British Shorinji Kempo Federation (BSKF) 40th Anniversary Celebrations

On Saturday 30th August we are hosting an international event in celebration of our 40th anniversary, featuring dynamic and competitive demonstrations of our fighting art by students at the highest levels from the UK, Europe and Japan.

Shorinji Kempo is a Japanese martial art which traces a direct lineage to the Shaolin monastery in China. It is practiced all over the world and was introduced to the UK by Tameo Mizuno (8th Dan) 40 years ago.

So what is Shorinji Kempo?

Shorinji Kempo aims to develop both the body and the mind, not only through the study of dynamic and effective self-defence techniques, but also through Zen meditation and philosophical studies.

Based on the use of physical principles and weak points rather than brute strength, Shorinji Kempo is an ideal form of practical self-defence, particularly against larger or stronger opponents. Our techniques focus on the balance between 'hard' strikes (punches, kicks and blocks), and ‘soft’ grappling (eludes, pins, joint locks and throws).

Teachings also include a therapeutic acupressure massage system (seiho), and seated meditation (zazen) is an integral part of training at every class.

The teachings of Shorinji Kempo are underpinned by a practical philosophy called Kongo Zen that aims to improve individuals through developing leadership skills, mutual cooperation and confidence.

In 1974 Tameo Mizuno was encouraged by the founder of Shorinji Kempo, So Doshin, to move to the UK and establish the art of Shorinji Kempo in this country. Over the past 40 years he has tirelessly promoted the art and Japanese culture in general. He has taught thousands of students, opened a number of branches, and acted as visiting instructor throughout the world, from Switzerland and Czech Republic in Europe, to Kenya and Tanzania in Africa. Many of his students have competed and won at European and international tournaments and have gone on to found new branches across the UK and Europe. In 2000 he was awarded the Ambassador’s Commendation by the Japanese ambassador Mr Sadayuki Hayashi, for his years of effort in promoting Japanese-British friendship in the UK.

In 1987, the BSKF was part of the original Martial Aid event (sponsored by the Japanese Embassy) to raise funds for Save The Children, an event that we continued to help run for many more years. More recently, in 2011 we organised a new Martial Aid fundraising event (featuring demonstrations from many Japanese martial arts groups in the UK) that raised over £4,000 via JustGiving for the Red Cross Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami Appeal, and many thousands of pounds more in other donations.

At the age of 66, Tameo Mizuno is still very active in leading the Federation, teaching and inspiring students at the flagship branch in the heart of Mayfair twice a week, as well as at national and international seminars throughout the year. Earlier this year he was featured on Irish national television following a visit to one of his student’s branches in Kerry in the Republic of Ireland.