"It is doubtful whether the Japanese people and the country as a whole can really be understood or appreciated by anyone without a degree of knowledge of their martial culture." -Donn F. Draeger

Shindo Jinen-ryu, established in 1933 by Yasuhiro Konishi (1893-1983), is deeply rooted in a rich tradition of Japanese warrior culture. To understand the tradition and the philosophies that this style of karate-do represents, we must first visit the origin of budo and trace the path on which it was formed.

The Birth of Japan

The land around the current Japanese islands was formed about 70 million years ago. According to archaeologists, humans lived on the land as early as 2.5 million years ago. During the last ice age (50,000 to 10,000 years ago), a massive movement of the earth separated the land from the Eurasian Continent, and the Japanese islands were formed. This geographical isolation from the continent provided the Japanese with protection and the opportunity to develop their own unique culture. -- more

Biography of Osamu Ozawa
by James Tawatao

Shihan Osamu Ozawa was born into a samurai family on November 25, 1925 in Kobe, Japan. His family is believed to have descended from the Takeda clan. Takeda Shingen was one of Japan's most famous and brilliant warriors and it was into this great and famous samurai lineage that Haruo Ozawa, Master Ozawa's father was born. The Ozawa family crest (mon) is indeed the famous Takeda bishi, or Takeda family symbol.

Shihan Ozawa was introduced to the art of karate in 1937 when his cousin Daiichiro Aizawa came to visit the Ozawa family in Kobe after a devastating typhoon destroyed and severely damaged nearly 50 percent of the city. He started his karate training at the age of thirteen and in December 1938, he went and sought out Kenwa Mabuni, founder of the Shito-ryu style of karate. He trained under Master Mabuni for two years.

In March 1942, at the age of 17, Master Ozawa entered Hosei University and was introduced to Shotokan karate when he joined the university karate team. Kimio Itoh was the team captain and the chief instructor was Grand Master Gichin Funakoshi, the man who first introduced karate to Japan from Okinawa and founder of Shotokan Karate. In September 1944, Gichin Funakoshi promoted Master Ozawa to shodan or 1st degree black belt. -- more

Interview with Reverend Toshio Kuramoto
of the Hollywood Shorinji Kempo Dojo
Interviewer: Richard Killion -
Dragon Times #16

The Rev. Kuramoto is a former student of the founder of Shorinji Kempo, Doshin So, and currently the chief instructor of the Hollywood, California, Shorinji Kempo dojo.

Richard Killion: When did you start Shorinji Kempo?

Toshio Kuramoto: In 1968 at the Kongo Zen Sohonzan Shorinji, in Koshigaya Doin, Saitama-Ken, Japan.

Richard Killion: How long have you been a Zen Acu-Therapist ?

Toshio Kuramoto: 30 years. I learned through the Shorinji Kempo dojo in Saitama Prefecture.

Richard Killion: What inspired you to join Shorinji Kempo?

Toshio Kuramoto: When I learned of Shorinji Kempo, I wanted to challenge my life through martial arts . -- more

Shorinji Kempo
by Richard Killion - Dragon Times #14

In 1928, Doshin So, the founder (also refered to as Kaiso) travelled through China studying as he did so various forms of Chinese Kempo. Under the guidance of the head of the North Shorinji Giwamonken School of Kempo, Wen-Lanshi, he studied its techniques in great depth including the practice of embu, a kata-like form that requires two people to perform, and a hallmark of modern Shorinji Kempo. (Note that the word Shorinji is the Japanese pronounciation of Shaolin Temple Boxing.) In 1936, at a ceremony at the school, Doshin So became the official successor.

Experiencing the Russian Army's occupation of Manchuria, Kaiso concluded that the course of the world's events was not dependent on ideology, religion or nationalism, but on the quality of the individual person and of his or her actions. This conclusion strongly influenced the shaping of Shorinji Kempo and its philosophical base Returning to the devastation of postwar Japan he found the youth of his homeland discouraged, and with little if any sense of purpose. His great concern for their moral welfare and the future of his country caused him to devote his life to training young people with "courage, strength, mercy and a sense of justice," principles that in the fullness of time would find international acceptance.
-- more

Interview of Rev. Yamamori
by Richard Killion - Dragon Times #15

Yamamori sensei is one of the pioneering instructors who introduced America to Shorinji Kempo.

Richard Killion: When did you start Shorinji Kempo? Did you study any other martial art before this?

Reverend Yamamori: April 8, 1960 started at the Kyoto Betsuin Dojo. Previous to this I studied in Judo up to the 2nd degree Black Belt.

Richard Killion: What inspired you to join Shorinji Kempo?

Reverend Yamamori: To make my soul, mind & body strong.

Richard Killion: When did you train at the the Kyoto Betsuin ?

Reverend Yamamori: In the evenings, after work 5 times/week, until I left for the United States in 1968. -- more

The Karate of Chotoku Kyan
Interview with the Seibukan's
Zenpo Shimabukuro

Zenpo Shimabukuro sensei is an exceptional instructor with a pedigree that stretches back through his father, Zenryo, to his teacher, the legendary master of Shorin Ryu karate, Chotoku Kyan. This interview is his first appearance in Dragon Times, although we are sure that, as he is currently producing a video with Tsunami Productions, it will not be his last. We are indebted to Mr. Dan Smith of the Seibukan for his help with this interview.

Dragon Times: Please explain the relationship of your father to Chotoku Kyan sensei.

Zenpo Shimabukuro: My father studied with Kyan longer than any other student. He was a baker and he delivered the bakery goods daily to the area where Kyan sensei lived and received instruction from him at his home. My father only trained with Kyan sensei. He had no other teacher.

Dragon Times: When did he (your father) start training with Kyan sensei, and for how long did he train?

Zenpo Shimabukuro: My father began training with Kyan sensei in approximately 1930. My father and mother had moved to Chatan Son from Shuri at this time. He trained with Kyan sensei until the war began. The students Kyan had before my father's time such as Aragaki and Taro Shimabukuro had died before my father began training. The only other person to train for any length of time with Kyan sensei was Nakazato Joen sensei, who trained at the Kadena High School for six years before the war. -- more

Jujutsu & Karate
by Harry Cook

Although it is well known that the striking methods of Okinawan karate were introduced to Japan in the 1920s by teachers such as Gichin Funakoshi, Choki Motobu, and Kenwa Mabuni, it is less well known that some of the native Japanese schools of ju-jutsu made extensive use of techniques that may seem at first sight to be typical karate techniques.

For example some of the kicking techniques seen in modern karate were taught in the nineteenth century by ju-jutsu instructors. E.J. Harrison says that he was taught a kind of front kick (mae-geri) when he began training in Japan. He wrote, "On an Atemi chart bequeathed to me by my first Jujutsu.teacher1 of the Tenshin Shinyo-ryu at Yokohama, this spot (Suigetsu-the solar plexus) is described as the most secret of that school. When kicking your opponent in this spot, keep the toes curved and deliver the blow with the ball of the foot." --more

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