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We see the origin of martial artsat Houryuin
all the way back in Min era of China when a monk of Houryuintemple
who excelled both in martial artsand tactics was appointed to
be the bodyguard of the then Emperor. He became the first Master
of Houryuin-Shinken. Since then the successive Mastersof Houryuin
temple had been assigned the mission of VIPs bodyguard for morethan
540 years. The hidden teachingshave been handed down from generation
to generation within the family. So Hakuho, the father of Asuka
Shimizuwas one of a descendant. He had been trained very hard
by hisgrandfather and his father since he was littleand worked
as a bodyguard of VIPs including state guests until his retirementin
1990.
Entering the 20th century, the currentof the times reached China
and Japan, which made Hakurin (grandfather ofHakuoh) and Hakuki
(father of Hakuoh) moved from China to Japan via Korea.However
even in the turbulent social conditions, they'd never given
uptheir ancestral teachings to keep it to today.
In 1979, Hakuho, Asuka's father wasencouraged to open his dojo
(a training hall) named "Shinken (= mind'sfist ) -juku" to teach
others as well as to keephis own mind peaceful, where he was
impressed so much by young studentswho disciplined themselves
that he came to strengthen his will tohand down the heritage
to them who would live in future. The martial artsfor him should
never be a tool for beating others down but a way to strivefor
the fulfillment in one selves which would be achieved onlywith
high spirits of consideration toward their opponents. Then in
1990, he renamed his dojo"Houryuin-Shinken" when he retired
his job of body guarding. AskaShimizu started her training with
his father whenshe was 3 years old and in December,1995 she
finally succeeded 'the seventeenth Master' of Houryuin-Shinken. |
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