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