For a couple of months now, I have been studying Shorinji Kempo (SK) with my students at Junten. The President of the school is an expert at it and there is a dedicated group of about 60 students who turn up three or four times a week each to practice. It's a Buddhist martial art that focuses on teamwork and partnership to accomplish various technique combinations, rather than on competition. There are no direct killing moves in SK, although I imagine it's still got it's uses in a bar brawl. People who practice SK are called Kenshi so now you can tell everyone you know that your friend Mike is a Kenshi.
Before I begin telling you about my experiences with Shorinji Kempo, I will point out that this update contains no photos of me in my pretty SK Dogi. Sorry guys! But on Friday I received my SK wallet card, which I think means I can legally kill anyone I like, and thought I'd write this update to warn you all…
Anyway, the lesson begins at 4pm with a cleaning of the hall and about twenty minutes of stretching exercises. Everything from pushups to the splits to rotating every wrist and ankle is covered in a variety of excruciating ways. Afterwards, the group moves to one side of the hall, and progresses to the other side doing various moves chained together. This is one part of the session that I really don't enjoy as often I have no idea how to do half the moves, so I end up trailing across the hall miles behind everyone else. However, I have the largest legspan in the group so with a few stealthy strides I can keep up.
Afterwards we break up into groups or pairs and practice various moves for tests. There are only three belt colours in SK – White, Brown and Black. I'm in training to get my brown belt although I don't know if I have enough time between now and August to get it, but if I don't I'll come pretty close so I should be able to get it in England.
Anyway, I thought I would give everyone a free lesson in Shorinji by teaching you the first part of the combination Ten Chi Ken, which means "Sky Ground Punch" or something I don't know. This combination starts with your left leg in front.
- Front Punch
So far so good… - Back Punch
Hey what was I thinking? I can do this! This is easy! - Shuffle Forward, Block your face with back hand and swing front hand into a side punch.
Wait, what? - Step back into right stance, block above your head with your right hand.
Wait stop I'm still doing part three! - Block your face with right hand and your midriff with lower hand.
Look can we just go back to part three again I… - Sweep a block to your left side with your upper hand and bring it back to your middle.
Hang on a second my left leg is caught in my trousers. - Kick with right leg.
Am I meant to be doubled over in pain because if I am I think I nailed it this time. - Drop into right stance.
I came up with my own variation here called "Drop into hospital".
Truth be told I'm not that bad but I think this gives you an idea of how hard it is to improve something when your mistakes are pointed out in a language everyone but you can understand.
Last but not least, SK has taught me one very important lesson. Little girls are shockingly strong and are not to be questioned. Yes, Tomomi-San, you pass English. Just let me live…
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I would write something about Shorinji here, but instead a blatant plug will do ;)
For the time being I have photos of SK – http://gallery.leonjp.com/v/shorinjik/
At least your pictures have you in them. I haven’t found anyone willing to stand in the School Hall for two hours while I get beaten up.