Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Shōrin-ryū
Ancestor Shuri-te,
schools
Shōrin-ryū (小林流?) is one of the major modern Okinawan martial arts. It was founded by Choshin Chibana in
1933. Shōrin-ryū combines elements of the traditional Okinawan fighting styles of Shuri-te [7][8][9][10][11][12].
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 dubbedbushi, 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 martial arts 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).
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. Stances that are too deep will most likely make body movement very difficult.
[edit]Branches
shorinkan
Oshukai
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.
Jion
T'sho
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).