Why is the tuition so much lower than other martial art schools?

The World Shorinji Kempo Organization (WSKO) does not allow its branches to be operated for profit. We set the tuition to cover costs only (rent, insurance, etc.).

What if I can't attend three times a week?

Most students attend once or twice a week. We recommend students to try to attend twice a week to make progress at a good rate. However you should be able to continue to improve as long as you attend regularly even at a reduced frequency. We believe the key is to continue practicing at what is comfortable and do-able for you.

Do I need to buy the white uniform?

Students are expected to practice wearing the approved white "DOGI" uniform. For the first practices for new students, loose-fitting exercise gear is acceptable. The official Dogi is available through the branch, or WSKO-authorized retailers.

Is registration with WSKO required?

Yes, all branches are required to have all of their students registered with WSKO.

Can I practice at other Shorinji Kempo locations?

Yes, your WSKO membership and rank are valid at any WSKO branch around the world (6 in the SF Bay Area, about 30 in the US, and over 3000 worldwide).

I used to practice at another branch, but stopped. Can I continue from where I left off?

Yes, your prior rank should be on record at WSKO. You can be transferred from your former branch roster to Peninsula.

I have some rank with another style. Can you recognize that?

No. Shorinji Kempo has its own system and rank. NO matter what rank you may have with another style, everyone must start from a white belt.

Is prior sports or martial art experience necessary or useful?

No prior experience is necessary. Having good body coordination is a plus but not a requirement. With continued practice, everyone can make reasonable progress.

Can I try out a class first?

Yes. We recommend potential students to come and observe and/or try out a class to ensure Shorinji Kempo is a good fit. To try a class, please contact us via e-mail. You will need to bring loose-fitting exercise clothes and sign an insurance waiver.

Peninsula Branch

SHORINJI KEMPO

Ready to see the possibilities within yourself?

READY
TO MAKE A CHANGE?

SHORINJI KEMPO is a way to develop that self-confidence, a way to see that seed of possibilities within you, a way to change yourself! After each practice, you change a little. The small changes will add up to a large one very quickly. There will be a day when you realize just how much you have changed. This change, and sense of accomplishment will lead to improved self-confidence.

Knowing that you can change, it will give you the courage to try even harder in the future.

Start with something you could do. Practice at the dojo. Try something new. Meet and make new friends. See if SHORINJI KEMPO is right for you.

New students are always welcome.

WHAT IS SHORINJI KEMPO?

In short, SHORINJI KEMPO was established at the town of Tadotsu in Kagawa, Japan, by the founder Doshin So in 1947, as a "Gyo" for developing people, a way for people to learn to establish mutual trust and cooperation. After returning to Japan following the end of World War II, he re-organized and re-established the techniques from the martial arts he had learned, as well as added his own. This was named "Shorinji Kempo," his own style of techniques.

Techniques

SHORINJI KEMPO is a method of self-defense, to protect oneself from violence. In order to allow the weaker to control the stronger, the techniques are logically created on the basis of dynamics and physiology. Anyone, regardless of sex or age can practice these techniques.

The techinical curriculum and requirements for rank advancements are set by WSKO, and is standarized around the world. That is, everyone practicing SHORINJI KEMPO around the world practices the same techniques, and a rank achieved at one branch is recoginized as the same rank at any other WSKO branch.

How to Practice

The practice of SHORINJI KEMPO is conducted in pairs, taking the role of a defender and an attacker. The partner is not a competitor or opponent. The aim is not to find out which of the two is stronger, but to work together to improve everyone's physical skills as well as the spiritual self.

Organization

SHORINJI KEMPO is now active in over 30 countries with over 3,000 branches world-wide, and still spreading throughout the world, and organized under the the World Shorinji Kempo Organization (WSKO).

THE PENINSULA
BRANCH

The Peninsula Branch (shibu) of SHORINJI KEMPO was officially approved by the World Shorinji Kempo Organization (WSKO) in December 2004. We are located in the city of San Mateo in California (approx. 20miles south of San Francisco), which is centrally located in the San Francisco "Peninsula". Please see the Location and Time for our practice location and time.

SHORINJI KEMPO is not taught on a for-profit basis. The branch master, and the staff, teach and operate the branch for the love of SHORINJI KEMPO and based on the belief in its ideals. The fees collected are used for covering the cost of the branch operation and related activities.

SENSEI
YOSHI
KARAHASHI

Peninsula Branch Master

The Peninsula Branch is led by Yoshi Karahashi, a 6th Dan (or Degree) black belt with over 35 years of experience in Shorinji Kempo. Prior to opening the Peninsula Branch, he was practicing at the San Francisco Branch, and was acting as the Dojo-cho (dojo manager or lead assistant instructor) under the guidance of Yuji Harada-sensei (then Branch Master of the San Francisco Branch, 7th Dan).

LOCATION&
TIME

San Mateo Gardeners Hall
503 East 5th Ave.
San Mateo, CA 94401

We practice at the San Mateo Gardeners Hall in San Mateo, Monday & Wednesday evenings and Saturday mid-morning.

TIME

Monday 6:30pm - 8:30pm (age 13 & up)
Wednesday 6:30pm - 8:30pm (all ages)
Saturday 10:00am - 12noon (all ages)

Especially during holiday weekends, practice may not be held. Please check the Top Page for such announcements.

Before joining the class, please expect to be asked to watch one entire class to ensure you know what to expect. New students are always welcome.

Please use the contact form below.

Please note that there are two doors to the building on the street facing side and rear.

READY TO TRAIN WITH US?

New students are welcome on an on-going basis.

Beginners are welcome, and previous martial arts experience is not necessary. Those with a background in other styles are expected to practice only SHORINJI KEMPO techniques while engaged in practice at the Peninsula Branch.

Monday class is currently limited to ages 13 and above.

Wednesday and Saturday classes are open to all ages. However, Please note the following:

For those under the age of 10, we ask that either an older sibling (above age 10) or a parent/guardian be in class, either to watch or join the class.

The child needs to be mature enough to follow instructions. This generally is about age 5 or 6, but will depend on the maturity of the child. This is one of the reasons we encourage visiting and trying a class first.

The full 2-hour class is quite long and tiring for young children. We may ask you to agree to a customized shortened (ex: 1 hour) class for the young children.

All members receive personalized instruction in a friendly and non-competitive environment.

New students should be in sufficient physical health to participate in moderate to vigorous physical activities. If you have any health issues or concerns, please consult your physician, as well as identify them to the Branch Master.

Although attendance to all classes is not required, students are encouraged to attend as much as possible and on a regular basis. Given Shorinji Kempo's complexity, commitment to regular practice is the only way to retain information and develop skills.

In addition, students must learn a small vocabulary of Japanese terms through the regular and routine class instructions. Students that train regularly find this manageable even if they do not have any Japanese language ability.

CostS and Expectations

Monthly Fee is $40 for age 18 & up, and $25 for 17 & under.

Registration Fee: $25. This is an one time fee for new students registration with the World Shorinji Kempo Organization Headquarters.

Students are expected to practice in traditional white "Dogi" uniform. For the first few practices for new students, t-shirt & sweat pants (or something easy to exercise in) will be acceptable. New official Dogi is available now. Please consult with the Branch Master about details of the requirement.

We do ask everyone to sign a "Hold Harmless Agreement" (some times referred to as an insurance waiver) which is required for insurance purpose. Forms are available from the Branch Master.

Once the student's registration with WSKO is complete, an ID card will be issued from the WSKO headquarters in Japan. This will give the student the previledge to practice with any WSKO practice location around the world.

Registration with the WSKO headquarters is a requirement.