Shorinji Kempo

The shōrinji kenpō (Kanji 小林寺拳法) is a Japanese martial art with Chinese origins .

The Myth of the Origins of Shorinji Kempo

Approximately thousand five hundred years ago, an alive prince in India of the South and prénommant Bodhidharma (Japanese Daruma), was a Master of the Kalaripayat, one of the oldest martial arts. Wire of king Sughanda de Madra of the warlike caste of Ksatriyas, it was the 28e successor of the historical Bouddha Shâkyamuni according to the line of Mâhâkâshyapa.

Towards the 20 years age, renonçant with its kingdom, he became buddhist monk and went in China by taking the silk route, to arrive at Nankin towards 520 where he asked to see the Wudi Emperor of the Liang dynasty. The fame of Daruma, a rather impressive man, preceded it. Its name meant in its language “enlightened”, and it supposedly brought the knowledge of the truth and the law (Boddhi and Dharma) which it held of its Prajnata predecessor. Nevertheless he had traversed several thousands of kilometers, also the Emperor convened the dignitaries of the Empire and the representatives of the Bouddhisme in China. But the audience occurred badly, and Daruma more or less peacefully left the court according to the versions…

Daruma crossed the river Yang Tse, appears it on a simple reed, and went to be presented to the old monastery called Shaolin If (Shorin Ji in Japanese, wanting to say “the monastery of the young forest”), located on the Songshan mount in the province of Henan. There, pushed by the incomprehension of the monks, or then put at the variation of the monastery by those, it would have been put in meditation in front of the wall of a cave in overhang during nine years in order to practice Bi Guan (mural contemplation). It is said that its tears gave rise to a tea plant, or that it would have mutilated the eyelids (from there representations of Daruma with the “wild” air), those giving a tea plant after being thrown on the ground. It is since then the was used in the ceremonies of the Chan (Zen).

One day, it was illuminated (Satori), and decided to transmit its new doctrines. It dropped the Hinayana (school Buddhist from the small vehicle and was put at the Mahayana (Bouddhisme of the large vehicle), integrated the meditation (Dhyâna) which it named Chan (Zen in Japanese), simplified the rites, eliminated the need for crowned texts and professed that its followers would find the way of Bouddha while looking inside themselves. The monks Shaolin, saying is subjugated, would then have taken Daruma like patriarch.

With the head of the monastery, it noted as the monks as well tested a certain number of difficulties on an physical aspect as moral, and thus decided to create a series of exercises in order to strengthen the body and the spirit of its disciples (Ken Zen Ichi Nyo). It made use of Kempô bequeathed by its predecessors, as well as Yoga and Kalaripayat, and named its method Shi Pa Lo Han, “the 18 hands of Buddha”. Although all these techniques existed already for a long time in China, Daruma was the first to associate them, and triple drank of Shaolin Quan Fa of Daruma (or Shorin Ji Kempô in Japanese) was thus to strengthen the mental one, to maintain a good health and to give to the monks the capacity to defend oneself.

Because the monks were interested less and less in the meditation with the profit of Kempô, or perhaps because they were ironical more and more about his behavior to meditate opposite the wall of his cave and about the fact that it trained one disciple in nine years, one left Daruma day. One announced his death towards 557, but by opening his tomb one found inside only one dress and a sandal, while witnesses would have seen it on the back of a tiger, on the way for India, and fitted of a single shoe…

After the departure of Daruma, the meditation Chan (Zen) was gradually detached from Kempô with its successor, Hui Ke (it would have cut an arm to prove the sincerity of its gesture to its Master), and the method evolved/moved according to the personalities of the various successors. The sixth patriarch, naming Today Neng and which was laic (around 638-716), supported the meditation and ends up leaving the monastery not to impose its point of view. It created the Zen school then and conceived a teaching based on the austere meditation in sitting position known as Zuo Chan or Zazen, method still taught at present.

At all events, of many disciplines as well Chinese as Japanese or others their origins in the method of Daruma recognize.

The founder (Kaïso): Shike SO Doshin

Wire of a customs officer of the prefecture of Okinawa, it was born in 1911, under the name of Nakano Michiomi. Very young person, to died his father, it left food in his grandfather in Mandchourie. At that time, the Japan had invaded the China and controlled militarily it. The father and the grandfather of SO Doshin had been members of a political party pertaining to a current of the Japanese nationalist right, “the Company of the Black Dragon”, and with died of his/her grandfather, So Doshin was registered there.

It turned over in Mandchourie in 1928 as a secret agent of the government, and it is at that time that it started to practice the boxing of Shaolin under the crook of a monk taoist. He went on many journeys in China and settled finally with Beijing where he involved himself with I He Chuan, with the Master Wen Lou Shi. At the time of its visit to the monastery of Shaolin If, it were struck by the famous manuscripts representing of the monks involving itself with martial arts. It is there that it would have been initiated with the Shaolin (also called Kita Shôrinji Giwamonken according to certain sources). However, it is not very probable that the Chinese thus taught their techniques with SO Doshin, without one long period of training. Indeed, except if one admits that this last succeeded in being made pass for Chinese, it seems improbable that an authentic Chinese Master could reveal his secrecies with a Japanese occupant.

He does not remain about it less than Shôrinji Kempo has indisputable bonds with the techniques of combat practiced in the famous monastery. Kaïso lived in China 17 years, during which it was initiated with martial arts by the Masters of various schools, and at the end of long years it was brought to succeed Wen Tan Tsung, 20th schoolmaster of Shôrinji Giwamonken of north, becoming thus the main 21e of this school after a ceremony of recognition to the temple Shaolin.

SO flees of Mandchourie before the Russian invasion and returned in 1945 in Japan devastated by the war. It started to practice Jû Jutsu before founding the Japanese Shôrinji Kempo on October 25th, 1947, based on the philosophical principles of the Bouddha and on the techniques of Arahan No Ken where it became Master in his youth in China. In fact, its art required discipline and a work with two paramount for a physical and intellectual development, and Shôrinji Kempo synthesized an martial art based on philosophical precepts, having for goal to link the men and to give again a direction with the words courage and justice by preaching food “half for oneself, half for the others”. This martial art experienced a great development and the title of large Master is now carried by the girl of SO. The seat of its association is with Shikoku, a Japanese island.

Shōrinji Kempo in the world

The majority movement of Shōrinji Kempo in the world is World Shorinji Kempo Organization (W.S.K.O.), whose seat is located at the Japan, with Tadotsu, on the island of Shikoku.

Currently one counts 1.200.000 practitioners with the Japan and nearly 300.000 in 28 other countries.

The European head office of the W.S.K.O is in France.

This style of Kempo is quite distinct from the other schools. Indeed, the " term; Kempo" results in " boxe" (method of the fist, art of the fist…).
All over the world Kempo is presented in very variable forms, but is generally declined like an alternative rather violent and very little spiritual of crossbred karate of projections and combat with armes.

Even if that is not recognized officially, much dojos all over the world left (or were excluded) of the W.S.K.O., and continue to teach Shōrinji Kempo.

Since 1997 there exists an organized small group not forming part of the W.S.K.O. : international Shōrinji Kempo Seïgido Ryu (I.S.K.S.R.), whose seat is in France. Its founder is François-Xavier Albertini (4th daN WSKO and 6th daN FFKDA). Still little developed, it gathers ten dojos in France, with the Morocco and in Italy.

In 2005 in Italy was founded second federal small group, him such an independent of the W.S.K.O. : Accademia Shōrinji Kempo-Ryu (A.S.K.R.), which includes/understands 5 dojos in Rome (1 dojo), Aquila (1 dojo, close to Rome), Milan (1 dojo) and Messina (2 dojos, in Sicily).

Shōrinji Kempo in France

Going down from the one of the five families from will samurai originating in the island of Kyûshû, Aosaka Hiroshi Sensei was born on April 19th, 1946 in Tsukumishi, in the prefecture of Oita. Into 17 years, it integrates Nihon University de Tōkyō. Initially interested by studies veterinary surgeons, it is directed towards the economy. It is there (whereas it practices Jūdo and JūJutsu since the 9 years age) which it discovers Shōrinji Kempo under the cane of Uno Sensei. Appearing excellent candidate, he becomes the trainer of the university team. Diploma out of pocket, it works during two years and half as a jeweller, in Ginza, fashionable district of Tōkyō. In addition, it improves at Kaïso.

In 1972, this one authorizes it to leave for Europe. It chooses to settle in France, where it starts to exempt its teaching with practitioners black belts come from various horizons (Karatedo, Jūdo, Aikido), then creates its first dojo in Parly II, in Chesnay (78). Aosaka Senseï having for mission of developing Shōrinji Kempo in Europe, the French federation of Shōrinji Kempo is founded in 1973 which it chairs as an Chief technical officer for France, in addition to being a General secretary of the WSKO (World Shōrinji Kempo Organization), Chef Instructor of the WSKO and member of the Management Committee of Kongo Zen Sohozan Shōrinji Kempo. At present it is 8th daN (WSKO and FFKDA).

Since 1997, Shōrinji Kempo made its entry within the French federation of Karate and disciplines associated (FFKDA), and separated in two groups: the old French federation of Shōrinji Kempo directed by Aosaka Sensei (37 dojos), become the " group; France Shōrinji Kempo" , and " groups it; Seïgidō Ryu" (school of the way of the happy medium) founded by François-Xavier Albertini 6th daN (FFKDA) (5 dojos in France), a former assistant of Aosaka Sensei.

Principles

Shōrinji Kempo is a system of total education of which the goal is to seek to improve the conditions of life in society, developing of each one the altruism, the direction of justice and courage.

It is based on a method of coil-defense, answering as well the close combat as with the remote combat, like on exercises intended to maintain and improve the physical condition.

In addition to its techniques, he dissociates similar disciplines by his reference to the Budo, made up of “Drunk”, “to stop the lance”, and of “C”, “the way” or “the means”, and which mean “to stop violence”.

In that, Shōrinji Kempo claims to be a method of pacification (negative emotions) and of socialization.

Techniques

Shōrinji Kempo offers several aspects; the diversity of the techniques which are taught associates techniques close to the Karate, Jūjutsu and Aïkido, drawing mainly its origins in the Chinese boxing of Shaolin and in Japanese Jujutsu. The Goho techniques gather the techniques known as “hard” of punches and kicks. The techniques Juho, known as “flexible” techniques, aim to immobilize the adversary by means of keys of arm carried out mainly on the level of the wrist, the elbow or the shoulder, or to project it. The Seïho techniques relate to at the same time the knowledge and the control of the whole of the vital points (Kyushos), and the techniques of back in shape and breathing.

After a general heating of the body, the course begin with work from the bases, Kihon: Kenshi, only or by two, are exerted with the techniques of fists (tsuki), feet (keri) and parades (uke) on the rate/rhythm given by their professor. Then work comes from application: the randori. Kenshi meet and dispute combat, during which they generally carry protections (drill plate, helmet and gloves…). A top graded (Sempaï) referee engagements. At the end of Randoris, there is not gaining nor of loser: the only goal is to take part.

With the emergence of the second current of Shōrinji Kempo in France (the Shōrinji Kempo Seïgido Ryu of François-Xavier Albertini), an evolution of the randori will be done in direction of the free combat, such as one can hear it for example in Lutte contact. Indeed, in Seïgido one studies thoroughly the techniques of fight upright, but also on the ground, not in the idea to add, still, of the disparate techniques to the technical corpus packed already well of Shōrinji Kempo, but with the objective to try out with more density reality of the all-in wrestling. In Shōrinji Kempo, the goho and the juho are not separate. In Shōrinji Kempo Seïgido Ryu the bond is the all-in wrestling " with arm the corps" … This news appoche of the combat, where a great part is given to spontaneousness, made it possible to clarify the technique of Shōrinji Kempo under one day new.

Progressively of their progression, at the time of the passages of ranks Kenshi are questioned on codified sequences (called Hokeï), which are 14 in Shōrinji Kempo. These sequences of Goho techniques, are only practiced (tanen) or to two (sotaï).
At two (even to three and sometimes more), Kenshi develop Embu, which is a sequence pre-established of attacks and parades on techniques at the same time Goho and Juho, and that they will present at the time of Taïkaï (great meetings of the practitioners of Shōrinji Kempo, with training course and technical competition).

Philosophy

The philosophy taught in Shōrinji Kempo comes from Kongo Zen, the Zen of the " diamant" (this image of diamond is used because it has this quality to be bright and indestructible). It supports the development of the individual and affirms that each one should draw its physical force and its mental/spiritual force only in itself. The martial techniques practiced in Shôrinji Kempô can be dangerous, to see mortals. Kenshi must thus be controlled to control the techniques which are taught to him, and for this reason Shōrinji Kempo refers to Bouddhistes precepts. There are six basic principles:

拳褝一如 Ken Zen Ichi Nyo : joint drive of the body and the spirit (unit of the technique and philosophy)
力愛不二 Riki Have Funi : indissociable harmony of the force and the compassion
守主攻従 Shushu Kōju : priority of defense on the attack
不殺活人 Fusatsu Katsujin : to help and build instead of destroying
剛柔一体 Gōjū Ittaï : unit of Goho and Juho, i.e. parity of the hard and flexible techniques
組手主体 Kumite Shutaï : need for involving itself to two in order to improve

During the drive, the professors insist on the fact that the goal of Shorinji Kempo is not to create " guerriers" , but to train individuals able to include/understand and help the autres.
So that Shōrinji Kempo is not that a simple group of techniques of combat, philosophical teaching is indispensable.
" Ken Zen Ichi Nyo" is the synthesis of this philosophy. It is the central point of Kongo Zen, and each following precept represents an aspect of it:
" Riki Have Funi" is the philosophical aspect and " Shushu Kōju" its practical aspect, " Fusatsu Katsujin" in is the social aspect, " Gōjū Ittaï" represent the nature of the techniques and " Kumite Shutaï" is its application during the entraînement.

Kenshi must thus know these precepts, and also put these five basic principles in practice:

the label : it is the image which Kenshi gives of itself. As a practitioner of Shôrinji Kempô, it represents its art and must thus show an positive image of its discipline and itself. A " healthy spirit in a body sain" , to some extent…
the attitude: if the image which Kenshi reflects is positive, its behavior and its acts owe the being too. Also Kenshi must be respectful, as well towards its teachers and its partners in the Budo as he studies, which with people out of Shōrinji Kempo in the life of the every day. It must adopt a positive attitude in its relations and all that it undertakes, in connection with the teaching of Bouddha.
Gassho Rei : When a practitioner of Kempo enters a Dojo, the first thing which it makes is to greet Manji or the Ken emblem (the emblem used in Occident), and of the same when it leaves the place of drive. It makes also Gassho Rei during the drive: with its partner before (Onegajimasu: please) and after (Arigato gosaïmashita: thank you very much) the study of a technique or Randori, with its professor to thank it for having explained a technique and to teach its knowledge to him. Gassho Rei is a deep mark of respect which should not be made with scorn; Kenshis are greeted while being looked in the eyes with humilité.
Kyakka Shoko : the respect of the place of drive (the Dojo), and of any other place in general, which is characterized by the withdrawal of the shoes (and the socks) not to dirty, a clean dogi and a neat arrangement of the personal businesses, reflecting a person ordonnée.
Habituellement, one translates this maxim by " Examine the surface of the ground in front of your pieds".
the idea is to attempt to carry out the things which are with our range and which we can make, and in particular very simple things as to arrange its bag well when one is obliged to bring back it in the room of drive, and to place its zooris well (sandals " japonaises") while going up on the tatami.
not to disperse, and make what is of our responsibility, it is Kyakka Shoko.
Samu : the maintenance of the place of drive. Kenshis are activated to clean Dojo before and after the drive, so that the place remains as clean as before their passage, and to excuse any obstructs caused by their presence. In this manner they show of humility and discretion, but also altruism.

External bonds

France Shōrinji Kempo (F.S.K.)
World Shōrinji Kempo Organization (W.S.K.O.)

International Shōrinji Kempo Seïgido Ryu (I.S.K.S.R.)

Accademia Shōrinji Kempo-Ryu (A.S.K.R.)

Random links: