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Shōrin-ryū

Shōrin-ryū (少林流) is one of the major modern Okinawan martial arts and is one of the two styles of karate as mentioned in the 'Ten Precepts' of Ankō Itosu. Shorin-ryu diverged into many styles and it became an umbrella term to encompass all of the schools derived from it.

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Shōrin-ryū
少林流
Chōshin Chibana, founder of Kobayashi-ryū branch
Chōshin Chibana, founder of Kobayashi-ryū branch
Date founded1929
Country of originRyūkyū Kingdom
FounderChōshin Chibana
Arts taughtKarate
Ancestor artsOkinawan martial arts (Shuri-te, Tomari-te)
Descendant artsShotokan, Isshin-Ryu, American Kenpo
Descendant schools
Practitioners(see notable practitioners)
Shōrin-ryū source ↗

Shōrin-ryū (少林流)123456 is one of the major modern Okinawan martial arts and is one of the two styles of karate as mentioned in the 'Ten Precepts' of Ankō Itosu.7 Shorin-ryu diverged into many styles and it became an umbrella term to encompass all of the schools derived from it.8

At that time not all karate schools had a name.9 However it is quite common to refer to Choshin Chibana’s school as Shōrin-ryū, following the name he adopted in 1933; which is also known as Kobayashi-ryū to make a distinction from other 'Shōrin-ryū' schools.1011

The characters 少林, meaning "sparse" or "scanty" and "forest" respectively and pronounced "shōrin" in Japanese, are 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.123456

History

Chōshin Chibana was a top student of the great master of Shuri-te, Ankō Itosu. Ankō Itosu was the top student of Matsumura Sōkon, who was a renowned warrior in 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 Sōkon is often referred to as the "founder" of Shuri-te, he did not invent all of its components. Chōshin Chibana never practiced kobudo. In 1933, Chōshin Chibana chose to name his style Shōrin-ryū in honor of its samurai roots and to differentiate it from other styles that were being modified from the original teachings of Ankō Itosu. Generally, Okinawan karate schools did not have individual names for styles like schools in Japan. Several branches of traditional Shōrin-ryū exist today in both Okinawa and the western world. While there is a more concentrated population of practitioners in its birthplace of Okinawa, Shōrin-ryū Karate has had many high dan grades outside Okinawa.

Socio-Political Origins

The development of Shuri-te, the direct precursor to Shōrin-ryū, was rooted exclusively in the Okinawan noble warrior class (shizoku), specifically the palace guards, diplomats, and court officials of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Contrary to the popular cultural myth that Okinawan martial arts were invented by oppressed peasants using agricultural tools against invading samurai, historical evidence shows that these arts were highly guarded secrets practiced by elite members of the royal court. This upper class had the leisure time, wealth, and education necessary to study complex martial arts, and they frequently traveled abroad on diplomatic missions, integrating Chinese martial arts into their indigenous fighting systems.12

The specific weapon arts often associated with Okinawa, known as Ryukyu Kobudo, also originated within this aristocratic class rather than among the peasantry. Law enforcement officials (pechin) and royal bodyguards utilized specialized tools like the sai (a truncheon carried by palace police) and the bo (staff) as part of their official duties to maintain peace within the kingdom. The narrative of the weaponless peasant was largely popularized in the 20th century during karate's introduction to mainland Japan to appeal to a broader public and foster a romanticized martial spirit, obscuring the art's true origins as a sophisticated system of the Ryukyuan gentry. 13

Training

Shōrin-ryū is generally characterized by natural breathing, natural (narrow, high) stances, and circular, rather than direct movements. Shōrin-ryū practitioners assert that correct motion, moving quickly to evade violence with fluid movements and flexible positions are important, and that a solid structure is vital for powerful blocks and strikes. Stances that are too deep generally make body movement difficult. Another feature in this system is how the student is taught to punch. Generally, there is neither a horizontal nor vertical punch in Shōrin-ryū. Punches are slightly canted to the inside, with the largest knuckle of the forefinger (third from the tip) in vertical alignment with the second knuckle of the pinky finger. It is believed that this position is key in lining up the bones of the arm and creates a faster, more stable and powerful strike.

Kata

Some of the key kata in Shōrin-ryū are:14p. 30

These are Series not truly thought of as 'kata'

  • Fukyugata (Popular)
    • ichi
    • ni
    • san (in some schools)
  • Kihon (Basics)
    • shodan
    • nidan
    • sandan
    • yondan
    • godan


Shōrin-ryū Core Kata

The following Kata are not taught in all Shōrin-ryū systems or dojo

The study of weapons generally only starts at dan-level, and weapon kata are not standardised across the style.14p. 45.

Branches

Ranks

In 1924, Gichin Funakoshi, a contemporary of Chibana and also a disciple of Ankō Itosu, adopted the Dan system from judo founder Kanō Jigorō using a rank scheme with a limited set of belt colors to promote Karate-Do among the Japanese. In 1960, this practice was also adopted in Okinawa.18 The specific order of colors varies from organization to organization.

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 gradually stress proper stances, balance, motion and coordination. Speed, timing, focus and power are examined 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).

Notable practitioners

Notes

Notes

  1. name changed for Itosu no Passai in Shidokan and Shinshukan.
  2. name changed for Matsumura no Passai in Shidokan and Shinshukan.
References

References

  1. Bishop, Mark (15 October 1999). Okinawan Karate: Teachers, Styles and Secret Techniques. ISBN 0-8048-3205-6.
  2. "Beikoku Shidokan Association, Iha Dojo". Ihadojo.com. Archived from the original on 2012-11-26. Retrieved 2012-11-12.
  3. "History of Okinawan Karate". Okinawa Prefectural Government. 2003. Archived from the original on 15 April 2009.
  4. "Kata of Shuri-te Karate". Okinawa Prefectural Government. 2003. Archived from the original on 26 March 2009.
  5. "Okinawan Shorin-ryu Shorinkan Karate and Kobudo Dojo". Shorinryushorinkan.com. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved 2012-11-12.
  6. Mateusz Staniszew. "World Oshukai Okinawa Shōrin-ryū Karate Do Kobudo Federation". Oshukai.com. Retrieved 2012-11-12.
  7. Abernethy, Ian (2010-04-13). "The 10 Precepts of Anko Itosu". Retrieved 2026-01-07.
  8. Higaonna, Morio (1985). Traditional Karatedo Vol. 1 Fundamental Techniques. p. 19. ISBN 0-87040-595-0.
  9. Higaonna, Morio (1985). Traditional Karatedo Vol. 1 Fundamental Techniques. p. 28. ISBN 0-87040-595-0.
  10. "Karate styles – Kobayashi-ryū". Retrieved 2026-01-07.
  11. Enkamp, Jesse. "Chibana Choshin – Butoku". Retrieved 2026-01-07.
  12. "History of Karate". Shorin Ryu Karate Academy.
  13. "Karate Myth Busting: The Secret Truth About Peasants and Karate". Karate by Jesse.
  14. Cummins, William (1984). Shōrin-ryū: Okinawan karate question and answer book (1st ed.). New York: Person-to-Person Pub. ISBN 9780804814263.
  15. Reihokan Karate
  16. North American Shorin-ryu Shorinkan
  17. World Oshukai Dento Okinawa Shōrin-ryū Karate Do Kobudo Federation
  18. "Shorin History". Umablackbelt.com. Archived from the original on 2012-11-25. Retrieved 2012-11-12.