Shorinji Kempo Curriculum Portable
Goho includes offensive and defensive striking techniques. Students learn to use the whole body to generate power and deflect attacks.
: A core focus is practicing with partners to build empathy and understanding, emphasizing that "half for oneself, half for others". 少林寺拳法公式サイト Practitioner Insights Shorinji Kempo Curriculum for Yudansha - 少林寺拳法
Shorinji Kempo is far more than a martial art; it is a comprehensive system of self-defense, physical training, and character development founded on the principles of Buddhism. Unlike combat sports focused solely on winning, Shorinji Kempo integrates the physical ( and juho ) with the mental and spiritual ( seiho and philosophy ).
Before understanding the physical syllabus, one must understand the "Teki" (enemy). Doshin So famously taught, "The enemy is within." Consequently, the curriculum is not about defeating an opponent but about polishing the spirit. shorinji kempo curriculum
Securing an attacker safely on the ground once they have been thrown. 3. Seihō (The Healing Methods)
Increased technical difficulty, mandatory teaching roles, and a requirement to hold the grade for several years (e.g., 3 years for 2nd Dan) before testing again. Conclusion
This article takes a deep dive into the Shorinji Kempo curriculum, exploring its technical categories, rank structure, philosophical foundations, grading system, and the inner workings of a typical training session. Goho includes offensive and defensive striking techniques
As kenshi progress, they move through yellow, orange, green, blue, and brown belts, with each level introducing new, more complex techniques.
“Defend the dummy.”
Practicing predefined paired technical sequences. One partner acts as the attacker ( Atakeru ) and the other as the defender ( Ukeru ). Doshin So famously taught, "The enemy is within
Class begins and ends with quiet, seated Zen meditation accompanied by the recitation of the Shorinji Kempo Dokun (precepts).
Students 12 years or younger follow a specialized curriculum that omits gyaku waza (joint-locking techniques) to ensure safety, allowing them to focus on foundational movements.
Training requires equal parts mental focus (Zen meditation and philosophy) and physical execution (martial techniques).
Focuses on "hard" strikes, including punches ( Tsuki ), kicks ( Keri ), and blocks ( Uke ). Practitioners learn to use the body's momentum rather than brute strength.
