Shorinji Kempo was founded in Japan in 1947 by Doshin So, but
its origins can be traced back as far as India, 5000 years ago.
Physical techniques spread, along with Buddhism into China settling
at the Shaolin monastery. Kempo techniques were practiced by the
monks of the monastery who used it for spiritual and physical
training.
The Imperial Chinese Government, fearing its fighting monks, destroyed
the Shaolin temple. But Kempo was kept alive by various secret
societies as a method of protection from bandits and corrupt officials.
During this time, many different styles of Kempo evolved.
Before the second World War, Doshin So travelled widely in China
studying many of these various forms of Kempo and he became the
official Head (the only ever non-Chinese person to do so) of the
Northern Shaolin Iher Man Thuen. Repatriated to Japan after the
War, Doshin So saw the anarchy and mob rule created after the
war and he decided to devote the remainder of his life to developing
people who would help to create a better society.
Doshin So decided to use the principals of Buddhism as a foundation
for his teachings but he soon realised that words alone were not
sufficient. So the founder set up a dojo where he refined and
organised all he had learnt in the martial arts into his own system.
These physical techniques, combined with the philosophy
he taught (Kongo Zen) constitute Shorinji Kempo.
The headquarters of the World Shorinji Kempo Organisation is in
Tadotsu, a small fishing village where Shorinji Kempo was founded
and removed the local Yakuza who effectively controlled the town.
To date, Shorinji Kempo has over 1.5 million members world-wide
and is studied in over 28 countries, including 10 in Europe.
The Bristol University Shorinji Kempo Club is a member of the
British Shorinji Kempo Federation which was established in 1974
by its Chief Instructor Sensei T. Mizuno.
