Shorinji Kempo Goho Techniques

Goho techniques are the 'hard' techniques within Shorinji Kempo. The main principles of these techniques involve using body movement to avoid an attack, blocks to deflect a punch or kick and counter strikes to prevent further attacks. The blocks do not meet the force of the attack with force, instead they deflect the blow often or are used as a cover to protect the body.

All counter strikes are aimed at vital/weak points on the body allowing less force to be used for greater effect.

Although Kempo is equipped with techniques for offence as well as defence, they are all based on the principles of 'defence first'. Thrusts and kicks are always preceded by blocks. Inherent in the structure of Kempo, is the concept that at no time should Shorinji Kempo techniques be used to initiate attacks. This is for moral reasons as well as strategic reasons, while an attacker attempts to strike their attention is focused on attacking and they leave themselves open to the defenders counter-attack.

Using these techniques a small relatively weak person can effectively defend themselves against a bigger and stronger attacker.

It should be noted that all Shorinji Kempo strikes are designed to incapacitate an opponent without causing them injury, and to use the minimum force necessary. Using Shorinji Kempo should be the last resort, any conflicts should where possible be resolved peacefully. 

Shorinji Kempo - Juho Techniques 

Juho techniques are the 'soft' techniques within Shorinji Kempo. They consist of throws locks/pins and eludes.

These techniques are applied when a person is grabbed or pinned by an attacker. Movement is used to take the attacker off balance and to take advantage of the momentum of the attack.

Juho techniques are applied to the weakest area of the attack, e.g. an elude requires the technique to be applied to the weakest part of a hold, a throw may use the attacks momentum or the defender may move to unbalance the attacker to execute a throw.

Meeting force with force is a principle never used in Shorinji Kempo, but by moving with the opponents' direction of attack, and not resisting, one can capitalise on their momentum to execute a technique.

Shorinji Kempo is an effective from of self defence for anyone of any age, sex, or size, its main advantage is that it requires no strength to perform any of the techniques, just the technical knowledge and practice.