Shorinji Kempo Technique Families

Sensei Cailey Barker 01.01.03

The Shorinji Kempo syllabus is built up of technique families. These were created by

Kaiso (the founder) in order to group the Northern Shaolin techniques he learnt in China

into categories of similar characteristics and to make it easier to learn and memorize. The

family names used were retained from original Chinese characters, while the techniques

were re-named entirely. As the curriculum was modernized over time, the original

categorization by Kaiso outlined in the Kyohan (instructors manual), has altered slightly.

In the current syllabus, there are over 600 techniques, comprising: 220 Goho and Juho,

practiced from hidari/migi (left/right) and ura/omote (front/reverse) forms; Katame waza

(locks) and Appo (pressure point) techniques. The technique family names all end with

the word "ken", meaning "fist", as in "kempo".

GOHO TECHNIQUES

Nio ken (Ken of 'Two Deva Kings'(1)

The Nio ken family is the first and most basic set of goho techniques. They are an

essential part of training to fully master the basics. They serve to enable a kenshi to learn

two vital elements of Shorinji Kempo: Shu Shu Ko Ju (Defense is primary, offence is

secondary) and Kosen Hisho (in fighting one must be aware of what comes before and

the consequence of what comes after). The techniques comprise a single hand attack to

Jodan (choku zuki, furi zuki or shuto uchi - usually from gyaku) and a block and counter

attack. There are two exceptions where the attack is to Chudan. In total there are 21

techniques in the kyohan, or 23 techniques in the current syllabus. e.g. Ryusui geri,

Kusshin zuki, Soto uke dan zuki

Sango ken (Ken of 'Three Meeting'(2)

The Sango ken family comprises of techniques, which have a single hand or foot attack

to Chudan (choku zuki, gyaku geri or mawashi geri). The defense is a block followed by

a chudan geri counterattack. They are characterized by the chudan attack and defense,

and that they comprise mostly of kicks. The kamae (stance) varies greatly so it's

important to pay attention to them. There are 9 techniques, e.g. Shita uke geri, Han

tenshin geri.

Tenon ken (Ken of 'Son of Heaven')

The Tenno ken family consists of techniques with multiple hand or foot attacks,

beginning with Jodan zuki. The defense is from ichiji gamae and, after a series of blocks,

usually has a chudan geri counter attack. The key element of the techniques is ikkyo

rengeki (series of attacks in one action). They are carried out virtually simultaneously

with the kiai and emphasis on the final attack. There are 9 techniques, e.g. Tsuki ten ichi,

Furi ten ni, Tsuki ten san.

Byakuren ken (Ken of 'White Lotus')

The Byakuren ken family of techniques emphasize the use of blocking and counter

attacking with the same hand (although not exclusively). The two moves are carried out

quickly in one flowing move. The techniques tend to be graceful with tai sabaki (foot

work) a key component, followed by ren han ko. There are 9 techniques, e.g. Tsubame

gaeshi, Harai uke dan zuki.

Chio ken (Ken of 'Earth King')

The Chio ken family consists of techniques with multiple hand or foot attacks. They are

similar to Tenno ken but usually begin with chudan geri. There are 6 techniques, e.g. Jun

geri chi ichi, Fukko chi ni.

Kakuritsu ken (Ken of 'Standing Crane')

The Kakuritsu ken techniques are based upon a defense and counter attack from

kakuritsu dachi (stance from standing on one leg). The defense usually involves hiza uke

followed by a geri counter attack. The block and counter attack are based on Haro

kyakugeki, which is a flowing wave motion of kicking, e.g. Kinteki geri hiza uke nami

gaeshi, Mawashi geri sambo uke nami gaeshi.

JUHO TECHNIQUES

Ryuo ken (Ken of 'Dragon God')

The Ryuo ken family is the first and most basic set of juho techniques. They allow kenshi

to develop an understanding of Shu Shu Ko Ju (Defense is primary, offence is

secondary), in that the first priority is to always protect and defend before advancing to

the next action. They comprise entirely of nuki waza (escape techniques). Each technique

comprises of a defense and counter attack with essential elements of tai gamae, umpo ho,

tai sabaki and shuho, which create the basic building blocks for all techniques. It is

essential to learn these techniques before progressing to gyaku, dori and nage waza

(twisting, locking and throwing techniques). The first technique (Ryuo ken dai ichi) is

Kote nuki. In total there are 27 techniques in the kyohan, or 32 techniques in the current

syllabus, e.g. Juji nuki, Johaku nuki, Morote oshi nuki.

Ryuka ken (Ken of 'Dragon Flower')

The Ryuka ken family is a key set of gyaku and nage waza which make up the majority of

juho techniques. The Ryuka ken techniques are said to be carried out by Chikara sanbu

waza nanabu (strength takes a third and skill takes a seventh to make a successful

technique). Thus, most are invariably difficult to master and have a subtle 'knack'. To

obtain the 'knack' it requires a large amount of practice on a number of different partners

and learning from an experienced instructor.

The techniques are divided into 6 sub-categories: Gyaku gote style; Okuri gote style;

Oshi gote; Juji gote; Kiri gote and Konoha style. All the techniques that follow in the

sub-categories are variations of the original technique (whereby the attacker adapts to

push or twist etc.). There are a total of 56 techniques in the kyohan, or 59 techniques in

the current syllabus.

Rakan ken (Ken of 'Buddha's Disciples'(3)

The Rakan Ken family also makes up a large component of advanced Juho techniques,

comprising mostly of dori waza and taoshi (takedowns). The techniques are a

combination of Northern Shaolin styles, Rakan Shu (old Japanese style), Hashiki

(grasping styles) and Mongolian combat techniques, etc. At a more senior level the

techniques are often defenses to Judo style grapples and throws.

As with Ryuka ken, there is a specific 'knack', which must be achieved to master the

techniques. There are a total of 47 techniques in the kyohan, or 48 techniques in the

current syllabus, e.g. Johaku dori, Maki otoshi, Sode maki gaeshi. This does not include

the Rakan Appo (pressure point) techniques, of which there are 35 in the 6th Dan

syllabus.

Goka ken (Ken of 'Five Flowers')

The Goka ken family comprises advanced, black belt nage waza and Go Ju Ittai

techniques (unity of hard and soft). The principle behind this philosophy being that it is

difficult to rely on only Goho or Juho techniques and that a combination of the two

provides a better chance of success in self defense. The techniques are divided into 5

sub-categories: Uwa uke nage style; Katate nage style; Kannuki nage; Bokkutsu nage;

and Tembin style. As Ryuka ken, the techniques that follow in the sub-categories are

variations of the original technique. There are a total of 26 techniques.

Kongo ken (Ken of Diamond Strength'(4)

The Kongo ken family comprises solely of Katame waza and Ho gi (locking and

grasping) techniques. They are a revision of various Kongo kengo no sei techniques from

Northern Shaolin Ha shiki and Da ho (grasping and holding) techniques. There are a total

of 27 techniques in the kyohan, or 7 techniques and 20 locks in the current syllabus, e.g.

Ude juji gatame, Okuri tembin dori, Ura gatame.

Notes:

1. Two guardian monks placed at temple gates.

2. A reported ill-omened astrological meeting of Jupiter and the Moon at an auspicious time of year.3. An abbreviation of

Arakan, meaning 'deserving worship'. A term applied to the final stage and highest attainment in the path to Buddhist

enlightenment.

4. Kongo means solidness or something that cannot be broken, and refers to the philosophy of building a solid state in which

one is able to crush their worries stemming from desire.

Translations from Kyohan by David Wertheim