The origins of Shorinji Kempo
Shorinji Kempo was founded by Doshin So (Kaiso, or Founder) in Japan in 1947. Kaiso had recently returned from China, where he had worked on behalf of Japanese intelligence. As part of his cover as a Taoist monk he learned various forms of Chinese kung fu, and when founding Shorinji Kempo he combined his knowledge of these arts with his experience of various Japanese martial arts.
Kaiso was present at the end of the second world war. When the Russians invaded Manchuria, he realised that it was not the nationality of the person who determined their behaviour, but the quality of them as an individual.
Eventually he returned to Japan, to his home town of Tadotsu, on the island of Shikoku. By this time he had become a Zen Buddhist monk, and wanted to teach his philosophy to the Japanese people, to restore their spirit and pride. In his own words, "The person, the person, the person! Everything depends on the quality of the person."
However, when he tried to teach his philosophy, he found that the only people who attended were older. As he wanted to teach younger people (as they would determine Japan's future), Taking inspiration from Daruma (the mythical founder of the Shaolin Temple in China), he decided to combine his philosophy with martial arts techniques he had learned in Japan and China. Hence, Shorinji Kempo was founded in 1947.
Kaiso was present at the end of the second world war. When the Russians invaded Manchuria, he realised that it was not the nationality of the person who determined their behaviour, but the quality of them as an individual.
Eventually he returned to Japan, to his home town of Tadotsu, on the island of Shikoku. By this time he had become a Zen Buddhist monk, and wanted to teach his philosophy to the Japanese people, to restore their spirit and pride. In his own words, "The person, the person, the person! Everything depends on the quality of the person."
However, when he tried to teach his philosophy, he found that the only people who attended were older. As he wanted to teach younger people (as they would determine Japan's future), Taking inspiration from Daruma (the mythical founder of the Shaolin Temple in China), he decided to combine his philosophy with martial arts techniques he had learned in Japan and China. Hence, Shorinji Kempo was founded in 1947.
British Shorinji Kempo Federation
Shorinji Kempo was formally brought to the UK in 1974 by Tameo Mizuno, who still serves as our Chief Instructor. Together with clubs separately opened in Bournemouth (by Toshiaki Yoshida) and Glasgow (by Benny Wang), the British Shorinji Kempo Association was founded in 1976. It was renamed the British Shorinji Kempo Federation in 1989.
Shorinji Kempo in Scotland
As stated above, Benny Wang founded the Glasgow University club in 1976. Since then the club has been continuously active, and is the fourth-oldest UK club. Since 2004 Sensei Tony Leith, 4th Dan, has been the branch master.
For decades this was the only club in Scotland... until now! Within the last 2 years City clubs have opened in Glasgow and Edinburgh, meaning Shorinji Kempo is now open to all, not just students, in both cities. Students are welcome to train in either Dojo.
For decades this was the only club in Scotland... until now! Within the last 2 years City clubs have opened in Glasgow and Edinburgh, meaning Shorinji Kempo is now open to all, not just students, in both cities. Students are welcome to train in either Dojo.
