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| ancestor schools = [[Shuri-te]],
| ancestor schools = [[Shuri-te]],
| descendant schools= Matsumura Seito, [[Shōrin-ryū (Shōbayashi)|Shōbayashi]], Zentokukai
| descendant schools= Matsumura Seito, [[Shōrin-ryū (Shōbayashi)|Shōbayashi]], Zentokukai
| notable pract = [[Chosin Chibana]], [[Katsuya Miyahira]], [[Shugoro Nakazato]]
| notable pract = [[Chosin Chibana]], [[Katsuya Miyahira]], [[Shugoro Nakazato]], Nakama Chozo, Yuchoku Higa
| website =
| website =
}}
}}

Revision as of 19:10, 16 February 2010

Shōrin-ryū
Date founded1933
Country of origin Ryūkyū Kingdom
FounderChoshin Chibana
Arts taughtKarate
Ancestor schoolsShuri-te,
Descendant schoolsMatsumura Seito, Shōbayashi, Zentokukai
PractitionersChosin Chibana, Katsuya Miyahira, Shugoro Nakazato, Nakama Chozo, Yuchoku Higa

Shōrin-ryū (小林流) is one of the major modern Okinawan martial arts. If was founded by Choshin Chibana in 1933, Shōrin-ryū combines elements of the traditional Okinawan fighting styles of Shuri-te.

History

Chosin Chibana was a top student of the great master of shuri-te, Anko Itosu. Anko Itosu was the top student of 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 Shuri-te, he did not invent all the components of the style. 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, and passed it on. In 1933, Chosin Chibana chose to call his style Shorin-ryu in honor of the Chinese Shaolin roots, and to differentiate it from others styles that were being modified from the original teachings of Anko Itosu. Prior to this time, there were no names for styles in okinawa (though common in Japan for japanese martial arts).

(　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.

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.

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


Schools

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.

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[2]:

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.

References

  1. ^ "
  2. ^ Karate belts
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