SHORINJI KEMPO Peninsula Branch

SHORINJI KEMPO
Peninsula Branch (USA)

An Offiical WSKO Branch

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What is SHORINJI KEMPO

The information here is intended as an introduction. For details, please see the following pages on the World Shorinji Kempo Organization official site:

In brief, SHORINJI KEMPO was established at the town of Tadotsu in Kagawa, Japan, by the founder Doshin So in 1947, as a "Gyo" for developing people, a way for people to learn to establish mutual trust and cooperation. After returning to Japan following the end of World War II, he re-organized and re-established the techniques from the Chinese and Japanese martial arts he had learned, as well as added his own. This was named "Shorinji Kempo," his own style of techniques.

Techniques

SHORINJI KEMPO is a method of self-defense, to protect oneself from violence. In order to allow the weaker to control the stronger, the techniques are logically created on the basis of dynamics and physiology. Anyone, regardless of sex or age can practice these techniques.

How to Practice

The practice of SHORINJI KEMPO is conducted in pairs, taking the role of a defender and an attacker. The partner is not a competitor or opponent. The aim is not to find out which of the two is stronger, but to work together to improve the techniques through cooperation, and to learn mutual respect.

The Essence of SHORINJI KEMPO

The purpose is not to win a match or to beat other people. SHORINJI KEMPO is not just a martial art or a sport, but a training method to become self-reliant.

Basic Principle

"Live half for yourself, and half for the others" --- this is what Kaiso said, which expresses the basic principle of SHORINJI KEMPO.

Ken Zen Ichinyo (Unity of Ken and Zen): "Ken" refers to the body and "Zen" to the spirit. Practioner of SHORINJI KEMPO, a Kenshi, must seek to develop both the body and the mind.
Riki Ai Funi (Strength and Love in Harmony): Strength supported by Love, and Love supported by Strength. The condition, in which the two apparently opposites are unified as one, is what a person's way of thinking and acting should have at its core.
Kumite Shutai (Paired Practice is Primary): In training, there are two roles; offense to attack the partner, and the defense to protect him/herself from the offense. Cooperation among the two is the most important requirement for improvement.
Fusatsu Katsujin (Not to Kill, but to Awaken): Never seek fighting. Protect your body and learn to help others. Just hurting people is not the purpose of learning Shorinji Kempo.
Go Ju Ittai (Hard and Soft Make One Whole): "Go" refers to the punching, kicking and blocking. "Ju" refers to the twisting, pinning, and throwing. Neither method is superior over the other, but they work together to support and enhance each other.
Shushu Koju (Defend is Primary, Offense Subordinate): SHORINJI KEMPO is a method of self-defense. Its techniques start with a defense against the opponent's attack.

Organization

SHORINJI KEMPO is now active in over 30 countries with over 3,000 branches world-wide, and still spreading throughout the world. Currently, there are five organizations associated with SHORINJI KEMPO. These five organizations are further grouped together through the SHORINJI KEMPO GROUP, lead by Ms. Yuuki So.

The organizations are as follows:

Kongo Zen Sohonzan Shorinji Kongo Zen is a Zen Religious group aiming to foster people who has the virtues of Ken Zen Ichinyo and Riki Ai Funi using the practice of SHORINJI KEMPO as the primary training method.
Shorinji Kempo Remmei (Federation) The Federation organizes all the branches in Japan, and aims to foster people who can think half for themselves while thinking half for the good of others through the practice of Shorinji Kempo; as well as actively spreading SHORINJI KEMPO through various activities.
Zenrin Gakuen (formally known by the common name, Busen) The purpose of this school is to foster leaders, who can contribute to the good of society, through education based on the principles and aims of SHORINJIKEMPO
Shorinji Kempo Unity (formally known as Shorinji Kempo Intellectual Property Protection Corporation) This is a relatively new organization formed to supervise the protection of all trademarks, service marks, and other intellectual properties related to SHORINJI KEMPO.
World Shorinji Kempo Organization (WSKO) WSKO supervises all the branches around the world. Through the techiniques and teachings of SHORINJI KEMPO, WSKO hopes to contribute to world peace and friendship.

Created and Maintained by: Shorinji Kempo Peninsula