Doshin So is most known as the creator and founder of Shorinji Kempo and the doctrine Kongo Zen.
11 Facts About Doshin So
2.
Doshin So was the eldest in 3 siblings; his father a customs officer and his mother, a seamstress.
3.
Doshin So's grandfather was an expert in kendo, sojutsu, and most likely Fusen-ryu jujutsu; he often taught young Michiomi whenever he had the time.
4.
Doshin So was then taken under the patronage of his grandfather's friend Mitsuru Toyama, who was founder of the Black Ocean Society, the forerunner of the Black Dragon Society.
5.
Doshin So managed to escape to Japan with the help of his friends in Chinese secret societies, finally being repatriated in 1946.
6.
Many sources claim that Doshin So trained in Hakko-ryu Jujutsu and that techniques from there was incorporated in Shorinji Kempo.
7.
Doshin So died of heart disease one year later, before he could take up this task.
8.
Doshin So had two daughters in his first marriage, no children in the second, and one daughter in the third marriage.
9.
Doshin So married Takada Toyoko in March 1934, while he was still training in Henan.
10.
Doshin So was a frequent visitor to brothels during his years in mainland China; in a similar fashion to the infamous Zen Buddhist monk Ikkyu, So saw promiscuity as a vital part of his religious and martial arts training.
11.
Doshin So eventually decided to put his libidinous ways behind him immediately after the Second World War.