Shōrin-ryū


Shōrin-ryū 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.
At that time not all karate schools had a name. 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.
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.

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.

Training

Shōrin-ryū is generally characterized by natural breathing, natural 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 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
These are Series not truly thought of as 'kata'
  • Fukyu Gata
  • *ichi
  • *ni
  • *san
  • Kihon
  • *shodan
  • *nidan
  • *sandan
  • *yondan
  • *godan

Shōrin-ryū Core Kata
  • Naihanchi
  • *shodan
  • *nidan
  • *sandan
  • Pinan
  • *shodan
  • *nidan
  • *sandan
  • *yondan
  • *godan
  • Passai
  • *sho
  • *dai
  • Gojushiho
  • Dai Ni Gojushiho
  • Chinto
  • Kusanku
  • *sho
  • *dai
  • Jion
The following Kata are not taught in all Shōrin-ryū systems or dojo
  • Seisan
  • Ananku
  • Wankan
  • Rohai
  • Wanshu
  • Gorin
  • Koryu Passai
  • Teesho
  • Ryuko
The study of weapons generally only starts at dan-level, and weapon kata are not standardised across the style.p. 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. The specific order of colors varies from organization to organization.
In a Kyū/Dan system, the beginner grade is a higher-numbered kyū and progress is toward a lower-numbered Kyū. The Dan progression continues from 1st Dan to the higher dan grades. Kyū-grade karateka are referred to as "color belt" or mudansha ; Dan-grade karateka are referred to as yudansha. 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.

Notable practitioners

Chosin Chibana