IIRC there is a record of Doshin So, attending also Hakko Ryu classes for a short time, which was added to the chin na side of the art, which explains the japanese jujutsu-looking locking side of the art. There is also sections on defenses from 'judo style attacks' which is explained by the fact that most japanse children having done a couple of years of judo at school. Shorinji Kempo is a very nice art, Have you seen its Kyokushinkai-like offshoot - Byakuren Karate-Kempo Founded by So Doshin's bodyguard and student, Masayasu Sugihara. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtwY1jaM798"]YouTube - Byakuren Karaté[/ame]
good video saw this art on fight quest, and rules were simple: you can only kick to the head, but punch with hands to the body all you want! These guys are seriously tough Guys!
Your thinking of Kyokushinkai on fight quest, the Byakuren Karate-Kempo people share the sparring method, (and also participate in the same competitions?) but AFAIK also seem to have other sections not geared towards that type of kumite.
Theres a few great clips of shorinji kempo here: [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnWTdvmfdIY"]YouTube - 少林寺拳法・対æ¦å™¨æŽ›ã‚Šç¨½å¤[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLcPWtOgjYU&feature=related"]YouTube - 森é“基　巻è½[/ame]
Becuase of the influence of Henry Okazaki and Danzan-Ryu Aikijutsu I think many Kempo/Kenpo branches have that feeling.
I train in Kempo Jujitsu so I can see where a lot of it ties in. I don't think I'm really in a position to comment too much because mine does incorporate a lot of the throws, holds and locks from the jujitsu side and mainly the striking and techniques from the Kempo side. To be honest I find it tremendously good fun and have reached yellow belt status! My 5 year old daughter is doing her red belt grading in a couple of weeks and is actrually pretty good at it. It does seem to be a very street smart combination but I guess every school is different. My teacher is a very open minded man and has black belt status in several styles including Ninjitsu so I think it is reflected in what we learn as he finds it useful to throw in stuff from other styles to broaden our horizons. I would really recommend it to people, despite the fact that Kempo seems to get a bad name in a lot of places these days. Let us know how it works out for you.
