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History of Shorin-ryu Shorinkan Karate
Our style
Shorin-Ryu is one of the most prestigious martial arts styles in the world. It offers a balanced system of self-defense and competitive sport. Training consists of Kata (forms), Kumite (sparring), and self-defense techniques.
Our Lineage
Okinawan Karate dates back to the sixth century when Bodhidharma (known as Daruma), an Indian monk, traveled to China and settled at a Shaolin Monastery. In the late 1300s, the concept of ch'uan-fa, meaning "fist way," was introduced due to increased trade and cultural exchanges between Okinawa and China. Evidence suggests that te, meaning "hands," was indigenous to Okinawa, the birthplace of Karate, and developed in the villages of Shuri, Naha, and Tomari. This marks the beginning of the lineage of Shorin-Ryu Kobayashi Karate, which evolved from the Shuri-te system.
The traditional Kata (forms) have been handed down from instructor to student. To quote Chibana Sensei, “Karate is teaching Kata (form) we have taken from forefathers without changing it at all.”
Kūsankū
Kūsankū (クーサンクー), also known as Kōshōkun (公相君), was a Chinese martial artist who is said to have visited Okinawa during the Ryukyu Kingdom in the mid-18th century. He practiced a martial art called kumiai-jutsu (組合術) in Ryukyu, which is believed to have contributed to the later development of karate.
According to the "Ōshima Records" (大島筆記, 1762) by Yoshihiro Tobe, on April 26, 1762, an Okinawan tribute ship carrying Ryukyuan envoys (on its way to to Satsuma, Japan) was blown off course during a nasty typhoon and drifted to Oshima beach on Shikoku Island.
This detailed account included descriptions of Kūsankū and kumiai-jutsu, which translates to "the art of grappling," and demonstrated the martial art of kumiai-jutsu. While the "Ōshima Records" do not mention any direct relationship between kumiai-jutsu and karate or indicate that Kōshōkun taught this martial art to the people of Ryukyu, the book is often referenced in discussions about karate because it is one of the few sources that mention bare-knuckle martial arts during the Ryukyu Kingdom period. One of his notable students was Sakugawa Kanga.
Sakugawa Kanga
(佐久川 寛賀, Sakugawa Kanga, 1786 - 1867), also known as Tode Sakugawa, was a martial arts master from Ryūkyū and a significant contributor to the development of Te, the precursor to modern Karate.
Known as the "father of Okinawan karate," Sakugawa traveled to China to study martial arts. During this time, he is credited with combining the Chinese art of ch’uan fa and the Okinawan art of tode (meaning "Chinese hand" or "empty hand"), which led to the creation of Okinawa-te ("Okinawa hand"). This became the foundation for Shuri-te. He also passed down Kusanku, which is recognized as one of Okinawa’s oldest katas. Additionally, he developed a bo kata called Sakugawa no Kon. One of his prized students is Matsumura Sōkon.
Matsumura Sōkon
(松村 宗棍, Matsumura Sōkon, 1808-1899) was one of the original karate masters of Okinawa. He began his training at an early age under the guidance of Sakugawa, and is credited by multiple sources with making a significant contribution to the development of Okinawan karate, specifically through the introduction of katas. Matsumura was bestowed the title "bushi," which means "warrior," by the Okinawan king in recognition of his skills and achievements in martial arts. The Shuri-te system of katas still practiced today in the Kobayashi Shorin-Ryu system includes Naihanchi I-III, Passai Dai, Chinto, and Gojushiho.
His contributions to martial arts have given rise to several contemporary karate styles, including Shōrin-ryū. In fact, all modern karate styles that evolved from the Shuri-te lineage can ultimately be traced back to the teachings of Bushi Matsumura. A notable student of his is Itosu Ankō.
Itosu Ankō
(糸洲 安恒, Okinawan: Ichiji Ankō, Japanese: Itosu Ankō, 1831 – 11 March 1915) He is considered by many the father of modern karate. In October 1908, Itosu wrote a letter, "Ten Precepts (Tode Jukun) of Karate," to draw the attention of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of War in Japan. This letter was influential in the spread of karate. He is also credited for Kusanku Sho and Passai Sho. Some of the most important modern day instructors that trained directly under him include Chibana Chōshin.
Chibana Chōshin
Chibana Chōshin (知花 朝信, June 5, 1885-February 26, 1969) was an Okinawan martial artist renowned for developing Shorin-ryū karate. His techniques were largely based on what he learned from Itosu Ankō. Chibana is recognized as the last of the pre-World War karate masters, often referred to as the "Last Warrior of Shuri." In 1929, he became the first to establish a Japanese ryu name for an Okinawan karate style, referring to Itosu's karate as "Shorin-Ryu" (小林流), which translates to "the small forest school."
He was one of the founding committee members of karate masters in 1936, who agreed that karate should be translated as "empty hand." In addition, he was awarded the "Fourth Order of Merit" by the Emperor of Japan in 1969 for his lifelong contributions to martial arts. Chibana Sensei's most influential modern-day student is Nakazato Shūgorō, to whom Chibana Sensei presented his personal black belt. This was a great honor and tribute to Nakazato Sensei's devotion and skills in martial arts.
Nakazato Shūgorō
(仲里 周五郎, Nakazato Shūgorō, August 14, 1920 – August 24, 2016)
Nakazato Sensei was one of the most influential living karate Grand Masters in Okinawa. He elevated karate sparring into what many considered a sophisticated fighting art.
In 1969, after Chibana Sensei's passing, Nakazato Sensei became the Vice President of the Okinawa Shorin-Ryū Karate-do Association. However, in November 1975, he resigned from this association and went on to establish the Okinawa Karate-do Shorin-Ryū Shorinkan Association. In 1980, he achieved the rank of 10th Dan.
Nakazato Hanshi Jū Dan traveled several times a year to promote the traditional Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Karate system.
He performed numerous demonstrations both in Japan and internationally and trained many well-known students in the USA. In recognition of his contributions, he was designated as an "intangible cultural asset holder" by Okinawa Prefecture in 2000. Furthermore, on November 4, 2007, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, 5th Class with Gold and Silver Rays by the Japanese Prime Minster.
Nakazato Minoru
( 仲里 稔, Nakazato Minoru, February 19, 1952 )
Minoru Nakazato Hanshi Jū Dan, a 10th Dan Black Belt, serves as the chairman of the Okinawa Karate-Do Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Association. He is also an instructor with the International Okinawa Kobudo Federation. Nakazato Minoru is the son of our founder, Hanshi Jū Dan Shugoro Nakazato, who is a living legend in the field of martial arts.