Shorinji Kenpo (Exclusive)
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: Limited to Good Alignments. No Attribute restrictions.
Skill Cost: 12 Years.

Doshin So (1911-1980) established the Japanese martial art of Shorinji Kenpo in 1947 at Tadotsu, Kagawa Prefecture, on the island of Shikoku. From 1929 to 1936, in Beijing, China, Doshin So studied under Wen Laoshi, the 20th Master of the Northern Shorinji Giwamonken School, eventually becoming Wen-Laoshi's direct successor, the 21st Master (1936). After Japan's defeat at the end of the Second World War, Doshin So experienced the true horror of war and the sorrow and wretchedness of a defeated people in Manchuria. Amidst the experience of seeing that religion, ethics, or ideology were seconded to national interests, and observing international government operate as if might made right, Doshin So noticed that people's qualities determined their character and way of thinking, especially in positions of authority. Returning to a war torn Japan, he created Shorinji Kenpo with the idea of instilling people with a strong sense of courage, justice, and compassion. Through his creation of Shorjini Kenpo, Doshin So became known as 'Kaiso' (founder). Unlike other martial art styles derived from Chinese chuan fa, Shorinji Kenpo (translated as "The Way of The Shaolin Temple Fist") rearranges and fuses these techniques into a new style, further amplified by adding Kaiso's religious philosophy of Kongo Zen. Kongo Zen derives from Doshin So's study of Buddhism, especially the building of self through Boddhidharma's philosophy of indestructible and indomitable spirit.

Shorinjikenpo is often thought of as the "thinking person's martial art". The practice of Shorinji Kempo is based on six fundamental principles (Shorinjikenpo no tokucho) which put moral and ethics in the front of training to aid the practitioner in the efficient acquisition and correct application of martial skills. The principles are based on the philosophy of Kongo Zen. The first characteristic principle is Ken Zen Ichinyo (Body and Mind are the Same). It stresses the need to nourish both body and mind to ensure the overall development of its students, by emphasizing neither physical nor spiritual training. Riki Ai Funi (Strength and Love Stand Together) is the second characteristic principle. Practitioners learn the need for a balance between compassion and physical strength, as Strength without love is violence; love without strength mere decoration. Technically and ethically, the third characteristic principle, Shushu Koju (Defence Before Attack) spotlights techniques which emphasize protecting oneself through defense, not to defeat one's opponent, but to not lose to them to protect the body from injury or harm. Fourth of the characteristic principles is Fusatsu Katsujin (Protect People Without Injury). Techniques are designed to apply optimal foruce to the various pressure points of the body in order to stop the opponent's motion without injury. Rather than killing or wounding the opponent, the purpose is to prevent rash action on their part and make them lose the will for conflict. In order to facilitate this, the common philosophy of "one hit, one kill" is not used by practitioners of Shorinji Kenpo. The fifth characteristic principle, Goju Ittai (Hard and Soft Work Only Together) is accomplished through the use of goho (hard techniques) and juho (soft techniques). This characteristic trains students to unify the two elements in a dynamic and unique system for self-defense. Sixth, and last characteristic of Shorinji Kenpo is Kumite Shutai (Pair Work is Fundamental). Two people training in the techniques is stressed for two reasons, to build cooperative relationships through practice and to learn the timing and spacing necessary to overcome an opponent.

Shorinji Kenpo is a dynamic and effective style that can improve and maintain fitness. Cooperative training means that there are no minimum requirements of flexibility and strength, allowing practitioners to learn their limits and work on exceeding them. Non-repetitive exercises allow the student to gain a full repertoire of skills which improve flexibility, coordination, balance, and stamina. Practical applications of the techniques insures that the practitioner learns both physical and mental discipline. Training (Santei sanpo nijugokei) is divided in 3 parts; Shin (soul), Tai (body), Chi (wisdom). The body is developed through over six hundred techniques, in three systems, covering every possible means of protecting oneself in almost any situation. These techniques are designed around comprehensive coverage of 138 vital points of the human body, through delivering counter-attacks to these points in a correct manner to maximize the practitioner's actions with minimal effort.

The three physical body systems of Shorinji Kenpo are Goho (hard methods), Juho (soft methods), and Seiho (correcting methods). In Goho, the accurate, hard, scientifically-based, and swift technical techniques are blocks, dodges, kicks, punches, and strikes used as defensive counterattacks applied to the vulnerable points of the body to overcome an opponent. This training method involves a variety of exercises designed to improve balance, body awareness, combative distance, flexibility, fluidity of motion, speed, and timing. Juho techniques provide defensive counters against grabs, pins, restraints, takedowns, and throws through the use of chokes, escapes, joint locks, joint reversals, pressuring, releases, restraints, takedowns, and throws. Through exploiting the vulnerabilities of an attacker in these situations, the defender can avoid or neutralize any threat, maximizing their effectiveness without regards to strength or size in them self or their opponent. Unlike other styles which are characterized by one approach or the other, Shorinji Kenpo mixes both styles to allow practitioners to approach any situation with the appropriate response. The last method, Seiho, or correcting methods, is composed of healing techniques such as acupressure massage (shiatsu) and simple first aid. This allows practitioners to relax and revitalize tired muscles, reducing pain in addition to providing basic first aid. Other areas stressed in training are hokei (randori practice of predetermined techniques practically applied appropriately to the situation), embu (sparring involving sets of techniques for free flowing, cooperative learning), kata, and practicing in a state of harmony, achieved through proper breathing, for spiritual self betterment. Spiritual development is also achieved through the use of Zazen (seated) Zen meditation.

Shorinji Kenpo is a widely studied martial art, available in over 3000 branches in Japan and 29 additional countries, 11 of which are European. There are currently somewhere around 1.5 million practitioners worldwide.

Costume: Standard white Karate Gi.
Stance: A side stance, with one foot pointing toward the opponent, and the other on a right angle to the first.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +2 to M.A.
Add +1 to M.E.
Add +2 to P.E.
Add +10 to Chi.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 2
Escape Moves: Back Flip, Maintain Balance, Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Somersault.
Attack Moves: Back Flip, Roll, Somersault.
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Parry
Advanced Defense Moves: Circular Parry, Combination Parry/Attack, Multiple Dodge.
Hand Attacks: Fore-Knuckle Fist, Knife Hand, Palm Strike, Punch (Human Fist).
Basic Foot Attacks: Backward Sweep, Crescent Kick, Kick Attack, Tripping/Leg Hook.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Body Block/Tackle, Choke, Elbow, Forearm, Headbutt, Hip Throw (New!), Knee, Pin/Incapacitate, Roll/Knockdown, Shoulder Throw (New!), Sweeping Throw (New!).
Holds/Locks: Automatic Body Hold, Automatic Elbow Lock, Automatic Leg Hold, Automatic Wrist Lock.
Weapon Kata: None.
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike, Knockout from Behind, Knockout/Stun, Pull Punch.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select a total of TWO (2) Martial Art Powers from among Atemi, Martial Art Techniques, and Special Kata (Note: Weapon Kata not allowed!). If desired, any number of Martial Art Powers can be traded, on a one-for-one basis, for Basic Skill Programs (excluding Physical).
Languages: Japanese
Survival: First Aid, Acupressure or Shiatsu
Temple: Meditation
Philosophical Training: Zen, specifically Kongo Zen. Kongo (supreme/something of the highest value or absolute hardness) Zen is the belief that the nirvana (heaven or the place wherein an individual finds perfect peace), lies within one's own heart. The philosophy of Kongo Zen combines compassion with strength and hardness to teach union of the mind and body. This is done in order to achieve a universal development of all people with the ultimate objective of securing happiness on earth through the alleviation of suffering.
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Shaolin Kung Fu (4 Years), Shorinji Ryu Karate (4 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Body Flip/Throw, +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Knockout from Behind.
2nd: +2 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Back Flip/Somersault.
3rd: +1 Attack per Melee.
4th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
5th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 18, 19, or 20.
6th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Body Flip/Throw.
7th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Maintain Balance.
8th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
9th: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Back Flip/Somersault.
10th: +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Critical Strike on a Natural 19 or 20.
11th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Maintain Balance.
12th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
13th: +1 to Strike, +2 to Body Flip/Throw.
14th: +1 Attack per Melee, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 17, 18, 19, or 20.
15th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
Why Study Shorinji Kenpo?
A solid, combat effective form that stresses quickness and power.