Shorinji Kempo - Qualifications and dan (bukai and hokai)

Qualifications and dan (bukai and hokai)

There are 2 qualifications from 1st dan (1st grade black belt) in order to qualify the steps of body and spiritual training.

Examples of dan and corresponding hokai

• 1st dan (sho-dan) -> Jun-kenshi
• 2nd dan (ni-dan) -> Sho-kenshi
• 3rd dan (san-dan) -> Chu-kenshi
• 4th dan (yon-dan) -> Sei-kenshi
• 5th dan (go-dan) -> Dai-kenshi

After having 1st, 2nd and 3rd dan (bukai qualifications), kenshi practicing at doin will automatically have Jun-kenshi, Sho-kenshi and Chu-kenshi (hokai qualifications) Those kenshi practicing at branches will have these corresponding hokai after joining the training at Shorinji Kempo headquarters in Tadotsu town in Kagawa prefecture in Japan.

From 1st dan through 3rd dan, the examinations are held in each prefectural Shorinji Kempo organization basis. However, the special examination will be held only at its headquarters for the qualifications of 4th dan and above. Generally, kenshi with 4th dan (yon-dan) and above is a teacher but kenshi with 5th dan (go-dan) and above is officially called sensei (先生: teacher). Kenshi who obtained 4th dan automatically obtain Sei-kenshi as well.

WSKO's qualifications and conditions are a little different from its Japanese domestic ones.

Arm emblem category colors:

• ■Red: for doin kenshi
• ■Blue: for shibu kenshi
• ■Green: for Zenrin Gakuen College students
• ■Purple: for WSKO kenshi

Arm emblem title colors: Gold: for master of doin" or "shibu, Silver: for master of doin or shibu with 5th dan or lower, Red: assistant teacher with 3rd dan or above

Also, there is a sokai qualification in Konzo-zen Sohonzan Shorinji the religious entity. Kenshi with 2nd dan and Sho-kenshi will study the Kongo-zen's philosophy and submit application form and thesis.