.:: Nippon Kempo is a scientific and practical combat sport. While it is not steeped in the usual martial dogma associated with most traditional martial art forms; it does retain in training, some of the traditional, spiritual and ceremonial aspects of the Japanese martial culture, which aid efficiency in training. The founder, Sawayama, studied numerous fighting forms and created a system that incorporated whatever was realistic and practical from each. In order to achieve maximum realism with minimum injury, he devised an unique armour, based on that used by Samurai. This armour enables contact sparring with little or no danger of serious injury. It was Sawayama's belief that contact sparring was a vital constituent in combat training. By experiencing a level of realistic combat, fear can be broken down and confidence and courage built.

The backbone to Sawayama's system is a series of techniques. By continual drill of these, a student is able to develop mobility, sharp timing, distancing and speed.
The name Nippon Kempo does not denote a philosophy of combat. Literally translated from Japanese, it means - Japanese way of the Fist.

.:: WhoCanJoin

.:: Adults

1. Anyone aged 18 years or over.
2. Persons over 40 years or above will require a medical note from their GP stating they are fit to train.

.:: Not Permitted

1. Anyone suffering from any of the following: debilitating migraines or hay fever, heart disorder, haemophilia, epilepsy, diabetes, nervous disorder, or any other condition that will affect the normal practice of Nippon Kempo.
2. Any physical disability that will prevent normal practice.
3. Artificial limbs.
4. Anyone who has been convicted of a crime of violence.

.:: Juveniles

1. A juvenile is anyone under 18 years of age.
2. Normal age of membership of the UK Association of Nippon Kempo is 18 years of age. However, at the discretion of a club's senior coach, juveniles may be admitted.

.:: Terms of Juveniles Admission:
1. An applicant is adequately mentally mature.
2. Applicant is of a size to enable the wearing of the armour.
3. An applicant must have written permission to participate in Nippon Kempo training from parent/guardian.
4. Parent/guardian are responsible for the safe journey of juveniles to and from the training session.
5. Juveniles are not eligible to participate in national inter-club or international competitions.

.:: WhoFindsItIdeal

.:: Males

1. Aged 18 to 35 years have statistically been the most successful.
2. Aged 35+ are an equally successful group because of their maturity. Their ripe years have not disadvantaged them in anyway.
3. Juveniles: generally find it more demanding mentally than physiologically. However, where they have been admitted and received full parental support they have matured into excellent adult members.

.:: Females

1. Aged 18 to 35 years have statistically been the most successful.
2. Generally females have found it daunting physically. However, our female members who follow the same training programme as the males, have trained and earned black belts.
3. Females can feel pressured in the predominantly male environment of the current UK clubs. However, females have an equal chance of reaching black belt as any male member. In relative terms the rate of attrition and members reaching black belt is no different between males and females.