Shorinji Kempo

History of Shorinji Kempo

Shorinji Kempo refers to the Japanese martial art formed by So Doshin in 1947. So Doshin based this martial art on the techniques he had learnt in his 17 years working in China as a special agent for the Japanese government during WWII. This work had brought him into contact with numerous Chinese secret societies, from which he learnt various Chinese fighting arts. "Shorinji Kempo" is the Japanese reading for the Chinese characters "Shaolin Ji Chuan-fa", or fist-method of the Shaolin Temple, and does not refer to the Chinese martial art known commonly as Shaolin Kung Fu in the West - this is referred to as "Shorin Ken", or Shaolin Fist, in Japanese.

So Doshin chose the name Shorinji Kempo because he based his techniques on those of the Shaolin arts, as well as others, nowhere does he or any official of Shorinji Kempo claim that he created this techniques himself. He acknowledges the source of these techniques. Furthermore, in creating Shorinji Kempo he hoped to carry on the tradition of the Shaolin Temple in creating an art which trained both mind and body. In Shorinji Kempo he hoped to combine the spirit of the training method of the Indian monk Bodhidharma (Tamo in China and Daruma in Japan), which cultivates both mind and body, and the teachings of Buddha which emphasize self-reliance.

Doshin's dream was to cultivate in the youth of Japan compassion, cooperation, and the determination to stand up for justice, and thus contribute in rebuilding Japan from the ashes of World War II to a country that was stronger, spiritually and not militarily. This dream is carried on by Kenshi (trainees in Shorinji Kempo) throughout Japan, and in countries all over the world.

Shorinji Kempo Links

Shorinji Kempo General Information
Websites containing general information, history, and techniques.

Shorinji Kempo Magazines
Online Magazines.

Shorinji Kempo Organizations
Organizations, Federations, and Schools.