Chozen-ji Zen Training System

Omori Sogen studied Zen, calligraphy, and swordsmanship.  He was a Direct Dharma Successor of the Tenryu-ji Line of Rinzai Zen, the successor of Yamaoka Tesshu’s Taishi School of Calligraphy, and a master of the Jikishinkage School of Fencing.  Like others before him who also studied Zen, martial arts and fine arts, most famous of whom are Yamaoka Tesshu and Miyamoto Musashi, Omori Sogen realized that any art taken to its fullest—that is, to realize one’s true self nature—can be a Way for man.

Omori Sogen’s training method is implemented as the basis of Zen training at Daihonzan Chozen-ji—Zen, Ken (“Swordsmanship”), Sho (“Calligraphy”) to bring the idea of shugyo (deep,spiritual forging and training) to the West.  Ken (“sword”) was expanded to include all budo (Marital Arts), sho (“calligraphy”) was also broadened to include all fine arts. 

Based on the training method of Zen Ken Sho used at the Daihonzan Chozen-ji, the Academy has incorporated the training method into a program known as Chozen-ji Zen. With this as the basis of its educational system, the Academy seeks to bring this teaching around the world to create more compassionate individuals for the sake of humanity.