Shorinji Kempo

[Towetta]

I am about to begin martial arts classes just to learn self-defence, and I have discovered Shorinji Kempo is being taught in my hometown.
I have seen a pair of classes and looks pretty good, although I saw there is nearly no sparring in the classes.
¿Can anybody tell me if this art is good and realistic for self defense? ¿Any ring/ street experiencies with it?

Thanks!

[ryanwp941979]

I have heard that this is one group to stay away from, unless this is a diff. group than the one with which I am familiar.
USE GOOGLE.
ps- a group of SJK people operated in my hometown years ago, and the technique seemed like Parker's kenpo, but with lower stances.

[Thai Bri]

I have never trianed Shorinji Kenpo, and have never been to a class to see them in the flesh. I have seen them on film and read a little about their training philosophy.

I have a few concerns about their cult like following of their leaders. It sems to be a little over the top.

I don't like the fact that they train in set patterns too much. They have these two people Katas, where one guy attacks in a very exact and predetermined manner, and the other defends in a similar fashion. They seem to think that this will transfer to a real fight. I don't.

That's about it!

[luar]

Hello,

I am a practitioner of Shorinji Kempo and came across this thread. I can answer some of the questions and concerns as well as direct you to our website for more answer. Below are my responses to the main points discussed so far.

1. Shorinji Kempo is not a cult, we just take our philosophy seriously. Some styles say they are philosophical or spiritual but you never really see it. Our founder witnessed many horrors during WWII and at the end of the war concluded that only a strong and moral society depended on the quality of the inidividual. Thus Shorinji Kempo is a system of education that helps develop character. The only thing Shorinji Kempo asks of its members is too try your very best. You are not asked to shave your heads, chant Hari Krishna or any of that other stuff.

2. Shorinji Kempo does do sparring. In fact as I write this I am very much feelign the aches from last night's randori practice.

3. Like some other styles, Shorinji Kempo does not believe in competitive fighting. The reasons are the same many other martial arts such as Aikido. We don't consider this a sport and part of our philosophy is that we all work together rather than in competition. Years ago a Shorinji Kempo 6th Dan, who studied under our founder, broke away from our organization and created Bayakuren Kempo Karate which is highly tournament style. I have one of his videos and most of the techniques are minor variations of ours.

3. Regarding the comment about us training in set patterns, most of our katas can be performed by yourself and with a partner. The reason they can be donw with a partner is simply because it allows you to actually experience the kata rather than with an imaginary opponent(s). At the same time, we use this as a tool to teach cooperation. You cannot perform any self-defense technique unless you have a partner to practice with. In addition since every single one of us are different in terms height, weight, conditioning, flexibility, etc., then no kata is ever the same when you are ask to work with a different partner. In no way do we assume this is how a real fight should be but still it is part of our basic training and a our foundation. This is why do practice sparring.

My final words about my experience with Shorinji Kempo is that if you are really interested in tournament fighting or just strictly self-defense, then by all means there are other great styles that can take you there much faster than we can as this would be their primary focus. But if you are looking for something that is not only effective self-defense but is very much committed to being philosophical rather than just saying they are, then please give us try.