9. From the Sixty Mat Dojo to a 220 mat training hall
On January 10, 1954, the expanded Hombu Dojo was unveiled at the traditional New Year's Opening Day Ceremony (kagami biraki shiki), marking a new epoch in the history of Shorinji Kempo. Having gone from five and a half mats, to 60 mats, and then to two floors which combined for an area of 220 mats, Shorinji Kempo now commanded quite a spacious setting for training. The old Sixty Mat Dojo was connected through a meter-wide doorway, thus allowing free passage between the two spaces. For 13 years afterward, this "Hombu Dojo" was known to kenshi all over Japan as Kongo Zen Sohonzan Shorinji. After the Japanese federation was established, Hombu Dojo also took on the role of General Headquarters for the All Japan Shorinji Kempo Federation. Then, in 1967, Hombu Rensei Dojo was built at one corner of Toryo Prefectural Park, and the role of General Headquarters was transferred to the new location. From that point on, the dojo was re-dedicated for use as one branch within Kongo Zen Sohonzan Shorinji, the Hombu Doin.