Date founded 1975 | Country of origin Okinawa, Japan Ancestor schools Kobayashi Shorin-ryū | |
Shorin-ryu Shorinkan (小林流小林館, Shōrin-ryū Shōrinkan) is a branch of the Kobayashi Shorin-ryū style of Okinawan Karate, developed by Shūgorō Nakazato, Hanshi 10th Dan. Nakazato was a student of Choshin Chibana. After Chibana's death in 1969, Nakazato assumed the title of Vice President of the Okinawa Shorin-Ryū Karate-do Association. In November 1975, Nakazato resigned from this association and formed the Okinawa Karate-do Shorin-Ryū Shorinkan Association.
In the United States the senior Kyoshis are Sensei Noel Smith (8th dan) who has been training under Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato since the early 60's and Sensei Eddie Bethea. In the early years 7 of Sensei Shugoro Nakazato black belts returned to the USA to spread Okinawan Shorin-ryu to the states, they are referred to as the Original 7, their lineage chart.