Menu

Main

Info

News

Contact

Photos

Links

Principles

^Principles

Meditation (Seiku)

I am my own refuge and source o strength.  On whom may I rely if not myself?

With self wisely disciplined I find a truly rare and precious fountain of strength.

By doing evil, I contaminate myself.  By not doing evil I purify myself.

Purity and impurity come from within, and other cannot purify my heart.

Oath (Seigan)

We pledge to follow the principles of SHORINJI KEMPO  in practice and in daily life:

   To affirm the founder

   To be honest with our teachers

   To respect those ahead of us

   To not disdain those behind use

   To give as well as to receive help

   To cooperate, and 

   To give ourselves to contributing to the Way.

We pledge to set aside our preoccupations in learning this art as if we were    new-born children.

We pledge to use this art only to help people and never for reputation or profit.

Creed (Shinjo)

Mindful that our spirits come from DHARMA and our bodies from our parents, we acknowledge our debts and express our gratitude by applying ourselves to the full. 

We resolve ourselves to making the country worthy of love by improving the lives of its people.

We resolve ourselves to become men and women of true courage who love justice, foster peace, respect humanity and act with decorum.

We strive to improve the world by practicing the principles of KONGO ZEN, strengthening ourselves mentally and physically and sharing this purpose with others in mutual friendship respect and support.

Help To Pass Your 1st Grading

When I first started Shorinji Kempo, I was very frustrated because I did not know what I needed to do to pass my first grading.  The purpose of this web page is to ensure that all the Minerai (that is, ungraded students), can be pass their first grading without having to deal with all the confusion.  Once you pass your first one, you wont need much more help because things start to roll really easily once you are a 'gokyu'.

This is how the grading system works in Australia.

If you are new, you should be able to obtain your brown belt within 12 months, if you grade at each of the three gradings held annually.  You will need to attend classes regularly though.

Now here is the nit and gritty of what you need to learn to get the wheels turning.  I have provided as much and as accurate information as possible.  When I provide a full translation, I do so because I know it, if I don't know it I will explain it or tell you what I think it means.  Sometimes there are words that just don't translate directly from Japanese to English!  Hence the following guide will not necessarily have the consistency of "English word, followed by Japanese word, followed by description."  Don't be too worried about this.  This guide is meant to be easy to understand, and if you learn the vocabulary together with physical techniques off by heart, you should be able to get the 100% score, and you only need 70% to pass.

(CLICK HERE TO LEARN HOW TO TIE YOUR BELT!)

Stance (Kamae)

Note: The word 'kamae' by itself means stance, but when used with a description it becomes 'gamae' as in 'kaisoku chuudan gamae.'  When holding your stance, keep yourself relatively strong and firm, meaning that for example if I were to slap your fist, your fist would hold it's position.  It is also very important for you to keep your back straight.

kaisoku chuudan gamae

This is a training stance.  Both forearms are parallel with the ground, and each fist is holding an imaginary broomstick.  Both elbows hold 'eggs' against ribs.  Both feet are parallel, pointing straight forward, and slightly wider than shoulders.  

hidari chuudan gamae

(left 'chuudan' stance) chuudan is the attacking type stance.  Front (left) forearm almost parallel with the ground, and pointed at opponent's stomach.  Backhand is pointed at opponent's face, and at a distance from your chest as if you had just pulled off some chest hairs with your backhand.  Both elbows are 'holding eggs' against ribs.  Weight distribution of this stance is 50% on front foot and 50% on back foot.  Front foot pointing to 1 o'clock and back foot pointing to 2 o'clock.

migi chuudan gamae 

(right 'chuudan' stance)

hidari ichichi gamae

This is a more defensive stance than 'chuudan gamei' .  In this stance the front foot is still pointing to 1 o'clock, and the back foot is still pointing to 2 o'clock like in 'chuudan gamei'.  However the weight is distributed 75% on the back foot and 25% on the front foot.  The back(gyaku) hand is a fist pointed at the opponent's face, and it is placed just under your chin and one fist's distance away from your own chest.  The front (jun) hand is open

and fingers are pointing toward sideways, NOT toward your opponent.

migi ichichi gamae

(right 'ichichi gamae')

hasso gamae

This is a very strong defensive stand.  Both hands are open as if you are holding an imaginary beach ball.  Your weight is 75% on your back and 25% on your front.  The front foot is still pointing to 1 o'clock, and the back foot is still pointing to 2 o'clock like in 'chuudan gamae'.

Footwork (Ashi=Foot/Leg)

mae chidori ashi

(forward/in front; diagonal)

ushiro chidori ashi

(backward, diagonal)

kani ashi

(crab foot)

this is a left/right sideways movement

kumo ashi

(spider foot)

this is a diagonal forward/backward hopping movement 

jyuji ashi

(cross foot)

this can be a diagonal backward, a left or a right movement.

zentenkan

(180 degree turn)

head turns and looks over the shoulder which is pointing diagonally back.  front ('jun') foot draws a V.  The bottom of the 'V' is where the back foot is.  Then pivot around on in this position so that you now face 180 degrees the other away.  What was your front (jun) foot should now be your back foot and vice versa.  (NOTE: I HAVE NOT EXPLAINED HOW YOU SHOULD MOVE BACK, THEN FORWARD AND DO A BLOCK AS YOU DO THIS BECAUSE IT IS TOO HARD TO EXPLAIN).

hantenkan

(90 degree turn)

similar to zenten kan.  You look first draw a V with either your front or back leg, depending on your current stance and the direction you are turning.  (NOTE: I HAVE NOT EXPLAINED HOW YOU SHOULD MOVE BACK THEN FORWARD AND DO A BLOCK AS YOU DO THIS BECAUSE IT IS TOO HARD TO EXPLAIN). 

hiraki sagari ashi

(change from right foot forward stance to back foot forward stance)

Front foot moves to touch back foot then moves 45 degrees diagonally away from back foot, and your stance ins changed.

(NOTE: I HAVE NOT EXPLAINED HOW YOU SHOULD MOVE BACK AND DO A BLOCK AS YOU DO THIS BECAUSE IT IS TOO HARD TO EXPLAIN).

sashikomi ashi

For example if you want to sashikomi ashi then deliver a chuudan jun geri (front foot kick to mid section):  The back foot comes forward to meet the front foot, the front foot then delivers kick.  This sashikomi movement is a quick movement, and it is intended to bring you closer to your opponent quickly, and stealthily.

sashikae ashi

For example if you want to sashikai ashi then deliver a chuudan jun geri (front foot kick to mid section):  Twist body so that the front foot turns and rotates outward, and the back leg's knee almost touches the calf of front leg.  Weight should be transferred from e.g. 50%-50% back-front to 100% on front now, so that back leg can deliver chuudan jun geri (front foot kick to mid section).

Basic Vocabulary for Basic Goho (Basic 

Vocabulary for Basic Hard Techniques)

jo dan  = high part of opponent

chuu dan = mid section of opponent

tsuki = punch (but if used with a description, it will be 'zuki' as in 'chuudan zuki'.)

keri = kick (but if used with a description, it will be 'geri' as in 'chuudan geri'.)

uke = block 

jun = 'front'

gyaku = 'back' (The meaning of gyaku is actually opposite.)

Basic Goho (Basic Hard Techniques)

(NOTE: NOT ALL COMBINATIONS HAVE BEEN INCLUDED.  ONLY AN INDICATION.)

muchi = not a punch, but a flick of the hand.  Effective to stun opponent if you aim at somewhere like the face.  Try to relax your arm as you do this, and the back of your hand (not the front) strikes target.

gyaku chuudan zuki = back punch to mid-section.

furiko zuki = 'pendulum punch'.  This is simply a basic punch you do in kaisoku juudan gamae (training stance.)  In Shorinji Kempo you use your hips generate power, and this means you body will move in a pendulum like motion.

furi zuki = This punch is a hooking punch.  Make sure you alter your fist or else your thumb will become injured.  

jun geri = kick with front foot.

keri age = upward kick (not to be confused with 'taka geri' which means 'high kick'.

kenteki geri = groin kick.

mawashi geri = side kick to ribs.

sokuto geri = a strong kick delivered by drawing in kicking leg to hip and then pushing with hips outward to delivered the kick sideways (you will know what I mean when you try to do this  : )  . 

uwa uke = high block).

shita uke = low block.

harai uke = side sweeping block.  The motioin of 'harai uke' is as indicated by its name: a sweeping motion. 

shuto zuki = stiff hand to the top of head.  Uses an open hand with fingers together .  The fleshy part just above the wrist and below and the small finger is used to strike.  If you are taller than opponent strike down, if you are shorter strike up.

Ukemi (Rolls)

mae ukemi

(forward roll)

mae ukemi - giwaken dai ikkei - zenten kan

Forward roll (as you get up you are now facing your opponent), front hand punch to face, backhand punch to stomach--which then covers face whilst other hand moves to cover groin.  Weight now on back foot, therefore front foot kick to stomach.  Then do zentenkan to face forward again.

This roll is simply a roll you do in reaction to being pushed in the back.  If you are doing it correctly, you should roll at a 45 degree angle in order to avoid your opponent's direction of momentum. 

ushiro ukemi

(backward roll)

zentenkan - ushiro ukemi - giawken dai ikkei.

Backward roll (as you get up you are still facing your opponent), front hand punch to face, backhand punch to stomach--which then covers face whilst other hand moves to cover groin.  Weight is now on back foot, therefore front foot kick to stomach.

daisharin

(cartwheel)

daisharin - sahikomi ashi - sokutogeri - zenten kan

Cartwheel (as you land you are now facing your opponent).  sashikomi ashi, which is where the back foot comes forward to meet the front foot, the front foot then delivers kick.  Then sashikomi back into original position by letting kicking foot land where it started at the same time that back foot lands back where it started.

Single Form

tenchiken dai ikkei (refer to pink book and Phong's CD for this : )  )

ryuoken dai ikkei

This is just escaping from an attackers inside grab by using kotenuki, and followed by two punches, a kick and a block.

giwaken dai ikkei

From chuudan gamaei, front hand punch to face, backhand punch to stomach--which then covers face whilst other hand moves to cover groin.  Weight now on back foot, therefore front foot kick to stomach.

Pair Form

(NOTE: PAIR FORM TECHNIQUES DURING THE EXAM REQUIRE BOTH YOU AND YOUR PARTNER TO KNOW HOW TO ATTACK AND HOW TO DEFEND FOR EACH TECHNIQUE.

tenchiken dai ikkei

(look at pink book and CD)

Goho (Hard Techniques)

1.ryusui geri

(waterfall kick)

There is a mae (forward) ryusui geri, and an ushiro (back) ryusui geri.

2.uchiuke zuki

(face defence, punch)

3.uwauke zuki

(high block, punch)

Must be in tai gamae (both attacker and defender either in hidari/migi gamae).  Attacker attacks with high punch such as 'shuto zuki' Defender needs to step in and towards opponent as they block high.  The hand that is not blocking then delivers punch to mid section (chuudan zuki) then the blocking hand becomes a 'bear paw' to strike opponent's face.

4.shita uke geri

(high block, kick)

Attacker is in juudan gamae.  Defender is in Hasso gamae (the beach ball one).  Attacker does backhand punch for midsection ('gyaku chuudan zuki') and defender blocks with front hand kicks with back hand.  Note For Defender:  The hand that blocks, blocks; but the hand that doesn't block must become a fist as the blocking hand blocks in preparation to counter attack.) 

5.uwa uke, geri

(low block, kick)

6.tsukiten ichi

Attacker:  punch to (joodan) head then (chuudan) stomach.

Defender simply does uwa uke (high block) and shita uke (low block)

Juho (Soft Techniques)

1. udejuji gatame This is an attacking technique.  (~forming a cross using your arm and your opponents arm and attacking your opponents elbow)

2. kotenuki (escape from 1 hand inside grab)

3. gyakugote (escape from 1 hand inside grab, and then flip attacker to ground using their grabbing hand)

4. katate yorinuki (escape from 1 hand outside grab)

5. ryote yorinuki (escape from 2 hands outside grabs)

Web Page Designed by Tran 2002.