MOSES LAKE — When he began teaching martial arts to Grant, Adams and Lincoln county law enforcement in the 1970s, Kiyoji Miyamoto probably didn’t expect his particular area of expertise to become popular worldwide.

His dojo, or place of practice, was one of only 35 in the world outside Japan, where Shorinji Kempo originated. Now, Miyamoto says there are approximately 1.5 million students of kempo. And how many dojos are there outside of Japan today?

“Hundreds, thousands I bet you,” Miyamoto said.

Though many people in the Moses Lake area know him because of his restaurants – he has owned two since he moved to Moses Lake and currently manages Tsunami Sushi – Miyamoto has a long history with the martial arts. He is a third degree black belt in kempo, just one rank from being classified as a monk.

Miyamoto took a break from teaching martial arts for a number of years. About three years ago, he noticed his physical condition wasn’t as he wanted it to be. And then two Moses Lake police officers approached him, asking him to teach.

“So I decided to go back teaching kempo again,” he said.

Miyamoto’s class is part of the Spokane branch of the World Shorinji Kempo Organization (WSKO). The Spokane dojo, Miyamoto said, is led by Sensei (“teacher”) Chad, who is also a third degree black belt.

Miyamoto explained that about once a month, he travels to Spokane to practice and Sensei Chad travels to Moses Lake. His approximately 10 students are also students of the Spokane branch but tests are given locally. Classes are held Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Airway Drive, next to the miniature golf course.

Miyamoto said it costs $47 to join, for registration and ID cards, and membership is $40 a month, to cover rent for the classroom and Sensei Chad’s travel expenses to Moses Lake.

Miyamoto is not paid to teach – in fact, he is not allowed to profit as part of the WSKO. Making a profit is one way to be “hamon,” or kicked out of the organization.

“I was told to teach and I want to be healthy, that’s all,” Miyamoto said.

What is Shorinji Kempo?

Kempo originated in southern Japan’s Shikoku Island in 1947, after the end of World War II, as a partially religious group. Kempo’s first master incorporated Zen Buddhism into self defense. Miyamoto said the practice was, at first, a secret, but has become increasingly popular with the rise of technology.

Though the religious aspects of kempo are not focused on, philosophy and meditation, as well as discipline, are incorporated into the self defense practice that comprises kempo.

Miyamoto said kempo helps him teach students how and why to live, half for self and half for others. This, coupled with the respect demonstrated in class by bowing and removing one’s shoes, are important to kempo.

“It shows what kind of person you are or will be,” Miyamoto said.

He explained there are three main types of meditation practiced in kempo. There is active meditation, such as punching and kicking, and quiet meditation, such as studying and practicing breathing techniques. The third type of meditation Miyamoto described is one not practiced much outside Japan.

“Sei-ho” is based on chiropractic techniques and is generally avoided outside Japan because of liability issues, Miyamoto said. But, he added, it is something he shows his students as part of kempo.

“If we know how to dislocate a joint, we better know how to put it back,” he explained.

Other techniques in kempo include “go-ho,” or punching and kicking.

“The unique thing about kempo is, we have a technique called ju-ho,” Miyamoto said, which involves twisting joints, throwing one’s opponent and attacking nerve point. The technique has no real size or strength requirements, he added.

“Children, women, elder persons can learn these techniques,” Miyamoto explained.

Weapons are not used in kempo until a student reaches monk status – one must be a fourth degree black belt.

Jim Reyna, one of Miyamoto’s students, said kempo has been very interesting for him. Reyna, who is a first degree black belt in karate, is a second degree brown belt in kempo and preparing for his first degree brown belt test. Because he is already involved in martial arts, Reyna said it’s been interesting to learn different styles and meeting different people. He and Dave Sands, also with the Moses Lake police, started classes with Miyamoto more than two years ago.

“It’s getting to know different techniques, getting to get closer with Kiyoji,” he added.

Miyamoto said kempo has been a positive part of his life and it makes him feel good.

“I do live my life, recently, more seriously based on this religious philosophy,” he said.