Kempo Jujutsu Karate Kobudo Iaido
Kempo:
Translates into English "law or way of the fist." With roots
dating back to the Shaolin Temple in China, this art or method focuses on
survival. Through many generations, Shorinji Toraken Ryu Kempo-Karate has
made its way from China, Korea, Japan and now to the United States. Although
primarily striking method, many consider Kempo to be a "melting pot" of
martial arts because of its utilization of joint locks, throws, takedowns, and the use of weapons.
Kempo is the base art in the Shorinji Toraken Ryu Sogo Kempo-Jutsu curriculum.
Students who study Kempo will learn to react correctly in a survival situation.
By using short mobile stances and evasion tactics, they are taught how to
effectively deal with unarmed attackers, multiple attackers, and attackers
who are wielding weapons (club, knife, gun, etc). There are martial arts
directed toward competition, however, true Kempo is taught in a combat manner
and cannot be used for competition unless watered-down to some extent.
Jujutsu:
Translates into English, "Soft or Gentle Art." Once used by unarmed samurai
on the battlefield in feudal Japan, Jujutsu is a method of self-defense that can neutralize or
immobilize an attacker at the discretion of the student. Practitioners use
soft or gentle movements to create devastatingly painful throws, joint locks, takedowns and chokes. Strikes
and kicks are also used to attack nerve centers and kyusho points.
Jujutsu is an art based on many principles and concepts. Once a Jujutsuka (Jujutsu student) has learned the proper ways of choking, locking, and
throwing, he can then begin to integrate these concepts together to explore their many variations.
In the Shorinji Toraken Ryu Sogo Kempo-Jutsu system, Jujutsu is taught second in line behind Kempo.
After a student is proficient in Kempo he can then opt to begin his study in the Jujutsu Curriculum.
Karate:
Karate- Translates into English “empty hand.”
The system’s Karate lineage is that of the Motuba Ha Shito Ryu taught by the late Soke Kosei Kuniba. Although Karate is not a
separately taught art of the Shorinji Toraken Ryu System it has greatly influenced the
system’s development. Hard, linear movements characteristic of karate are emphasized in the
Kempo curriculum.
Kobudo:
Translates into English as “Ancient Martial Way” however it recently has become to
signify the use of Okinawan weapons. These weapons were originally used by peasants of
Okinawa as farm tools and later converted to armaments for defending their lands. Students
are taught how to use the weapon as an extension of their extremities for striking and
grappling purposes. Weapons taught include: Keibo, hanbo, jo, bo, yawara, tonfa, nunchaku,
sai, kama, and cane.