Original Martial Arts
Kobayashi shorin ryu karate do, the young pine forest’s karate, is one of the most authentic systems of karate. Its the natural offspring of Suri-te. In its transfer to mainland Japan in the early 1920's, we can say it was the foundation for the development of the most modern Japanese systems, such as Shotokan and Wado Ryu. Shorin ryu and Goju ryu are considered to be the two most popular karate systems of Okinawa. They consist what we call today Okinawa’s karate. They are based on Chinese systems in combination with the fighting techniques of the inhabitants of the Ryu Kyu islands. The fighting technique which was developed from the masters of shorin ryu includes warm up exersises, basic techniques (kihon waza), kata, prearranged fighting drills (gyakusoku kumite) and free sparring (jiyu kumite). The characteristic of Shorin ryu karate is the swift, fast techniques based on the strategy of evasion and in the same time attacking to sensitive spots of the body with multiple hits. The system is ideal for people who seek spiritual and physical fulfillment through an old fighting art which simultaneously is a perfect form of self-defense. Kobayashi shorin ryu karate do genealogy begun the 19th century with master "Bushi" Matsumura (1805-1893), master "Anko" Itosu (1832-1925), and became a individual karate style from master Chosin Chibana (1885-1969). |
The students of Suibukan are taught the system of Matayoshi ryu kobudo. The head instructor is the worldwide known master of the traditional weapons of Okinawa, Tadashi Yamashita. Any reference to the Okinawan Martial Arts would be incomplete, unless it included information on the development of Okinawa’s Kobudo- the art of traditional weapons. After all, the use of these weapons-that is, the use of farming implements such as the bo, tomfa, sai, nunchaku, kama, eku and other objects of every day use as means of facing armed opponents- and the formation of this use into a martial art was only made possible because of the Okinawans’ own competence in the weaponless fighting art of Karate. Therefore, the connection between the two arts, Karate and Kobudo, and the simultaneous practicing in both is not accidental, as this is believed to be the only way for the karateka to achieve fulfillment and fighting maturation. Typical of the above is the fact that some of the greatest Karate instructors, such as Grand Master Nakazato Shugoro, 10 dan in Kobayashi Shorin Ryu, have deep insight in Kobudo, while Master Matayoshi Shimpo, 10 dan, founder of Matayoshi Kobudo, was for many years disciple under Chotoku Chyan, instructor of Shorin Ryu. Thus, Okinawan Kobudo and Okinawan Karate are taught today inseparable from one another. It is after all common belief among Okinawan karatekas that the practice in martial arts is incomplete without Kobubo. Kobudo also constitutes part of the students’ physical education in all levels of education-primary, secondary and higher. It is treated as a local art of great cultural value, while its instructors are respectable figures and of high social regard. The students of Suibukan are taught Karate and Kobudo. Although, such an art seems to be out of date it is still necessary for a karateka. A great fighter must have the ability to use objects as natural extensions of his body. Kobudo is also a cultural heritage deriving from generations of people with high fighting spirit and will for life. |
Suikendo is master Tadashi Yamashita's personally developed style. The word Suikendo comes from the combination of the words “sui” which means water, “ken” which means fist and “do” which means way. “The way of the fist that flows like water” is the philosophy and the concept of this style. As the body moves hands and feet practice multiple striking and breaking techniques imitating the sense of water falling from high above. The efficiency of this technique is based on the combination of hands and feet with the gravity centre with continuous ki, while the body remains loose. The essence of the techniques used in Suikendo are nothing more than the extract of a sophisticated study of the Shorin Ryu's kata. Suikendo combines elements of combat, dance and breath. It can develop the physical ability and flexibility and gives a combat alert spirit. We, the students of Hanshi Yamashita, usually refer to Suikendo as the jazz of the martial arts. |
