CHUGOKU KENPO

Chugoku Kenpo means Chinese fist methods. The Chugoku Kenpo system is mainly focused on Kiko/Chi-Kung (Imperial Qi-Gong), Hakkesho/Pakua (Ba Gua) and Kinnajutsu (Chin-na). Many Japanese martial arts have connection (roots) with Chinese martial arts.

Grandmaster Takamatsu Toshitsugu Sensei had 2 Asian teachers who taught him Shaolin Kung-Fu (Master Cho Su Long) and 18 Korean martial arts (Master Kim Kei Mei). Grandmaster Sato Kinbei Sensei lived many years in China and Taiwan and received the highest teachings from his teachers Grandmaster Li Zu Ming Sensei and Grandmaster Wang Shu Jin Sensei. He became the first non-Chinese person ever awarded with these titles.

Grandmaster Tanemura Tsunehisa Shoto Sensei became 5th generation Grandmaster (Denjin) through Grandmaster Sato Kinbei Sensei and Grandmaster Li Zu Ming Sensei.

The fundamental basic element of Pakua is "walking the circle", by swift footwork and turning and twisting of the body. The main principle is using the palm in the 8 directions. Pakua is not only used for self-defense purpose but also for maintaining a good health. It's very close related to Chi-Kung. Pakua is an internal martial art (founded on the Taoist philosophy of Lao Tzu and created inside China), which has its roots in the I-Ching (Book Of Changes). It's based on the principle of Yin/Yang (Positive/Negative, Male/Female, In/Yo, ...). Pakua literally means 8 diagrams (trigrams), while Pakua Chang means 8 diagrams (trigrams) palm.

Chi-Kung comes from Chi (universal energy) and Kung (achievement, mastery) and means to master one's inside breath/universal energy. It is practised by doing breathing exercises to develop vital energy for vitality, mind expansion, spiritual cultivation and longevity.

The basic exercise is standing in a certain position (many times like animals do) and to breath with an empty mind. Chi-Kung knows also the form of massaging various areas of the body and forms of sitting, walking and sleeping.

The rank system has 3 levels: first are the Kyu levels (from 3rd Kyu to 1st Kyu). Next are the black-belt levels: Shokei (small brother), Chukei (middle brother), Taikei (big brother). Last are the Master levels: Kyoren-ho (assistant teacher), Kyoren (teacher/Master) and Denjin (Grandmaster). These techniques are being taught since 1991 on Tai-Kai and in the Honbu Dojo (Japan) and are classified into a system since 2003.

If you want to train in the Chugoku Kenpo-system you must be a member of Genbukan or KJJR.