Doshin So
From DigitalKyohan
Doshin So (宗道臣, *1911 Okayama Prefecture - 1980) was the founder of Shorinji Kempo. Practioners of Shorinji Kempo often refer to him as "Kaiso" meaning "the founder".
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[edit] 1. Biography :
[edit] Childhood
Born in 1911 in a small mountain village high above Okayama as Nakano, Doshin So was the eldest son of a customs officer.His father died when he was eight years old. He was left in charge of his two younger sisters, while his mother went to work. The harsh lifestyle eventually took its toll on her and in 1919 she left to join a religious order.Nakano's sisters were left with his mother's family, while he went to Manchuria to live with his paternal grandfather. His grandfather was a member of the secret Amur River Society (Kokuryukai) and worked for the japanese railway company. He was also master of martial arts (budo), and for seven years he taught Nakano swordsmanship and the art of the spear, as well as the unarmed combat techniques of jujutsu.In May 1926 Nakano's mother died, and he returned to Japan. His sisters also died very young in August 1926 and April 1927. He was not even able to return to China, as his grandfather also passed away at this time. Nakano was now without a family, and in a state of misery.
Doshin So as a child with his mother and his two sisters
[edit] Kokuryukai, Kempo and World War 2
The Kokuryukai was a prominent paramilitary, ultra-nationalist right-wing group in Japan. Its name is derived from the Amur River, called Heilongjiang or "Black Dragon River" in Chinese (黑龍江), read as Kokuryū-kō in Japanese. As "ryū" can also mean "dragon" in japanese, the name was often falsely translated as "Black Dragon Society". It was founded in 1901 by Uchida Ryohei, and was descended from the Genyosha. Uchida was a follower of Genyosha founder Mitsuru Toyama who was a friend of Nakanos Grandfather.
Nakano now came under the patronage of Mitsuru Toyama, received instruction in espionage (which possibly involved some martial art training). In 1928, Nakano returned to Manchuria, this time as a member of a secret organization.
As he could fluently speak the chinese language, his task was to infiltrate chinese secret societies and gather information for his country. The buddhist monk Chen Liang, a member of the Zaijiali society taught him the art of Bailian Chuan (White Lotus). After several years of study, he recommended Nakano to Wen Taizong (or Wen Laoshi), master of the Shaolin Yihe Men Quan style (which played a large roll in the boxer revolution). According to Nakano, master Wen was very lucky to find a student whom he could pass on his techniques.
In 1936 Nakano and his master visited the ruins of the Songshan Shaolin Temple in Xian. The demolished Hall of the Founder remained in name only, but with the Master's old friend the Head Priest presiding, the Yihemen Quan ceremony was performed to pass on the mantle of leadership, and Nakano received recognition of his status as the 21st generation Shifu. Master Wen also granted him the name "Doshin So".
[edit] The early years of Shorinji-Kempo
The demolished Hall of the Founder remained in name only, but with the Master's old friend the Head Priest presiding, the Yihemen Quan ceremony was performed to pass on the mantle of leadership, and Doshin received recognition of his status as the 21st generation Shifu.
