Shōrin ryū

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, who 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. In 1933, Chosin Chibana chose to call his style Shorin-ryu in honor of the Samurai roots, and to differentiate it from other 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). Several branches of traditional Shorin-Ryu exist today in both Okinawa and the Western World. While there is a more concentrated population of practitioners in its birthplace of Okinawa, Shorin-Ryu Karate has had many high level black belts in the Western World as well including: Joe Hess (Black Belt), Frank Grant (10th Dan of Matsubayashi-Ryu Shorin-Ryu),James Smithey (9th Dan), Soke Dave Shelton (10th Dan of Shorin Ryu Matsumura SokenDo),Kyoshi Noel Smith has been training exclusivley in Okinawan Shorin-ryu since early 1964, he is an 8th Dan of Shorin-ryu Shorinkan under the late Shuguro Nakazato along with Kyoshi Eddie Bethea.

Training

Shōrin-ryū is generally characterized by natural breathing, natural (narrow, high) stances, and circular, rather than direct 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. Another of the features in this system is how the student is taught to punch. Generally, there is neither a horizontal or vertical punch in Shorin Ryu. Punches are slightly canted to the inside, with the largest knuckle of the fore finger (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:^p. 30

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

Branches

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. In 1960, this practice was adopted in Okinawa.

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, one possible rank (belt) progression is listed below: There are many others. For instance, the largest organization in North America does not use yellow, orange, blue, or purple belts.: Nor are the colors or orders consistent from school to school within an organization.

In the USA, the mudansha generally are:

In the USA some of the styles' yudansha follow this system:

Master Level

Note: The Beikoku Shidokan Association follows the Okinawan yudansha belt system:

Black Belt for 1st through 6th Dan

Red and White Checkered/paneled Belt for 7th and 8th Dan

Red Belt for 9th and 10th Dan.