Shorin-Ryu Karate
Okinawa, Japan, birthplace of modern day karatedo and kobudo. The following is a compilation of different sources of information about the evolution of Kobyayashi Shorin Ryu and Okinawan Kobudo.
Historians believe that the art of Okinawa Te first originated independently of any other combat system. Unarmed combat can be traced back over 1,000 years. Because the islanders were not of wealthy status, weapons were scares. Also, the un-settled state of the island gave rise to many aggressive warlords, each battling for supremacy of the island. As a result of these circumstances, a strong incentive developed for the evolvement of unarmed combat.
By the mid 1340’s, Okinawa entered into a trade relationship with China. This trade and political friendship allowed the Okinawan people to observe the different aspects of China, thus their exposure to Chinese boxing systems. Furthermore, by the late 1300’s, in a tributary relationship, 36 Chinese families and businessmen settled on Okinawa. They brought with them a variety of skills, including Chinese martial arts.
Through the 1400’s, the islands experienced much turmoil. At first the island was unified by King Sho Hashi in 1429. At this time the Okinawan’s were still able to possess weapons. However in 1470, King Sho Hashi destroyed the former dynasty and made due his own. Soon all arms were banned on the island in fear that his reign might be overthrown. As a result, the emphasis on the fighting arts progressed. The main villages of Okinawa are credited with the main styles that emerged from Okinawa Te. For the village of Shuri, came Shuri Te; from the village of Naha, came Naha Te; Finally from the village of Tomari, came Tomari Te.
These styles of unarmed and armed combat were practiced in secrecy for years. Differences between Te styles suggest the different influences of various Chinese styles. Shuri-Te seem to utilize the external system of Shaolin boxing. Naha-Te incorporates the use of internal Taoist techniques. Tomai-Te appears to be a mix of both internal and external fighting systems. These variances alone are responsible for the evolution of the different styles into the distinct martial arts styles they are today.
In 1609, Okinawa was seized by the Japanese Satsuma Samurai clan for refusing to recognize Japan’s newest Shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu. As a result, the Shogunate banned the Okinawa people from carrying weapons. This only further fueled the importance of developing the martial arts as a mean of survival.
At this time, the Japanese had banned all trade relationships with other countries. However, they still allowed Okinawa to trade with China. Around the mid to late 1700’s, a Chinese diplomat named Kusaku moved to Okinawa for 6 years. During his stay he began teaching the Chinese system of Ch’uan-Fa. As these influences were introduced into the different martial arts, they gradually became known as Tode or “Chinese Hand.” By the 1800’s these styles were again re-named. Shuri and Tomari-Te formed the basis for Okinawan Sho Rin Ryu, while Naha-Te formed Goju Ryu and Uechi Ryu.
Although Kunsanku is often believed to be a culmination of different Chinese officers, he is often referred to as one person. As is recorded, Tode Sakugawa began studying under Kusanku-sensei. The teachings of Kusanku enabled Sakugawa to combine the essence of both Te and Chinese Boxing principles. These principles form the basis of modern day Shorin Ryu.
The following is a record of the lineage of Shorin Ryu Karatedo. Each master featured was the direct instructor of the next. Listed are the names of the kata’s each instructor was either known for or introduced to the system.
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Kusanku=Kusanku Kata
Tode Sakugawa=Passai Kata
Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura=Passai Kata and Chinto
Itosu-sensei was such an incredible instructor that in 1903, he became the first martial artist to introduce karate-do into the public schools of Okinawa. His students included Gichin Funakoshi-sensei. It was not until the late 1800’s that Funakoshi-sensei termed the essence of Te as “Karate-Do” or “The Way of the Empty Hand.” Funakoshi-sensei later founded ShotoKan Karate.
Ankoh Yasutsune Itsou=5 Pinan Kata, Naihanchi Nidan, Naihanchi Sandan, Passai Sho, Passai Dai, Kusanku Sho, Kusanku Dai
As Sho Rin Ryu began to
branch further and further, and other styles evolved from Itosu-sensei’s
karate, an attempt was made by one of Itosu-sensei’s students to preserve his
instructor’s teachings. Itosu-sensei’s most loyal and dedicated student,
Chosin Chibana-sensei renamed the style, Kobayashi-Ryu (Shorin Ryu- “Young
Forest Style”) to indicate that he taught Itosu-sensei’s original style.
Chosin Chinbana=Gojushiho Kata
Chibana-sensei’s most notable student, Shuguro Nakazato-sensei became the head of the Shorin Ryu-Shorin Kan branch of Kobayashi. Chibana-sensei’s other most notable student, Katsuya Miyahira-sensei, became the head of Shorin Ryu-Shido Kan branch of Kobayashi.
Nakazato-sensei first
began training in Shito Ryu Karate-do under Seiichi Iju-sensei. While training
in Shito Ryu, he began training in Kobudo under Seiro Tonaki-sensei.
Nakazato-sensei then entered the Japanese Army where he was taught bayonet
techniques. By the end of World War II, Nakazato-sensei returned to Okinawa and became a disciple of Chibana-sensei. In 1951, Nakazato-sensei opened a dojo
together with Chibana-sensei naming it “Chibana Dai Ichi Dojo.” Four years
later, he opened the Sho Rin Kan dojo, which he presently operates. Until
1958, Nakazato trained bojitsu under Tonaki-sensei’s son, Masami Chinen-sensei
of the name famed Yamani-Chinen Ryu Bojitsu style. Nakazato-sensei believed
that Chibana-sensei had taught Anko Itosu-sensei’s style without altering it.
However, because Itosu-sensei’s style had little kumite, Nakazato-sensei took
it upon himself to add the Kihon and Fukyu kata.
Shuguro Nakazato=Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan
Tadashi Yamashita-sensei wished to make a very natural progression of the art. As with the original masters, technique evolved as a progression of effective application. He maintains the respect and honor of the original Kobayashi system. Nakazato-sensei encouraged him to come to the United States to allow him to more freely add his own influences to the martial arts. Yamashita-sensei ‘s nature is more aligned with the original masters. He has always strived to improve upon what was given to him. It is with this progressive approach that Yamashita-sensei has developed his system of Suiken-do and has applied these principles to his practice of Shorin-Ryu. Yamashita-sensei honors and respects the traditions of Itosu-sensei’s original style. It is with respect for these traditions that what Yamashita-sensei practices and teaches not become confused with wishes to alter the original system. Instead, he has established a natural progression of this personal interpretation.
Tadashi Yamashita=Yamashita Shorin-Ryu