We are a club that has been around for about 3 years with about 12 member (both student and non-student)
besides the instructor Professor Eric Messersmith. We meet several times a week at the new Recreation Center in the Gold
Room (second floor). We encourge new members to come and observe a class or two and hope you will find the
time to join us.
View our practice schedule and latest Shodan's Embu
Sensei Eric Messersmith
Sensei Messersmith joined Shorinji Kempo in 1970 while living in Kyoto, Japan. He studied at the
Kyoto Rakuto Doin Dojo with Morikawa Sensei. Sensei Messersmith placed 1st in the All Japan
Martial Arts Tournament in Tokyo in 1974 and was named Director of World Shorinji Kempo Organization
by So Doshin (founder of Shorinji Kempo) in 1976. Sensei Messersmith earned his 6th degree black
belt jun hanshi in 1981.
Sensei Messersmith opened the Shorinji Kempo branch in Miami upon his return from Japan in 1979 and
was instrumental in creating the FIU Shorinji Kempo branch in 2004.
Dr. Eric Messersmith is a professor at FIU in Asian Studies and lives in Miami with his wife and has
two grown children and several grandchildren.
