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Basically, you have to learn Shorinji Kempo at a branch where an official instructor can teach you each techniques. Shorinji Kempo is not suitable for self learning. Especially, you need your partner to learn Juho to know how it works and what kind of pain each Juho technique causes.
However, it may be worth you practice some techniques by yourself at home after you have been taught them at the branch. This page may be helpful for you to remind you of some tips of each techniques. Practice those techniques as many times as possible, to make these techniques part of your inherent ability.
Listed below, basic movements and technical words and tips for some important techniques.
English names given to each techniques may different from the WSKO's authorized technical term. I put them just for your ease of understanding. If you find out the difference between the names used in this page from the WSKO's terminologies, please let me know by email, thank you.

　newToday's basic technique
Recently introduced explanations about the basic techniques are listed in the menue below, please select and click to see the explanation.
The above function does not work well in Netscape, please use Internet Explorer, or use the index list below.
Index Comments
Basic stance Foot positions and basic way of standing and how to sit.
Basic postures Basic postures of Byakuren chool and Giwa shool.
yokofurimi Body movement How to move your body and dodge.
maekumoashi Basic steps Basic way of carring your body.
Body parts
 Body parts used in offense and defense.
Elemantal techniques in Goho Basic movement in Goho, such as punch, kick and guard.
Tips and explanation
 Important tips about specific techniques.
Basic stance Back to index next topic

Basic stance is called Sokui ho in Shorinji Kempo. Listed below are some of basic stances.

How to sit.
Click here to see how to sit down on the floor for Zazen.
The basic style for meditation is shown.

Example of several foot position.

Foot position Name Foot position Name

Kaisoku
open stance
Heisoku,
closed stance

Gyaku choji,
regular stance
Mae kagi ashi,
front foot right angle stance,
a transitional stance.

Ushiro kagi ashi,
rear foot right angle stance, a transitional stance.
Yoko kagi ashi,
front foot step over stance, a transitional stance.

Hachiji ashi,
kanji "eight" figure stance.
kawashi ashi,
cross leg stance, a transitional stance.

Listed below are basic way of standing.

Stance Name Stance Name Stance Name

Zenkutu dachi,
front weight position
Koukutu dachi,
rear weight position
Nekoashi dachi,
front kick position

Kiba dachi,
low weight position
Fukko dachi,
knee position
Ku no ji dachi,
standard standing position
Basic postures Back previous topic to index next topic

Tai gamae, or posture, is a position useful in guarding yourself and initiating offence.

Eight postures of Byakuren school

Gassho gamae Manji gamae Midare gamae Hasso gamae Taiki gamae Gyaku taiki gamae Aiki gamae Byakuren chuudan gamae

Nine postures of Giwa school

Kesshu gamae Ichiji gamae Niou gamae Chudan gamae Gedan gamae Gyaku gedan gamae Fukko gamae Tachi muso gamae Yoko muso gamae

Fujin hou, Relative positioning

There are three types of positionings as shown below.

Seitai gamae You face your opponent as shown in the left figure.
Tai gamae When your opponent stands with his left (right) foot forward, you stand with your left (right) foot forward.
Hiraki gamae When your opponent stands with his left (right) foot forward, you stand with your right (left) foot forward.

(C)Copy right, K.Hayashi. This site was written and developed by Keijiro Hayashi in 1998. The same Keijiro Hayashi maintained and improved this site during the years: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 continues to do so, and reserves all rights associated with the structure of this site and the information available on this site.