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Nio ken (Ken of 'Two Deva Kings')
The Nio ken family is the first and most basic set of goho techniques. They are an essential part of training to fully master the basics. They serve to enable a kenshi to learn two vital elements of Shorinji Kempo: Shu Shu Ko Ju (Defence is primary, offence is secondary) and Kosen Hisho (in fighting one must be aware of what comes before and the consequence of what comes after).
The techniques comprise a single hand attack to Jodan (choku zuki, furi zuki or shuto uchi - usually from gyaku) and a block and counter attack. There are two exceptions where the attack is to Chudan.
sankyu
ryusui geri
uchi uke zuki
uwa uke geri
uwa uke zuki
nikyu
tenshin geri
uchi uke geri
ikkyu
soto uke zuki
soto uke geri
oshi uke zuki (soto)
kusshin zuki
kusshin geri
shodan
Sango ken (Ken of 'Three Meeting')
The Sango ken family comprises of techniques, which have a single hand or foot attack to Chudan (choku zuki, gyaku geri or mawashi geri). The defence is a block followed by a chudan geri counter attack. They are characterised by chudan attack and defence, and the attacks are mostly comprised of kicks. The gamae vary greatly so it's important to pay attention to them.
sankyu
shita uke geri
shita uke jun geri
nikyu
yoko tenshin geri
han tenshin geri
juji uke geri
ikkyu
shodan
harai uke geri
Tenno ken (Ken of 'Son of Heaven')
The Tenno ken family consists of techniques with multiple hand or foot attacks, beginning with Jodan zuki. The defence is from ichiji gamae and, after a series of blocks, usually has a chudan geri counter attack. The key element of the techniques is ikkyo rengeki (series of attacks in one action). They are carried out virtually simultaneously with the kiai and emphasis on the final attack.
sankyu
tsuki ten ichi
nikyu
ikkyu
shodan
furi ten ni
keri ten san
tsuki ten san
Byakuren ken (Ken of 'White Lotus')
The Byakuren ken family of techniques emphasise the use of blocking and counter attacking with the same hand (although not exclusively). The two moves are carried out quickly in one flowing move. The techniques tend to be graceful with tai sabaki (foot work) a key component, followed by ren han ko.
sankyu
nikyu
tsubame gaeshi
chidori gaeshi kari ashi
ikkyu
shodan
Chio ken (Ken of 'Earth King')
The Chio ken family consists of techniques with multiple hand or foot attacks. They are similar to Tenno ken but usually begin with chudan geri.
sankyu
nikyu
ikkyu
shodan
Kakuritsu ken (Ken of 'Standing Crane')
The Kakuritsu ken techniques are based upon a defence and counter attack from kakuritsu dachi (stance from standing on one leg). The defence usually involves hiza uke followed by a geri counter attack. The block and counter attack are based on Haro kyakugeki, which is a flowing wave motion of kicking.
sankyu
nikyu
ikkyu
shodan
kinteki geri hiza uke nami gaeshi
gyaku geri hiza uke nami gaeshi
mawashi geri sambo uke nami gaeshi
Ryuo ken (Ken of 'Dragon God')
The Ryuo ken family is the first and most basic set of juho techniques. They allow kenshi to develop an understanding of Shu Shu Ko Ju (Defence is primary, offence is secondary), in that the first priority is to always protect and defend before advancing to the next action. They comprise entirely of nuki waza (escape techniques). Each technique comprises of a defence and counter attack with essential elements of tai gamae, umpo ho, tai sabaki and shuho, which create the basic building blocks for all techniques. It is essential to learn these techniques before progressing to gyaku, dori and nage waza (twisting, locking and throwing techniques). The first technique (Ryuo ken dai ichi) is Kote nuki.
sankyu
kote nuki
yori nuki (katate/ryote)
maki nuki (katate/ryote)
nikyu
kiri nuki (uchi/soto)
juji nuki (katate/ryote)
gassho nuki
kiri kaeshi nuki (katate/morote)
sankaku nuki
ikkyu
johaku nuki (katate/ryote)
oshi kiri nuki
sode nuki
eri nuki
shodan
nidan nuki
katate oshi nuki
morote hiki nuki
morote juji nuki
Ryuka ken (Ken of 'Dragon Flower')
The Ryuka ken family is a key set of gyaku and nage waza which make up the majority of juho techniques. The Ryuka ken techniques are said to be carried out by Chikara sanbu waza nanabu (strength takes a third and skill takes a seventh to make a successful technique). Thus, most are invariably difficult to master and have a subtle 'knack'. To obtain the 'knack' it requires a large amount of practise on a number of different partners and learning from an experienced instructor.
The techniques are divided into 6 sub-categories:
Gyaku gote style; Okuri gote style; Oshi gote; Juji gote; Kiri gote and Konoha style. All the techniques that follow in the sub-categories are variations of the original technique (whereby the attacker adapts to push or twist etc.).
Rakan ken (Ken of 'Buddha's Disciples')
The Rakan Ken family also makes up a large component of advanced Juho techniques, comprising mostly of dori waza and taoshi (takedowns). The techniques are a combination of Northern Shaolin styles, Rakan Shu (old Japanese style), Hashiki (grasping styles) and Mongolian combat techniques, etc... At a more senior level the techniques are often defences to Judo style grapples and throws. As with Ryuka ken, there is a specific 'knack', which must be achieved to master the techniques.
This does not include the Rakan Appo (pressure point) techniques, of which there are 35 in the 6th Dan syllabus.
sankyu
nikyu
ikkyu
johaku dori
sode dori
sode maki
sode maki tembin
ude maki
kata muna otoshi
eri juji
shodan
Goka ken (Ken of 'Five Flowers')
The Goka ken family comprises advanced, black belt nage waza and Go Ju Ittai techniques (unity of hard and soft). The principle behind this philosophy being that it is difficult to rely on only Goho or Juho techniques and that a combination of the two provides a better chance of success in self defence.
The techniques are divided into 5 sub-categories: Uwa uke nage style; Katate nage style; Kannuki nage; Bokkutsu nage; and Tembin style.
As Ryuka ken, the techniques that follow in the sub-categories are variations of the original technique.
sankyu
nikyu
ikkyu
shodan
Kongo ken (Ken of 'Diamond Strength')
The Kongo ken family comprises solely of Katame waza and Ho gi (locking and grasping) techniques. They are a revision of various Kongo kengo no sei techniques from Northern Shaolin Ha shiki and Da ho (grasping and holding) techniques.
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