History
Shōrin-ryū Shōrinkan
Okinawa Kobudo
Karate, as we know it today, originated on the Ryukyu Archipelago, more commonly known as the Island of Okinawa, (Birthplace of Karate), Japan.
Shorin-Ryu is one of the oldest and most widely practiced styles of karate. is a form of Karate that was developed in 1933 by Choshin Chibana. It is a traditional Okinawan martial art that combines elements of Shuri-te and other Okinawan styles yet the karate system itself is much older. Its name is derived from the Okinawan words "sho", meaning "sparse" or "scanty", and "rin", meaning "forest". The characters in Japanese are pronounced "shōrin", which is also used in the Chinese and Japanese words for Shaolin. "Ryū" means "school". Shōrin-ryū combines elements of the traditional Okinawan fighting styles of Shuri-te, Naha-te, and Tomari-te, which were developed in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Shorin-Ryu is known for its emphasis on breathing, body movement, and efficient use of technique. It is also known for its focus on kata (forms) and kihon (basics). Shorin-Ryu is a popular form of Karate that is practiced around the world.
The Okinawa Karate-do Shorin-Ryū Shorinkan Association is a branch of the Kobayashi Shorin-ryū style of Okinawan Karate. It was founded by Shūgorō Nakazato, Hanshi 10th Dan, who was a student of Choshin Chibana. After Chibana's death in 1969, Nakazato assumed the title of Vice President of the Okinawa Shorin-Ryū Karate-do Association. In November 1975, Nakazato resigned and established the Okinawa Karate-do Shorin-Ryū Shorinkan Association. The Association seeks to promote the traditional Okinawan Karate-do style of Shorin-Ryū through teaching, research, and the preservation of its original principles and philosophy.
The traditional kata Chibana sensei, is one of the most important and revered katas in kobudo. It is comprised of 15 katas that are believed to have been passed down through generations of karate masters.
Shōrin-ryū
少林流
Shūgorō Nakazato
Who is
Shorin-Ryu?
SHORIN-RYU
Is a system on unarmed combat which can be traced back over 1000 years from Okinawa, Japan. Although Okinawa-Te, originated in Okina- wa, Japan, birthplace of modern day Karatedo (empty hand combat), and Kobudo (weapons), it developed from both Te, and Chinese boxing principles.
For many years the martial arts was studied in secrecy. Government instability, and oppression forced Okinawa, Japan to develop their martial arts as a means of survival. Three main villages from Okinawa (Shuri, Naha, and Tomari), are credited with the main styles that emerged from Okinawa-Te. Through Kusanku-sensei, a Chinese diplomat who moved to Okinawa for 6 years, Shuri-Te and Tomari-Te formed the basis for Shorin-Ryu, while Naha-Te formed Goju-Ryu, and Nechi-Ryu.
As Shoryin-Ryu began to branch out, other styles evolved form itosu-sen- sei's teachings. An attempt was made by one of Itosu- Sensei's students to preserve the art. Itosu-sensei's most dedicated student, Chibana-sensei, renamed the style Kobayashi-Ryu (Shoryn-Ryu--Young Forest Style), to indicate that he taught Itosu-sensei's original style. Chibana-sensei's most notable student, Nakazato-sensei, became and is presentlyhead of Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan branch of Kobayashi. Chibana-sensei's other most notable student, Miyahira-sensei became the head of Shorin-Ryu Shidokan branch of Kobayashi.
