Shōrin-ryū

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Shōrin-ryū
Sokon Matsumura.jpg
Shōrin-ryū founder Matsumura Sōkon.
Date founded 1800s
Country of origin  Ryūkyū Kingdom
Founder Matsumura Sōkon
Arts taught Karate
Ancestor schools Shuri-te, Tomari-te, Naha-te
Descendant schools Kobayashi, Matsubayashi, Matsumura Seito, Shōbayashi, Seibukan, Zentokukai
Practitioners Ankō Itosu, Anko Asato, Motobu Chōki, Chosin Chibana, Shōshin Nagamine,

Shōrin-ryū (小林流, 松林流, or 少林流 pronounced, Shoren- ruu?) is one of the major modern Okinawan martial arts. Said to have been founded by Matsumura Sōkon during the 1800s, Shōrin-ryū combines elements of the traditional Okinawan fighting styles of Shuri-te and Tomari-te. Shōrin-ryū is widely considered to be one of the two major modern styles of Okinawan karate, along with Gōjū-ryū, which is rooted in the third traditional Okinawan style, Naha-te.

Contents

[edit] History

Matsumura Sōkon was a renowned warrior of his time; bodyguard to three kings of Okinawa, he has been called the Miyamoto Musashi of Okinawa and was dubbed bushi, or warrior, by his king. However, while he is often referred to as the "founder" of Shōrin-ryū, he did not invent all the components of the style, and perhaps didn't refer to it as Shōrin-ryū himself. It is quite possible that he synthesized his knowledge of Okinawan arts with Chinese fighting styles that he learned on his travels and taught it as a coherent system to some eager students, who subsequently refined it, labeled it, and passed it on. Shorin (　少林 English:　small woods) is the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese ShaolinThe primary dialect of Okinawa, although now an almost dead language due to the taking over of Okinawa by Japan.; and ryu means "Association". Therefore, Shōrin-ryū ("small forest") reflects the Chinese influences intrinsic to the art. Though it reflects the Chinese influence, it was also meant to signify that it was a distinct and different martial art from the Shorin Chuanfa. Shorin karate developed and mastered linear movements and striking (i.e. oi tsuki) making it much more effective and powerful than the Shaolin of the time. This was evidenced by the domination over visiting Chuan fa masters, tori te masters, and everyone else in one on one challenges by Matsumura and his Karateka cotemporaries.

Along with being a style on its own, Shōrin-ryū is also perhaps the most influential single ancestor of modern Japanese karate. One of Matsumura's best-known students, Anko (or "Ankoh") Itosu became a great practitioner and teacher of Okinawan karate and developed the five Pinan kata, which are now taught not only in Shōrin-ryū, but also in a wide variety of Okinawan, Japanese and derived martial arts. It is also believed by some that the first three Pinan kata were actually developed by Matsumura and the last two by Itosu. In addition, Itosu and another student of Matsumura's named Anko Azato were among the primary influences on a fellow Okinawan named Gichin Funakoshi. Funakoshi introduced his Okinawan martial arts to mainland Japan in 1922, and in subsequent decades was instrumental in developing what he termed simply karate or karate-dō into a popular Japanese martial art. The style Funakoshi taught on mainland Japan is now called Shotokan karate.

[edit] Training

Shōrin-ryū is generally characterized by natural breathing, natural (narrow, high) stances, and direct, rather than circular movements (with the exception of Shōrin-ryū Kyudōkan, which makes extensive use of circular movements). Shōrin-ryū practitioners will say that correct motion matters, being able to move quickly to evade violence by having fluid movements and flexible positions is quite important, and that a solid structure is very important for powerful moves, but stances that are too deep, will most likely make body movement very difficult.

[edit] About the name of Shōrin-ryū

"... now the Japanese call it 'kobayashi style' but that is incorrect - but that is all right because only people who do not know Okinawan karate will call it by that name. Since they do not know you must gently remind them or the Okinawan people will laugh at their ignorance. After all, it is funny, many foreign people call it kobayashi Shōrin-ryū - that is just like saying shorin Shōrin-ryū. It doesn't make much sense ..." [1] Miyahira Katsuya, hanshi

The following can all be pronounced Shorin ryu; however, the Kanji can also be pronounced as follows: Kobayashi (Old Forest School) Shobayashi (Small Forest School, this is also the same Kanji for the Shaoulin or Siu Lum Temple) Matsubayashi (Pine Forest School). Matsumura Seito is of the same line as Shobayashi (using the same Kanji for Shorin as Shobayashi, however prefacing with Matsumura and the Kanji for orthodox.)

[edit] Schools

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There are many dojo who use the term "Shōrin-ryū". Some of the best known schools of Shōrin-ryū were started by Matsumura's students, keeping with Okinawa's tradition of successorship. Each of Matsumura's Deshis (students) changed the name of their system when they took over, so the branches began: Sukunaihayashi (Shōrin-ryū Seibukan), Ryūkyū Hon Kenpo, Kodokai Shōrin-ryū, Matsumura Seito (orthodox) Shōrin-ryū, Seidokan, Kobayashi Shōrin-ryū (Shōrin-ryū Shidōkan, Shorinkan, Shōrin-ryū Kyudōkan), Matsubayashi-ryū, Okinawan Kenpo, and Shobayashi, but there are many others, most with long and distinguished histories that trace back to Matsumura and his students. For example, Shinjinbukai, founded by Yoshimitsu Onaga in 1988.[2]

[edit] Hohan Sōken (1889-1982)

Hohan Sōken was the founder of the Matsumura Seito (orthodox) style of Shorin-ryū. Sōken began training in karate and kobujutsu at age thirteen under his uncle, Nabe Matsumura. Nabe was the grandson of Bushi Matsumura of Shuri. After ten years of basic training under Nabe Matsumura, he began learning the techniques of the white crane known as hakutsuru. According to Sōken, the techniques of karate and kobujutsu he learned from Nabe Matsumura were the same ones practiced by his samurai ancestors hundreds of years ago. Sōken also received kobujutsu training from an old man from Nishihara Village by the name of Ushi Komesu. Komesu practiced Shuri-te and taught Sōken the Tsuken (Chikin) Bo Kata.

In 1924 Sōken moved to Argentina where he lived for twenty one years before returning to Okinawa. After returning to Okinawa he slowly began to accept a few students. Sōken retired from teaching in 1978, however for many years was the oldest living karate master still actively teaching.[3]

[edit] Kata

There are different sets of kata, ranging from kihon (exercise kata) to rōhai (vision of the crane kata). This is a list of the main kata series studied in Shōrin-ryū karate. Not all kata are practiced by all schools. In some styles of Shōrin-ryū Kihon Kata or Kihongata is taught before Fukyugata or it takes the place of Fukyugata.

  • Kihon series (basic form)
  • Fukyugata series (fundamental/universal class form, also called Fukyu)
  • Taikyoku series (full hearted way kata)
  • Naihanchi series (iron horse form)
  • Pinan series (peace and meditation form), (riceline form)
  • Channan series (valley kata, these kata are thought to have evolved into the Pinan kata)
  • Wankan (King's Crown" or "Emperor's Crown", also called Okan)
  • Passai series (breakthrough form)
  • Kūsankū series (look to the sky form)
  • Ananku (southern light kata or Swallow on the beach form)
  • Chintō (east-fighting kata)
  • Chintē (east village kata)
  • Gojūshiho (54 move kata, also called Useishin)
  • Rōhai (crane on rock form)

[edit] Ranks

In 1924, Gichin Funakoshi adopted the Dan system from judo founder Kanō Jigorō using a rank scheme with a limited set of belt colors. Other Okinawan teachers also adopted this practice.

In a Kyū/Dan system, the beginner grade is a higher-numbered kyū (e.g., 7th Kyū) and progress is toward a lower-numbered Kyū. The Dan progression continues from 1st Dan (Shodan, or 'beginning dan') to the higher dan grades. Kyū-grade karateka are referred to as "color belt" or mudansha ("ones without dan"); Dan-grade karateka are referred to as yudansha (holders of dan rank). Yudansha typically wear a black belt.

Requirements of rank differ among styles, organizations, and schools. Kyū ranks stress stance, balance, and coordination. Speed and power are added at higher grades. Minimum age and time in rank are factors affecting promotion. Testing consists of demonstration of technique before a panel of examiners. Black belt testing is commonly done in a manner known as shinsa, which includes a written examination as well as demonstration of kihon, kumite, kata, and bunkai (applications of technique).

In Shōrin-ryū, a common rank (belt) progression is as noted bellow[4]:

In America the mudansha are:

  • White Belt (7th Kyū)
  • Yellow Belt (6th Kyū)
  • Orange Belt (5th Kyū)
  • Blue Belt (4th Kyū)
  • Green Belt (3rd Kyū)
  • Purple Belt (2nd Kyū)
  • Brown Belt (1st Kyū)

In America the yudansha are:

  • Black Belt (from the 1st to the 4th Dan, some styles to 9th Dan)
  • Red/Black Belt (5th and 6th Dan, some styles don't use)
  • Red/White Belt (7th and 8th Dan, some styles don't use)
  • Red Belt (9th and 10th Dan, some styles only 10th)

Obs.: In order to distinguish among the six Dan of Black Belts, some use small marks at the belt, usually one mark means a 1st Dan Karateka, two marks a 2nd Dan and so on.

[edit] List of representatives

Okinawa Shōrin-ryū Karate-do lineage
Shidōkan Shōrinkan Kyudōkan Matsubayashi Seibukan Shōbayashi
Founder Shuri-te Matsumura Sōkon (1809-1899)
Creator of kata: Naihanchi, Passai (Dai), Chintō, Kushanku (Dai), Gojūshiho
2nd Itosu Anko (1831-1915)
Creator of kata: Pinan (1-5) and constructor of kata: Passai (Sho), Kushanku (Sho).
He enlarged Naihanchi into three
3rd Okinawa
Shōrin-ryū		 Choshin Chibana (1885-1969)
10th dan
Successor of Itosu Anko		 Chotoku Kyan (1870-1945)
4th Katsuya Miyahira (1918-)
10th dan
Successor of
Choshin Chibana		 Shugoro Nakazato (1920-)
10th dan
Creator of Gorin for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Ga.		 Yuchoku Higa (1910–1994)
10th dan		 Shoshin Nagamine (1907-1997)
10th dan		 Zenryo Shimabukuro (1908-1969)
10th dan		 Eizo Shimabukuro (1925-)
10th dan
5th - - Minoru Higa (1941-)
9th dan		 Takayoshi Nagamine
10th dan		 Zenpo Shimabukuro (1943-)
10th dan		 -

[edit] References

  1. ^ "
  2. ^ www.shinjinbukan.com
  3. ^ Okinawa Island of Karate, Alexander, George W., pg. 77-78, 1990.
  4. ^ Karate belts

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Branches of Shōrin-ryū Karate
v • d • e
Karate
Origin
Styles
Full contact styles
Techniques
Blocks · Bunkai · Kata · Kicks · Kumite · Punches · Stances · Strikes
Comparison of styles
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