Shorinji Kempo History

Shorinji Kempo traces its origins back almost 5000 years to India.

From India, Buddhism spread to many countries, including China and later Japan. Bodhidharma, the sixth century founder of Zen Buddhism, introduced kempo to the legendary Shaolin Temple ('Shorin-Ji' in Japanese), located in Honan prefecture. Here kempo became the main form of spiritual training for the buddhist monks and the monastery became famous for its fighting arts.

Wall paintings can still be seen today in the Shaolin Temple of dark-skinned (Indian) monks practicing and teaching kempo to light-skinned (Chinese) monks.

The Imperial Chinese Government, feeling threatened, destroyed the temple and persecuted the monks. The techniques however continued to be taught and practiced by various secret societies as a means of protection against bandits and corrupt officials.

Many different forms of kempo were developed and kept alive by these secret societies.

Foundation

Born in 1911 in Okayama prefecture, the eldest son of a customs officer, Doshin So was sent to live with his grandfather in Manchuria upon the death of his father.

From the age of 18, he travelled extensively in China and studied many of the scattered remnants of Chinese kempo . In Beijing, Doshin So studied under Wen Laoshi, the 20th Master of the Northern Shorinji Giwamonken School. At a ceremony held at the Shaolin Temple in 1936 Doshin So became Wen-Laoshi's direct successor, the 21st Master.

On the 9th of August 1945, Doshin So was in Eastern Manchuria when the Russian army broke their treaty with Japan and crossed the border. On the 15th of August, the war ended in Japan's defeat. During the next year, under the occupying Russian army he experienced the misery and suffering of defeat in a foreign land, where the interests of nations had come before the claims of ideology, religion, and morals. Nations had fought, and victory went to the country best able to organise its people to defeat and kill others. The strongest ruled, and the defeated Japanese in Manchuria were on the wrong side of that rule.

Amidst this bitter reality, Doshin So found a lesson which shaped the principles of Shorinji Kempo. He realized that it was neither ideology, religious differences nor national policies which determine the course of events, but rather the character and the way of thinking of the people involved. He put words to this realisation saying, "The person! The person! Everything depends on the quality of the person".

The defeat of Japan in the war brought about the repatriation of Doshin So and indirectly became the cause of the transmission of kempo to Japan. On his return, in June 1946, he found a people in turmoil, confused and lacking any hope or sense of purpose. Doshin So could see that they were lacking in morality and pride, so he set about teaching the arts he had learnt.

Though termed Shorinji Kempo (literally translated as 'The Way of the Shaolin Temple Fist'), his art is not a collection of Chinese kempo, but rather a fusion and re-arrangement of all the martial disciplines studied by Doshin So in China and Japan. It is kempo re-examined and amplified by the addition of a religious philosophy.

Doshin So founded Shorinji Kempo in Japan in 1948 and became known as 'Kaiso', which roughly translates as 'founder'. Kaiso established Shorinji Kempo headquarters in Tadotsu, Kagawa Prefecture, on the island of Shikoku. In 1951 the Kongo Zen Sohonzan was established, with Shorinji Kempo as its main teaching. In 1953 he founded the Japan Shorinji Kempo Federation. By 1969 its membership had spread throughout Japan, and numbered over 300,000. In 1974 the World Shorinji Kempo Organisation was established. To date (2000) Shorinji Kempo is the most popular single form of martial art in Japan, with over 3,000 branches. There are over 1.5 million members worldwide and it is practiced in 33 countries, including 13 in Europe.

Sadly, on May 12th 1980 Kaiso died of heart disease. Since then, his daughter, Yuuki So, has continued his work as the head of Shorinji Kempo. She is Chairperson of the Shorinji Kempo Group and President of the World Shorinji Kempo Federation.

The Shorinji Kempo Group includes the Shorinji Kempo Federation (Japan), Shorinji Kempo Unity ®, World Shorinji Kempo Organisation, Kongo Zen Sohonzan Shorinji and Zenrin Gakuin (School)

FAQ

This is a selection of frequently asked questions. If you don't find your answers here or elsewhere on the site then please contact us.

What makes Shorinji Kempo different from other martial arts?
How fit do I have to be?
Do I need to be flexible?
Is Shorinji Kempo effective in a 'real life' situation?
Is Shorinji Kempo suitable for women?
How safe is Shorinji Kempo?
Are there any competitions in Shorinji Kempo?
How often do I have to train?
How long will it take to get a black-belt?
Is the philosophical component likely to conflict with my beliefs?
Is there a beginner's class?
When can I join?
How much is it going to cost?
Where is my nearest training venue?

• There are many ways in which Shorinji Kempo differs from other martial arts in terms of content, practice and application. See the section on purpose for further details.

• If you decide to participate in Shorinji Kempo it is assumed that you do so on your own assessment of your physical fitness.
• Providing your participation does not contravene professional medical advice you will be welcome to participate.
• Many people have taken up Shorinji Kempo as a means to improve personal physical fitness and found it ideal for this purpose.
• For further information see the section on healthy body on the Purpose section.

• It helps, but it is by no means necessary.
• Shorinji Kempo is a dynamic art and involves a wide range of movements. Those who are naturally flexible will of course find it easier than others who may not be so blessed. However, there is plenty of instruction and guidance towards improving your flexibility and mastering the requirements within your natural limitations.

• Shorinji Kempo is designed to be of practical use in self-defence situations. However, it should be clearly understood that like any self-defence discipline, Shorinji Kempo is not a magic cloak of steel that you pull from your pocket when faced with an attacker. The techniques that you learn will only be of use to you if you acquire the correct mental attitude required in their application. As a consequence, this mental attitude, along with very practical advice as to how to avoid and/or prepare yourself for the eventuality of a physical confrontation play a significant part in the Shorinji Kempo curriculum.

• Very much so. The BSKF has many female students and instructors.
• The techniques of Shorinji Kempo are designed to ensure that strength and size are not an issue.
• For further information see the section on self defence.

• The BSKF has an excellent safety record.
• The essentially co-operative nature of practice ensures that each individual practitioner gives due consideration to the abilities of their training partner regardless of their grade or experience. However, it is a dynamic, energetic contact activity and accidents, though very rare, can happen.
• The techniques employed are designed to exploit the weaknesses of the human body without causing injury. Whilst pain is inevitable, when combined with the co-operative spirit, this makes for very safe practice.

• Shorinji Kempo is essentially non-competitive and is not regarded as a sporting activity. Tournaments that extol the virtues of individuals overwhelming and defeating opponents run contrary to the ideals of budo.
• This does not mean that Shorinji Kempo does not have a practical self-defence application or that it provides no opportunity to compare one's own abilities with other practitioners. See the sections on randori and embu under the self defence section on the Purpose page for further information.

• Most venues offer two training sessions per week and most people find that this is sufficient time to make steady progress. Attending only one session per week will inevitably slow your progress but there is no minimum requirement.
• Full Membership of the BSKF provides for practice at any recognised branch so according to your personal schedule and the availability of other branches, you are free to train as regularly as you choose.

• The simple answer is that you can pop into any sports shop and get a black belt any time you please! In Shorinji Kempo, whilst the grading system provides a practical means to measure and plan your progress, acquiring grades is not the ultimate objective.
• With regular practice, most people will be ready to take their first grading examination (yellow belt) after around three months. Thereafter, the grading opportunities will arrive in three to six month intervals with up to one year minimum practice between brown belt and black belt. In short, with regular dedicated practice it is possible to attain a black belt grade in around three years.
• A black belt is often perceived as the mark of one who has mastered an art. In Shorinji Kempo this could not be further from the truth. The black belt grade is also referred to as "sho-dan" - in English this means, "first step". It is the point at which true learning begins.
• For more information, see the section on advancement on the B.S.K.F. page.

• Whilst based on fundamental Buddhist ideals the philosophy of Shorinji Kempo, is a practical modern day philosophy concerned with issues faced in everyday life regardless of religious distinction.
• As evidenced by the rich religious diversity among its practitioners, it does not require that its students to make any fundamental change to their beliefs.
• It is, nonetheless, a vital component of practice and practitioners are required to demonstrate their understanding of its concepts in order to advance through the grades.

• Some venues will make special provision in the form of classes for beginners at busy times of the year.
• Since the basics of practice are covered in every session, there is little need to for this. Throughout the class you will receive help and guidance from more experienced students and the instructor will place no minimum requirements on your ability.
• Don't be daunted by the apparent experience and ability of those around you - they all went through the same experience as you and you'd probably be surprised to discover how recently.
• If you'd prefer, you'll be welcome to watch a class first.

• Unless your local venue has made other arrangements for beginners, you'll be welcome at any time. Simply confirm the details prior to visiting.

• Shorinji Kempo is not an expensive activity.
• Membership of the BSKF and WSKO is £30 in total, renewable at £25 annually thereafter. However, the BSKF offers a Provisional Membership (enquire at the branch for details of costs involved), which provides insured practice for up to 30 days. This time provides you and the instructor with an opportunity to decide on your continued participation prior to making any substantial financial commitment.
• Full Membership may be acquired by paying the remaining fee at any time during the Provisional Membership period. However, it should be understood that sessions attended as a Provisional Member do not count towards the minimum requirements for grading qualification established by WSKO.
• The regular training fees involved will vary according to the venue and the instructor and the contact person for each venue will be happy to provide details on request.
• Each branch is required to charge the Provisional Membership fee in order to provide accident and liability insurance cover. However, many branches will wave the regular training fees for the first one or two sessions to offset this cost.
• Equipment requirements are minimal and inexpensive. A training outfit (dogi) will cost in the region of £15.00 and is available from most branches. You are not required to purchase a dogi until you are sure that you wish to continue practice. Prior to that, loose sportswear will suffice.