Shorinji Kempo

Kempo was founded by So Doshin (1911-80) in 1947 (Showa 22). He traveled to China in the early Showa period and traveled around the country, studying under Master Chin Ryo and other martial artists of various schools. He then trained under the 20th master of Northern Shaolin Gihemen Martial Arts, Bun Taizong, and in 1936 entered the Shorinji Temple and received the Inka of Denpo. After returning to Japan, he organized various kendo techniques, added his own ingenuity and reorganized them, naming them Shorinji Kempo (the proper name of the Shorinji Kempo Federation), and founded Kongo Zen, a new way of training people that focuses on kendo techniques.

The techniques of Shorinji Kempo are made up of three methods and 25 systems: Goho (thrusts, strikes, kicks, etc.), Juho (pulling techniques, reverse techniques, throwing techniques, etc.), and Seiho (bone setting, etc.), which are based on the principles of Oriental medicine. The training methods are broadly divided into three types: Hogata, Enbu, and Randori. Hogata are forms, and refer to individual techniques performed by two people. Enbu is a unique training method in which participants freely combine the Hogata they have learned to continuously perform offensive and defensive techniques against each other in order to improve their skills. Randori is a training method in which participants freely use Hogata and applied techniques against each other to learn how to use the techniques. Each training method is aimed not only at improving their skills, but also at leading a harmonious life. Through these practices, Kongo Zen aims to develop people with compassion, courage, and a strong sense of justice, and its teachings of true peace have spread throughout the world, with the organization now having 2,900 branches throughout Japan and in 31 countries overseas (as of September 2006).

[Shorinji Kempo Federation]

“Shorinji Kempo Ougi” written by Domin Sou (1975, Tokyo Shoten) ▽ “Shorinji Kempo” written by the Shorinji Kempo Federation (1995, Seibidoshuppan)”

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

宗道臣(そうどうしん)（1911―80）が1947年（昭和22）に創始した拳法。彼は昭和初期中国に渡り、中国各地を巡歴して、陳良(ちんりょう)老師をはじめ各派の拳士に師事後、北少林(ほくしょうりん)義和門拳20代師父文太宗の下で修行、1936年少林寺に入山して、伝法の允可(いんか)を受けた。帰国後各種の拳技を整理し、これに創意工夫を加え再編し、少林寺拳法（少林寺拳法連盟の固有の名称）と名づけ、拳技を主行とする新しい人づくりの道、金剛禅を開基した。

　少林寺拳法の技法は、東洋医学の原理を応用した剛法（突き、打ち、蹴(け)るなど）、柔法（抜き技、逆技、投げ技など）、整法（整骨など）の三法二十五系で構成される。その修練法は、法形、演武、乱捕りの3種類に大別される。法形とは形であり、2人で行う個々の技術をさす。演武とは、修得した法形を自由に組み合わせて、互いに攻防技術を連続して行い、上達を図る独得の修練法である。乱捕りは、互いに法形や応用技を自由に駆使して、技の運用法を修得する修練法である。各修練法は、技の上達だけでなく、つねに調和のとれた生き方を身につけさせることを目的としている。これらの修行を通して慈悲心と勇気と正義感の強い人間を育成し、真の平和を目ざす金剛禅の教えは、世界にも広がり、組織は日本全国で2900支部、海外31か国に及んでいる（2006年9月現在）。

［少林寺拳法連盟］

『宗道臣著『少林寺拳法奥儀』（1975・東京書店）』▽『少林寺拳法連盟著『少林寺拳法』（1995・成美堂出版）』

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例