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The 23-generation-old art of Kosho Shorei Ryu is defined by the practice of eight specific arts of study, taught in a deeply comprehensive and integrated way, with a primary emphasis on self cultivation through Kosho Shorei. David LoPriore, the current Kai Cho (Headmaster) founded Kosho Shorei Shin Kai to teach and proliferate an integrated practice of the original eight arts of Kosho Shorei Ryu. This page serves as an introduction to his ryu-ha of the ancient art of traditional Kosho Shorei Ryu. If you like what you see on this page, please seek out qualified instruction in Kosho Shorei Shin Kai Kosho Shorei Ryu.
Most people who wish to train in Kosho Shorei Ryu are primarily interested in Kempo or Seikempo, our martial arts. Many students who begin studying with us already hold black belts in other martial arts. This is because of the unique, advanced and comprehensive study of traditional Japanese martial arts offered by KSSK, including the enrichment provided by the other arts you will be introduced to below. There are several aspects of Seikempo that make it unique. Firstly, it actually works in any combative situation! This is because it is based on the Principles of Natural Law, which have been carefully observed by generations of warrior-monks, so that students can flow effortlessly with any new situation, regardless of whether it was specifically taught to them in a class, and be effective. This is not the way of nearly any other arts still in existence. Most arts are completely "waza" driven: they teach technique after technique, hoping to cover all of the bases for any possible situation which could arise. But, clearly there will always be wrinkles, or even major types of situations which it would not be possible to cover specifically in a Dojo, and for which students would then be left unprepared.
Secondly, our art is very old! So, there have been many challenging combative situations which have arisen and past headmasters have solved, which the art now holds answers for. Not much is new about how someone could attack, after 770 years of experience! We have a wide variety of strategies at the student's disposal, which could be the solution to many types of attacks. We have very powerful, advanced striking arts (hard/external style, and soft/internal style using knowledge of acupuncture points), throwing, joint-locking and escaping arts, both armed and unarmed, versus single and multiple attackers, all using power dynamics, alignments, energy projection, and subtle integration of mind and body based on the Principles of Nature.
Thirdly, Kosho Shorei Ryu Seikempo offers comprehensive and completely integrated training in both hard/external style, and soft/internal style martial arts using knowledge of acupuncture points, ki/energy meridians, and other knowledge from the Eight Arts of Kosho Shorei Ryu, which you will read about below. Sensei LoPriore, our Headmaster, is an Acupuncturist with nearly twenty years experience in Asian medicine. So we have comprehensive knowledge of the acu-points, and the nature of ki/energy as it flows through the body. This allows for much greater facility at disrupting it in an accurate and effective way for self defense, as well as for the student to learn how to balance and tonify his own energy to enhance his health, which of course is another aspect of self-defense. Energy striking arts, using the principles of Asian medicine's meridians and acu-points, make our Seikempo uniquely able to teach Naijutsu - advanced knock-out and disabling techniques that simply do not exist in many if any other arts in this way.
What sets our lineage of traditional Kosho Shorei Ryu apart is the primary emphasis of two essential facets of the art: Firstly, Kosho Shorei Ryu is about Shorei. Kosho Shorei Ryu is not primarily a martial art. Although it has some of the most advanced traditional Japanese bugei (martial arts) ever seen, this traditional Japanese warrior-monk lineage art is primarily about discovering how to get out of your own way in life. Shorei means Diligent Self-Cultivation. The emphasis on learning all eight of the Eight Arts of Kosho Shorei Ryu is the second essential facet emphasized. For those interested in martial arts, understand that the deep study of each of the other arts of Kosho Shorei Ryu is the only way to gain the deepest understanding of Seikempo, our martial art.
The information below pertains to the study of the eight arts by adult students. These studies are carefully modified as appropriate for children of various ages. Certain topics are not taught to children at all until they enter the adult classes. The secrets of these arts are revealed slowly over time, and only through diligent training and the slaying of the ego, as is Japanese tradition.
Jump to one of the Eight arts using the following Eight Arts Index
 
1. The first art in traditional Kosho Shorei Ryu is Energy Cultivation. It is one of the most important arts because without vibrant and balanced energy, a healthy body, a calm clear mind, balanced emotions, and a virtuous spirit are not possible. Without holistic health, we cannot have the most positive impact in and on the world. Skill in any pursuit requires energy and wellness, and therefore requires a diligent pursuit of energy cultivation. The Kosho Shorei Ryu definition of wellness goes far beyond merely the absence of symptoms. James Mitose Sensei, 21st Kosho Shorei Ryu Headmaster, expounded on many methods of developing the physical, mental and spiritual energies. These techniques are all practiced in KSSK. High-level skills are developed using these methods, which enhance human capacities in many areas. These enhanced skills are of obvious importance in both healing arts and martial arts. They are also indispensable in deepening human relationships. Additionally, more energy translates into more physical power, and a greater capacity for subtle coordination and kinesthetic sensitivity, which are required in advanced martial- and healing arts.
Energy cultivation exercises, Ki Waza in Japanese, are practiced using formal and informal methods. Formal Ki Waza are numerous in KSSK. We begin with relatively short, simple warm-ups and forms, and progress to some of the most advanced (and historically secret) forms available. The practice of these higher-level forms prepares the Kosho Shorei Ryu-jin for the practice of advanced “internal” martial arts: arts that use potentially lethal striking and locking techniques with the knowledge of and sensitivity to the acu-points and meridial energy network within the human body. The most advanced martial arts have always taken advantage of a detailed knowledge of the human body and mind. Advanced Seikempo requires both a detailed understanding of the functions of the body and mind, and an ability to sense, project and disperse ki-energy at will. KSSK Energy-Cultivation exercises also prepare students for the skilled practice of Asian medicine: including massage, shiatsu, Ki Waza/Qigong, and acupuncture. Kai Cho LoPriore is a physician-level practitioner of this medicine, and practices acupuncture and these other arts for 40-60 patients per week. He has been practicing Asian medicine since 1990.
The informal methods of Energy Cultivation are the habits that form a healthy lifestyle. Based on the philosophy of ancient Chinese Five Element Theory, there are five ways to collect energy naturally, all day long: Air, Water, Food, Rest, and Positive Mind. The ancient healer-sages believed in Holistic Wellness. They felt it wisest to obtain and maintain health at the deepest “energetic” level, by doing things to increase overall health and vital energy before disease could start or gain any foothold. By enhancing specific aspects of our ki/energy, we are able to resist disease at the most exterior levels, and throughout each level of defense, we are able to be sick less. More importantly, we can live a much more vital life; not merely surviving, but really Living (with a capital “L”)! Here are five important methods for increasing Holistic Wellness by collecting Ki (energy).
Energy Cultivation through "Perfect Action"
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Method
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Elemental Correspondence
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Quantities, Qualities and Methods
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Water
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Water
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Filtered spring water is best. Be careful of bottled “filtered water”. It often does not contain the all-important minerals necessary for high functioning. The average adult needs two liters a day, plus any additional water required to replenish water lost via sweat during exercise. Also, don’t count the water consumed at meals. Children can have less, of course, but an 8-year-old child would do well to drink an entire liter daily. A good habit to initiate is keeping a water bottle around all the time to sip, preferably one with volume marks |
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Sleep & Rest
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Wood
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We need an average of 7-9 hours’ sleep every night. This implies that we are resting this long. Don’t count time spent in bed reading, etc., and subtract lots of time for each time you awaken, or have restless sleep. We are looking for 7-9 hours of deeply restful and rejuvenating sleep, where the mind and spirit are fully relaxed and being re-nourished. Children, of course, need more sleep, and time away from TV, which can over-stimulate the mind and nervous system, causing many disharmonies.
Rest is important at other times besides during sleep. One of the most powerful exercises one can do to rest the mind is meditation. Effective meditation taught by a qualified teacher offers a very valuable perspective and distance from the chattering mind. Bushidokai Traditional Martial Arts offers free meditation classes. |
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Food
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Earth
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Natural food is the key here. The more de-natured your food is, the fewer nutrients your body draws from it. Junk food is, in fact junk. It offers very little energy or nutrition for your body and mind. Fast food might be fast, but it is often also "junk", and the speed with which you get it and eat it allows for little nutrition.
As far as weight-loss “diets” go, all of our research indicates that they generally aren’t such a great idea. Instead, make lifestyle changes that you can sustain for years. Losing more than a pound a week can be unhealthy. Control quantities and exercise sensibly. If you want to lose weight, its a good idea to increase your metabolism before you change your diet too much, so your body doesn’t react as if you’re “starving” it, and actually retain fat in self-defense. To increase your metabolism, exercise in a reasonable way (which can mean lots of things to different people) and take herbs that will help you lose weight slowly and healthfully. When taking any supplement, use the highest-quality products available. These are often only available through qualified practitioners, who can prescribe them for specific health issues, at the correct dose. High-quality herbs ensure both safety and efficacy. Make sure what ever you take does not list Ma Huang (Ephedra) as an ingredient, especially if you have or suspect high blood pressure.
Because our food is generally over-processed, it is largely devoid of bulk nourishment. See Sensei LoPriore for high-quality whole-food herbal vitamins. Most chemical vitamins are far less compatible with your body, and are not absorbed as well.
How you eat is just as important as what you eat. Asian medicine recommends never eating with stress: not in your car, at your desk, while standing, while watching TV, while talking about business, or when you have to rush back to work. |
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Air
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Metal
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High-quality air is important! This may not surprise you, but if you work or go to school where there are lots of people, or in a large building, you might be breathing low quality air as much as 40-50 hours a week. How we breathe is very important too. Firstly, practice inhaling through the nose. The nasal hairs filter and warm the air. Filtering the air eliminates the inhalation of many airborne particles which would make a person sick, or challenge the immune system.
Secondly, breathe deeply into the abdomen. Most people breathe only into the upper 1/3 of their lungs, missing an opportunity to collect 67% more energy several times a minute! Remember to take a few deep, conscious breaths fully into the belly several times a day. Formal breathing practice is an essential part of the energy collection exercises of Kosho Shorei Ryu Naijutsu (internal arts).
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Positive Mind
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Fire
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Challenging things will happen in your life. They just will. It’s how we interpret these things internally that matters. If we see problems as challenges, or even opportunities, instead of more burden, we will free up substantial amounts of healing energy. Most people waste huge amounts of energy holding old stagnated emotions they were unable to assimilate. Worse, these held stases become physical masses, and can even become cancerous over time. Letting them go and rediscovering your Authentic Self will be an important part of the process of healing and wellness a student or patient will undergo with the help of Kosho Shorei Ryu Energy Medicine. |
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2. The second art in Traditional Kosho Shorei Ryu is Healing Arts. Together, the first and second arts comprise the arts of Wellness. Once a practitioner has developed his “Ki” energy, he can use it to keep himself and others healthy using the traditional Asian healing methods. These include five main arts. In order of importance, they are as follows:
- Shorei coaching or lifestyle counseling, which is all about slaying the ego.
- Ki Waza Energy Cultivation Exercises: these include manual energy techniques done for a sick or imbalanced person, or the teaching of ki-waza kata (forms).
- Acupuncture
- Shiatsu and Anma bodywork therapies, including moxibustion, cupping, and micro-system therapies, such as ear, abdominal, hand, or foot therapies.
- Traditional herbal medicine. Including salves and liniments. These were always a part of the environment in traditional Dojo.
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3. The third art in Traditional Kosho Shorei Ryu is the Kosho Shorei Yoga Jumping Arts.
These arts are essential for physical health, and lay the foundation for all of the martial arts we study. Our Kosho Shorei Yoga Jumping Arts are numerous. The first introduction to them comes in the form of what we call ZigZag drills and “Octagon Drills”. These drills are excellent for the development of the muscles and tendons, as well as cardiovascular fitness. They move the larger joints where ki-stagnation sits, which causes the illnesses we may all experience in later life unless we are pro-active about doing these types of exercises, combined with ki-waza. They are also excellent, as you will see, for developing the ability to defend one’s self in the most comprehensive way. They provide the foundation for escaping, throwing, joint-locking, choking, grabbing, and striking arts of self-defense, against single or multiple attackers, armed or unarmed.
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4. The fourth art in Traditional Kosho Shorei Ryu is the Escaping Arts.
Mitose Sensei is clear in all of his writings that the highest-level martial art in Kempo is "True Self Defense", which he defines in the physical context as "martial arts without body contact". Although he does mention cases, such as "when an attacker has your young child by the hair", in which escaping would not be an option, he implores all Kosho Shorei Ryu practitioners to understand that the highest art is to do no harm to the attacker. Technically, and tactically, it is most challenging to defend yourself without causing any harm to the attacker. This high moral ideal is what we strive for in this art because it represents wisdom and compassion, the two most treasured virtues of our Buddhist philosophical roots. However, because it requires great skill to actually escape from a highly-committed attacker without causing him any harm, and in fact to protect him from being harmed by his own attacks, this is not a skill for beginners. So, alongside the escaping arts octagon drill, which is the primary foundational tactical drill of traditional kempo and seikempo, students are also taught goken striking arts and juken throwing, joint-locking and other submission techniques.
The picture above demonstrates how a seikempo acu-point striking technique could be used to temporarily paralyze an attacker's leg, causing no permanent harm but allowing for safe escape, despite a potentially lethal knife attack. Many techniques have their place in the arsenal of the seikempo-ka. Their use is always determined by propriety based on the context of the situation. Mature martial artists and evolved human beings know this.
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5. The fifth art in Traditional Kosho Shorei Ryu is Philosophy. This includes the art of Shodo- Japanese brush-calligraphy.
The philosophies of Kosho Shorei Ryu are informed by observable phenomenon from the natural world, which can teach us how to live in harmony with our environment, without ego, by cultivating the virtues of the Five Elements, which are Propriety and courtesy from the Fire element, Integrity from the Earth element, Righteousness and altruism from the Metal element, Wisdom and warrior-spirit from the Water element, and Human-hearted compassion from the Wood element. These are illustrated well through the development of intention, balance, centered integration, alignment, and flexibility.
Shodo is traditional Japanese brush calligraphy. The benefits of shodo practice are numerous for both the body and the mind. Physically, shodo teaches us precise alignments, the ability to shift and drop our weight from our center, and to flow effortlessly in movement, using timing and subtle precision only shodo can teach. All of these skills are essential in the higher levels of development in martial arts, healing arts, and personal development.
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For mental and spiritual development, shodo gives us insight into Japanese culture and philosophy through a deep study of the kanji. Kanji are Japanese characters which are based on ancient Chinese characters. They illuminate the fundamental concepts of Asian thought. For instance, the character "Ho", which is pronounced "Po" in the word Kempo, translates to principle, law, or method. The three components of this character are water, earth, and secrecy. So, to the Japanese mind, a method, especially one that will work consistently in any circumstance (a "law") , is comprised of the ideas of water (which implies flow of knowledge from generation to generation), earth (observable principles seen in the great variety of species of plants and animals on our planet), and secrets (because the principles are not immediately obvious, but are only discernible through careful observation and deep contemplation). So a natural law is something based on the principles of water and earth/land.
The plants on the Pine, Bamboo, Plum crest of Kosho Shorei Ryu represent, among other things, the three primary eastern arts of character development. Mitose Sensei wrote that "Pine represents friendship which resists all trials, long, young, and healthy lives, and the philosophies of Taoism. Bamboo represents honesty, humility, the qualities of humble study, discipline and loyalty, and the philosophies of Buddhism. Plum represents beauty, nobility, and courage, and the philosophies of Shintoism".
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6. The sixth art in Traditional Kosho Shorei Ryu is the Push-Pull, or Folding Arts. This includes the martial arts of throwing, joint-locking, and choking. They also include the advanced internal acu-point grabbing and striking arts, which are capable of causing unconsciousness, paralysis, and even death. Obviously these arts are reserved for advanced adult students only. The Push-Pull Arts also includes the healing arts of massage, skeletal realignment, and resuscitation.
“Seikempo” are the martial arts of the Kosho Shorei Shin Kai ryu-ha (branch art). Seikempo is the term we use because it implies Seiken, or combined-fist budo. Goken is the more power-oriented foundational “hard” or external style of our martial arts, and Juken is the more subtle art, which employs the use of leverage- and advanced internal energy-projection and energy-disruption techniques. Together, the balanced use of Goken and Juken arts is termed Seiken budo, or combined-fist martial arts. Another term, Kempo, is the traditional martial art of Kosho Shorei Ryu. It denotes that all of our martial arts techniques are based in the serious observation of the Principles of Natural Law. Unfortunately, the term “Kempo” or “Kenpo” is so frequently misused, or used by martial artists who are practicing the furthest thing from Kosho Shorei Ryu Natural Law Principles-based martial arts, that Kai Cho LoPriore uses a new term which symbolizes our comprehensive combination of hard and soft (internal and external) martial arts based on the Principles of Natural Law: “Seikempo”. This term is, of course, a combination of the term “Seiken” and the term “Kempo”.
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7. The seventh art in Traditional Kosho Shorei Ryu is Meditation. No study of Kosho Shorei Ryu is complete without a serious study of meditation practice. Mitose Sensei wrote that this was an integral component of the study. By virtue of the fact that it balances the Eighth Art: the arts of war, we can see how imperative it is for the martial artist and Kosho Shorei Ryu practitioner.
Meditation is an essential component in the process of getting out of one’s own way in life, and finding an enlightened perspective. KSSK meditation practices include both formed and formless practice for beginners and advanced students alike. Kosho Shorei Ryu also has ancient teachings which combine energy cultivation techniques with meditation. This is referred to as moving meditation.
Many Kosho Shorei Ryu studies are meditative in nature, such as Kempo kata and bunkai, Shodo (brush-calligraphy) and the pulse diagnosis used in Kosho Shorei Ryu Medicine. These would all fall under “formed”, or “focused” meditation practice. But, meditation practice designed to give freedom from self-imposed suffering must include zazen, or seated meditation of the formless variety.
To be sure, a calm, focused mind, and tranquil emotions which offer great joy in life are a tremendous side effect, but the focus of meditation practice is purely and simply enlightenment. Toward that end, all students practice what we call the awareness practice meditation.
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8. The eighth art in Traditional Kosho Shorei Ryu is the War Arts. Because of the rare breadth, depth and quality of our martial arts, this is a very popular study, and is how most students enter the study of the art of Kosho Shorei Ryu. The deep sense of self-confidence and self-esteem one gains with the practice and development of skill in these arts may also be a factor. Another is just that they are a whole lot of fun! They challenge a student to achieve levels of power, focus, coordination, subtle movement and refinement of technique far beyond anything they have usually experienced before.
The unarmed war arts include any technique which is decisive and often destructive in nature, and could’ve been used to supplement the armed combat arts either on the battlefields of ancient Japan, or for the personal protection of individual monks. Because of their long history of trial by combat, these arts are still very effective for self defense today. They include the goken and juken striking arts, uke-waza (reception or blocking techniques), kicking, and throws or locks designed to cause internal or musculoskeletal trauma, including the breaking of limbs or the spine using locks instead of using them as submission techniques. There are many, many such techniques taught in our art, all with propriety of morality based on the context of the tactical situation.
The armed war arts include both iaijutsu and kenjutsu traditional Japanese swordsmanship, jojutsu (short staff), tantojutsu (knife), tanjojutsu (stick), and of course naginata-justu (glaive or halberd), the favorite battlefield weapon of the warrior-monk in ancient Japan. Iaijutsu is swordsmanship when we are starting with the sword in the saya (sheath) and we use nukitsuke (the drawing of the sword) strategically or tactically as an integral part of conquering the opponent or opponents. Kenjutsu is fencing, and starts with the sword already drawn. Both are important parts of the weapons study of any traditional Japanese martial art.
We hope you have enjoyed this introduction to traditional Kosho Shorei Ryu as practiced in KSSK. If you are a new student, or potentially one, here at Bushidokai - KSSK Hombu Dojo, don’t worry, there will be plenty training with great instruction available for you to take the time that you need to learn all of these wonderful and incredibly powerful arts. This is not something that can or should be rushed. It requires consistent effort over a long period of time to gain real skill, both in the arts and in the refinement of character available through their study. But the results are incredible; studying Kosho Shorei Ryu in Kosho Shorei Shin Kai may just transform you!
If you practice another martial art, or other traditional Asian art, and wish to study authentic, traditional Kosho Shorei Ryu, you have read a comprehensive introduction to it. The next step is to take action! Get involved by calling or visiting our Hombu Dojo. These arts cannot be learned off the internet, or from a video.
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with your questions, and we will see what we can do to make these studies available to you wherever you live. Onegaishimasu!
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...and we have lots of fun doing all of it!
This is a picture of the 2007 Kosho Shorei Shin Kai Demo Team, after working for an entire day raising money for a charity connected with Saint James' Church, in Preston, CT. The day included a very well-received demo of the Eight Arts.
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The Eight Arts 
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