religious gyo among pupils. According to the Buddha's doctrine, the spirit and fleshly body are not separable. Practicing Shorinji Kempo technique and learning its philosophy, it is believed to have firm body like a pair of standing Vajradhara (金剛神: Kongo-shin or 金剛力士 Kongo-rikishi) and never-give-up spirit like Bodidharma (菩提達磨).

It is said that one who has illness in mind cannot be healthy with one's body. In this regard, Shorinji Kempo is believed to be a teaching which is aiming at creating the leadership contributing to the society by establishing the character of the human beings based on healthy body and spirit.

[edit] Kempo and zen

As mentioned above, Shorinji Kempo incorporates zen as a mental training. According to the teaching of Kongo Zen, training of body and sprit can never be carried out separately. The trainings of the body consists of 3 categories which are goho (hard techniques such as punch, kick), juho (soft techniques such as drawing out, throwing) and seiho (correcting techniques such as spine adjustments). Doshin So recalled in his book that he had aware to follow Bodidharma for his revelation and also expand the fighting techniques (阿羅漢乃拳) which was believed to be transfered from India and was painted on the wall of Byakue-den chapel at Shaolin Temple. Please note that Shorinji Kempo is a gyo and it exists under Kongo Zen teaching.

The people who entered Kongo Zen are called pupils (門信徒) and who are practicing Shorinji Kempo are called kenshi (拳士). Kenshi always salute with "gassho-rei" the greetings commonly used among buddhist pupils. gassho-rei is alo "gassho-gamae" stance, the both palms are put together and raised in front of one's face.

Milestones
1947 established religious entity
1948 established "Nippon Hokuha Shorinji kempo Society"
1951 started "Kongo Zen Sohonzan Shorinji" (金剛禅総本山少林寺)
1956 established educational entity
1957 established "All Japan Shorinji Kempo Federation"
1963 established "Shorinji Kempo Federation of Japan" as corporate entity
1972 established "World Shorinji Kempo Organization" (WSKO)
1980 Doshin So passed away
1992 established "Shorinji Kempo Federation Foundation" as a foundation entity
1997 celebrated 50th anniversary
2000 Shorinji Kempo Group organized
2002 Busen (Shorinji Kempo Budo Academy) opened high school
2003 Busen renamed to be Zenrin Gakuen College
2003 designed the new mark so-en and new logo of Shorinji Kempo
2005 migration from manji to so-en
2007 60th annversary
2008 established All Japan Junior HIgh School Shorinji Kempo Federation
2009 Sekai-taikai (global convention) canceled at Indonesia but held as opened taikai

(source: 少林寺拳法, in Japanese)

[edit] Training system

Mental trainings (3 methods): Kiryoku/kisei/kiai

Body trainings
Goho (hard techniques, 8 methods and 3 traditions): Tsuki/uchi/kiri/keri/kari/fumi/tai/bo Dokko/nyoi/kongo

Juho (soft techniques, 10 methods): Gyaku/nage/katame/shime/tori/ouatsu/nukite/nukimi/shuho/baku

Seiho(correcting methods of body): Seikei/seimyaku/seikotsu/kappo

Knowledge: In/yo/kyojitu/tempo/chii/chijutsu/boryaku

(source: Shorinji Kempo Kyohan)

Kamae (stances)
Byakuren (白蓮) 8 stances
ichiji-gamae, taiki-gamae, gyaku-taki-gamae, aiki-gamae, fukko-gamae, midare-gamae, byakuren-chudan-gamae or commonly called kaisoku-chudan-gamae, hasso-gamae

Giwa (義和) 9 stances
gassho-gamae, kesshu-gamae, chudan-gamae, gedan-gamae, gyaku-gedan-gamae, manji-gamae, yoko-muso-gamae, tate-muso-gamae nio-gamae

Fujin-ho (body positions)
sei-tai-gamae (both facing with Byakuren-chudan-gamae), tai-gamae (when one with left-front stance, the other takes left-front stance), hiraki-gamae (when one with left-front stance, the other takes right-front stance)

Umpo-ho (footwork):
tai-sabaki (body movement)
ukemi (passive devense):
mae-ukemi, ushiro-ukemi, oten-yori-okiagari, dai-sharin

(source: Shorinji Kempo Kyohan)

[edit] Enbu

Enbu is a combination of hokei (organized patters of goho and juho techniques) which has now 6 sections. Enbu is performed in the court in the gym at Taikai or other ceremonial occasions. In these hokei patterns, one acts offence and one acts defense but immediately take turns vice versa. It is called ren-han-ko (連反攻: series of offence after defense). After the juho techniques such as throwing will followed by katame (fixing techniques) and kime (finish up techniques with punch or kick).

Enbu starts with gassho-rei are performed usually in kumienbu (performed by kenshis in pair), tandoku enbu (performed by single kenshi) and dantai enbu (performed by 6 or 8 kenshis in a group). Enbu of Shorinji Kempo is famous because of its speed, smoothness and the harmony of power and beauty.

Enbu is rated by 5 (sometimes 3 at preliminary selection) judges having 60 points each for the 6 sections and 40 points each for other comprehensiveness. Total 300 points are the maximum, eliminating the highest and the lowest when 5 judges are in duty. Kumienbu and dantai enbu are performed within 1 minute 30 seconds and 2 minutes maximum.

Earlier in the Shorinji Kempo history, there was no regulation in performing enbu. In this regard, embu was very powerful and practical since it was performed occasionally adhoc and ad-libed.

The most famous pair in the enbu history was Masuomi Nakano and Toshio Misaki whoes enbu was very much impressed Doshin So at that time.

(source: 少林寺拳法, in Japanese)

Unyo-ho

Earlier in the Shorinji Kempo's history, unyo-ho is called randori which was performed much like fighting style. After many accidents during randori with no head gear, the organization researched and improved protecters including head gear, body protector (胴) and faul cup. Also, changed the fighting style into defense and offence round style for the safety of kenshis.

Rating will be done not only by attacking pints but also from the view point of defense techniques and counterattacks. Also the manner as kenshi is very important point to be rated.

(source: 少林寺拳法, in Japanese and Shoriji Kempo Kyohan)

[edit] Organizations

Shorinji Kempo Group
Kongo-zen Sohonzan Shorinji
Shorinji Kempo Foundation Federation
Zenrin Gakuen College
World Shorinji Kempo Organization (WSKO)
SHORINJI KEMPO UNITY

[edit] Up-to-date

Shorinji Kempo is practiced at 2,900 doin (道院) and branches in 33 countries world wide. Due to the current group president Yuuki So the daughter of Doshin So, Shorinji Kempo is very popular among ladies and a lot of lady kenshi are joining the organization. Shorinji Kempo is practiced at doin (dojo with small altar) private gym, public gym, conference room, athletic fields, parks, etc.

Doin is opened for the public and there are also club activities in each enterprises, public sectors, schools, local sports organizations etc. and they are called branches or shibu (支部').

[edit] Qualifications and dan (bukai and hokai)

There are 2 qualifications from 1st dan (1st grade black belt) in order to qualify the steps of body and spiritual training.

Examples of dan and corresponding hokai
1st dan (sho-dan) -> Jun-kenshi
2nd dan (ni-dan) -> Sho-kenshi
3rd dan (san-dan) -> Chu-kenshi
4th dan (yon-dan) -> Sei-kenshi
5th dan (go-dan) -> Dai-kenshi

After having 1st, 2nd and 3rd dan (bukai qualifications), kenshi practicing at doin will automatically have Jun-kenshi, Sho-kenshi and Chu-kenshi (hokai qualifications) Those kenshi practicing at branches will have these corresponding hokai after joining the training at Shorinji Kempo head quarters in Tadotsu town in Kagawa prefecture in Japan.

From 1st dan through 3rd dan, the examinations are held in each prefectural Shorinji Kempo organization basis. However, the special examination will be held only at its head quarters for the qualifications of 4th dan and above. Generally, kenshi with 4th dan (yon-dan) and above is a teacher but kenshi with 5th dan (go-dan) and above is officially called sensei (先生: teacher). Kenshi who obtained 4th dan automatically obtain Sei-kenshi as well.

Please note that WSKO's qualifications and conditions are a little different from its Japanese domestic ones.

Arm emblem category colors:

    • ■Red: for doin kenshi
    • ■Blue: for shibu kenshi
    • ■Green: for Zenrin Gakuen College students
    • ■Purple: for WSKO kenshi

Arm emblem title colors: Gold: for master of doin" or "shibu, Silver: for master of doin or shibu with 5th dan or lower, Red: assistant teacher with 3rd dan or above

Also, there is a sokai qualification in Konzo-zen Sohonzan Shorinji the religious entity. Kenshi with 2nd dan and Sho-kenshi will study the Kongo-zen's philosophy and submit application form and thesis.

[edit] Shorinji Kempo Head Quarters (honbu)

Headquartered in Tadotsu town, Kagawa prefecture (in Shikoku island) in Japan

Buildings:
Hondo (main dojo/hall)
Kodo (lecture hall)
Rensei-dojo (former 1st dojo)
Shokudo (dining room)
Daigan-toh (memorial tower)
Zenrin Gakuen (collegelhouse)

The bones and ashes of Doshin So are buried behind Kodo.

[edit] Zenrin Gakuen College

Established as an academy following the principles of Shorinji Kempo. The main collegehouse is located at Honbu. The monthly seminar is held in each region for those who cannot attend daily class at Honbu.

[edit] From manji (卍: left-facing swastika) to so-en (double circle)

Manji has been used for the mark of Shorinji Kempo as it is used in the Buddhism for many centuries. As both manji mean love (left-facing) and power (right-facing) which symbolize Kongo-zen teaching.

However, the propagation of World Shorinji Kempo Organization (WSKO), it became a big barrier to use. In this regard, WSKO had been using the letter 拳 (ken) in the center of tate-manji (manji guarded by shields) on the emblem or using nagare-manji which meant rounded manji.

In 2005, Shorinji Kempo Group has employed the new mark as a new symbol of world wide Shorinji Kempo organizations to make them unified.

The new mark is called so-en (double circle) and it is said that this is the extreme shape of a pair of manji. The so-en mark is managed and its rights are reserved by SHORINJI KEMPO UNITY.

The so-en mark should be put on:
dogi (Shorinji Kempo wear. tops and bottoms), (lady kenshi can also wear white-bsed T-shirt for their inner wear under dogi), obi (belts: white, yellow, green, black) and hoi (black gown)

(source: web site of Shorinji Kempo Group)

[edit] Theme songs

"Song of Shorinji Kempo" (Hachiro Kasuga)
"Deep Within Each Man" (Phil Perry)
"Hitori Hitori no Kokoro ni Fukaku" (Kengo Kurozumi, Shigeru Matsuzaki)

(source: 少林寺拳法 in Japanese)

[edit] Movies

"少林寺拳法: Shorinji Kempo" (leading actor: Sonny Chiba) 1975, Toei Movie, Japan
"少林寺: Shaolin Temple" (leading actor: Jet Lee) 1982, Hong Kong and mainland China

(source: 少林寺拳法 in Japanese)

[edit] See also

[edit] References


[edit] External links

[edit] National Federations

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shorinji_Kempo"