About Shorinji Kempo
History
Shorinji Kempo was founded by Doshin So in 1947 in Tadotsu, Japan. Also known as Kaiso (founder), Doshin So had studied martial arts under several masters, and was inspired to create a practice whereby people could train and develop their skills together.
Kaiso recognised the potential of martial arts to cultivate confidence, courage, mutual respect and cooperation among young people. He saw these attributes as essential to rebuilding Japan following the aftermath of World War II.
“If society is managed by humans,” he said, “then the only true peace is to come from nurturing kindness, courage and a sense of justice among as many people as possible.”
To create a world in which everyone could live in harmony, Kaiso took martial arts he had studied and formulated them into a single, unique technical structure he called Shorinji Kempo. It became a practice that anyone could study to encourage a healthy balance of mind and body, to build confidence and learn mutual respect.
The World Shorinji Kempo Organisation was inaugurated In 1974 and today, Shorinji Kempo is practiced all over the world by people of diverse religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds. As a common bond, Shorinji Kempo has encouraged friendships and events that span the globe, promoting international exchanges across boundaries of race, culture, religion and language.
Shorinji Kempo in New Zealand
The founding of Shorinji Kempo in New Zealand goes back to 1972, when Suguru Kunita, a student from Kyoto University, Japan, began teaching in Central Auckland. The CBD club was officiated in 1974 and has operated continuously since then. There are now three more branches in Auckland, as well as branches in New Plymouth and Blenheim.
Following Suguru Kunita’s return to Japan in 1975, Takeshi Hamada, another student from Kyoto, taught at the Auckland club until 1978. Takashi Uenishi was the last student from Kyoto to teach at the club in those early founding days. The dedication of Shorinji Kempo’s first instructors will always be remembered and respected.
Peter Monk, who was the first foreigner to live and train at the Shorinji Kempo headquarters in Japan, was Branch Master in Auckland for more than 20 years. Peter is a 6th Dan Black Belt and is now Branch Master in New Plymouth. Peter has been a strong influence in the development and survival of Shorinji Kempo in New Zealand.
Fifty years on from the founding of Shorinji Kempo in New Zealand, there have been hundreds of kenshi (students or practitioners of Shorinji Kempo) who have achieved the rank of black belt. Today we have a large number of black belts (who come together monthly to practise) plus a strong team of kenshi practising from white belt through the various grades (of yellow, green, and brown belts for our adult grading system). Our members range in age from 7 to over 70.
Techniques
Shorinji Kempo includes a broad curriculum of self-defense techniques that have been developed on the basis of dynamics and physiology to allow anyone to protect themselves, regardless of physical strength or size. Techniques fall into two categories – ‘goho’ (hard method) and ‘juho’ (soft method). Punches and kicks as defensive counter-attacks and blocks are called ‘goho’, and defensive counter-attacks against grabs, for example to the wrist or clothing, escapes, pins, dodges and releases are ‘juho’.
Also included in Shorinji Kempo classes is the practice of seiho and seikotsu which equates to pressure point massage and muscle/skeletal alignment therapy techniques.
Shorinji Kempo trains both the mind and the body to keep a good balance between them. The goal of regular practice is not about competing, but to learn from each other and progress together in a supportive, encouraging environment. Practicing Shorinji Kempo techniques and learning its philosophy will give you the capacity to develop physical strength and a never-give-up attitude.