Shorinji Kempo
From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source
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Shorinji Kempo is a Japanese martial art consisting of the philosophies of Kongo Zen Buddhism, Shaolin Fist and Kempo. Its movements are derived from a combination of Karate, Jujutsu, and Aikijutsu with a foundation in Shaolin Fist kung fu. The name is derived from the Japanese way of reading the characters for “Shaolin Temple” and is translated to “The Fist Way of Shaolin Temple.” The techniques exploit the use of balance and specific pressure points (kyusho jutsu) of the body. It is considered a notable martial art due to the fact that this art has no killing moves because of its high regard for life.
There are four main points of study in Shorinji Kempo:
Juho – “soft” techniques including joint locks, take downs, and various escape and defensive techniques
(kyusho jutsu) – The manipulation or attacking of pressure points
Goho – “Hard” techniques including kicks, punches, various elbow and hand strikes, and knee kicks
Seiho – Healing techniques employing therapeutic massage, pressure points, chiropractic adjustments and paired stretching techniques
It is considered a notable martial art due to the fact that this art has no killing moves because of its high regard for life. Shorinji Kempo self defense focuses on combining hard and soft techniques to remove an assailant's desire to fight or inflict harm.
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History
Shorinji Kempo was founded by So Doshin in 1947 in the town of Tadotsu. Upon returning to Japan after the end of World War II, So Doshin found the country’s morale in a pitiful state. In an effort to help rebuild the morale of his mother country, So Doshin began to teach philosophy to the youth of the day in hopes of teaching the next generation to help rebuild the country’s morale and a feeling of community. His goal was to teach each student good morals, courage, community thinking and leadership in his students, as well as mental, physical and spiritual discipline. When philosophy failed to attract youth in sufficient numbers, he began to teach the martial arts he had learned during his 17 year stay in China. As part of Shorinji Kempo training, he taught his students his perception of Buddhism, founding the Kongo Zen Buddhist sect. Recently, this component of Shorinji Kempo has been separated from the martial art.
Techniques
The physical techniques are split into four families: Juho, Goho, "Seiho" and "Kyusho". Juho, Goho and Kyusho are combined to defend one's self against attack from punches, kicks, grabs, holds and throws.
Shorinji Kempo applies Juho to blocking techniques by reducing the impact of the blow and redirecting it by accepting the attack energy and redirecting it, rather than meeting force with more force. After the initial danger presented by an attack has passed, the opponent is either taken to the ground by manipulating their balance and weight distribution, or is counter attacked with a Goho technique, such as a punch, or more likely, a combination of punches. The fluid nature of Shorinji Kempo techniques allow seemless transitions from Goho and Juho as needed.
Kyusho can be applied to Juho techniques by attacking joints, nerves, muscles or tendons to cause an assailant enough pain to remove their desire to fight or inflict harm. Generally, most Juho techniques have both gentle, "pain free" and painful variants. Gentle variants rely on directing joints such as the shoulders or hips to manipulate an assailant's balance and distribution of weight to guide them to the ground.
When Kyusho is applied, the joints of the opponent or practice partner to produce a pain response, forcing the other person to drop to avoid serious injury. Inflicting permanent damage is typically strongly discouraged, so students are taught to feel the force of an opponent or partner in order to apply techniques appropriately and to reduce the risk of injury.
Seiho is the study of beneficial pressure points, therapeutic massage, chiropractic adjustments and paired stretching. While typically studied by high level, very experienced students, basic techniques are often taught and practiced by everyone near the end of a class to help each other relax or to work out minor injuries.
Competition
Sparring in Shorinji Kempo is not competitive, and assigns each participant a specific role for each round. These roles are defense and offense. The objective of sparring is for each participant to apply techniques appropriate to their role. One does not earn points for striking his or her partner. This being the case, Shorinji Kempo does not have sparring tournaments.
Embu, or paired forms, are often performed in front of judges at Shorinji Kempo events known as Taikai. Teams are judged based on correct execution of techniques, emotional exchange, concentration and the execution of formalities at the begining and end of the Embu.
Philosophy
Shorinji Kempo goes beyond the limits of self-defense. Its main practice is designed to cultivate several qualities to produce reliable, upstanding individuals:
Courage Leadership A sense of community Mental, physical and spiritual discipline Courteousness to others Moral behavior Team work Self Defense
Originally, Kongo Zen Buddhism was part of the Shorinji Kempo curriculum. This sect of Zen Buddhism focuses on the wisdom of Buddhism to promote harmonious living with oneself and others by self improvement and self realization. This has recently been separated from the Shorinji Kempo curriculum.
A practitioner of Shorinji Kempo is called a "kenshi.
| Japanese Martial Arts | |
|---|---|
| Aikido | Aikijutsu | Atemi Jitsu | Battojutsu | Bojutsu | Dai Jutsu Do | Daito Ryu Aikijujutsu | Goshin Jujitsu | Hyoho Niten Ichi-ryu | Iaido | Jodo | Judo | Jujutsu | Juttejutsu | Kashima Shinryu | Kendo | Kenjutsu | Kosho Shorei Ryu Kempo | Kyokushin | Kyudo | Naginata Do | Nanbudo | Ninjutsu | Shidokan | Shinkendo | Shintaido | Shoot boxing | Shooto | Shorinji Kempo | Shugijutsu | Sumo | Taido | Tantojutsu | Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto Ryu | Yabusame | Yagyu Shingan Ryu | |
External Links
http://www.shorinjikempo.or.jp/wsko/ - World Shorinji Kempo Organization home page
