Okinawan Shuri -Te Shorin Kai Karate-do 沖 縄 首 里 少 林 海 空 手 道 KARATE

Karate Dō ( 空空空 手手手 道道道 ) “way of the empty hand” Shōrin Kai ( 少少少 林林林 海海海 ) “ocean of pines” or symbolically “many students of” Shōrin-ryū ( 少少少 林林林 流流流 ) “pine forest school” or “the little forest style” Shōbū-ryū ( 初初初 武武武 流流流 ) “first martial discipline” or “the first warrior style ”

(Updated August 20, 2016) -- Prepared by Sensei Thomas Lemon Jr, - Sandan, 3 rd dan Shobu-ryu Karate-do Arkansas

Tōmasu SHōBū-RYū Karate-do

* Shōbū-ryū ( 初初初 武武武 流流流 ) “first warrior style” - a branch of Okinawan Shorin-ryū Karate with some Judo, Jujitsu, and Shotokan influences popularized in South America and refined in the western United States. A style that strives to stay true to its historical Shuri-te roots, while taught in the Shitei-ai tradition.

–Tom Jr. Sensei – Received his shodan in 1985 and subsequent dans from the Central Valley Shobu -Ryu School that provided classes at the Lemoore Naval Air Station, CA under sensei Enrique "Hank" Ybarra, - 6th dan - with direct Shorin-Ryu and Shuri -te lineage through Master Hohan Soken from his time in Argentina. Hohan was the nephew of Nabe Matsumara, grandson of the great master Sokon “Bushi” Matsumara. Thomas Sensei’s advancements were recorded in the late 80’s early 90’s while in good standing with the Armed Forces Karate Assoc. and the OS TSK headquartered out of Sasebo Japan.

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Okinawan Karate ( 空空空 手手手 ) the History (a summary) – In 1429, the three kingdoms on Okinawa were unified to form the Kingdom of Ryūkyū. When King Shō Shin came into power in 1477, he banned the practice of martial arts. “ Te ” (the indigenous fighting style ( 手 ), literally "hand"; pronounced tii in Okinawan) and Ryukyu “ kobudō ” (weaponry 古 武 道 ) continued to be taught in secret. The ban was continued by invading samurai from the Satsuma Domain of Japan in 1609. These bans contributed to the development of Te and Kobudō. The Okinawans combined Chinese arts with the local fighting arts to form Tōde ( 唐 手 Tuudii , “Tang hand” or “China hand”), sometimes called Okinawa-te ( 沖 縄 手 ).

By the early 18th century, the different types of Te (short for Tōde ) developed primarily in three towns – the old capital Shuri, as well as the cities of Naha and Tomari. The art of “ te” varied between towns, so to distinguish them, the commonly used Te was prefaced with its area of origin giving us Shuri-te ( 首 里 手 ), Naha-te and Tomari-te, respectively. The arts were then further divided by the various new masters from those styles into a multitude of schools, of which Shōrin-ryū ( 少 林 流 ) was one of the earliest.

All styles of the Shuri-te lineage can be traced back to the teachings of Bushi Matsumura. Matsumura Sōkon was a legendary master and a renowned warrior of his time. Sōkon was a bodyguard to the kings of Okinawa and given the official title of “Bushi” (literally “warrior”) in recognition of his skill. Anko Itosu (also Itosu Ankō) was a top student of the great master Bushi Matsumura and was one of the early pivotal teachers (author of Ten Precepts of Karate (Tōde Jukun ; 1908 ), he introduced karate into the Okinawan school system, and is considered the "grandfather of modern karate”). A top student of the Master Itosu by the name of Chosin Chibana (known as “the last warrior of Shuri”) decided to call the Shuri-te he had learned “ Shōrin-ryū ” to differentiate it from other styles that were being modified from the original teachings of Itosu and to give it a Japanese “ryu” name.

In 1922 the Japanese Ministry of Education invited Gichin Funakoshi (a student of Itosu Shuri-te and founder of Shotokan karate) to Tokyo to give a karate demonstration. By 1924 Keio University established the first karate club in mainland Japan and by 1932 it was taught in most major Japanese universities. For this Gichin is credited as “father of modern karate”. In 1936 the masters of the various styles of karate conferred and for mostly political reasons agreed they needed a new general name for their art. They decided to change (the “spelling” and thus meaning) from ( 唐 手 -- Tōde "Chinese hand") to ( 空 手 -- "empty hand") – both of which interestingly are “ karate ” in Japanese. A karate practitioner is called a “karateka” ( 空 手 家 ).

After World War II, Okinawa was an important United States military site and karate became popular among servicemen stationed there. They in turn imported the art to the states. Several branches of traditional karate now exist in both Okinawa and the Western World. Shōrin-ryū and Shōbu-ryū are predominantly striking arts using punches, kicks, knees, elbow strikes and open hand techniques such as knife-hands, spear- hands, and palm-heel strikes. Modern karate includes grappling, throws, joint locks, and vital point strikes.

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Belt ranks – uses the Kyū/Dan system that starts with high numbered "kyū" and progresses toward lower numbered "kyū " which then picks up with 1st – “dan” ( 初 段 者 shodansha ) – "kyū "-grade karateka are assigned "color belts" while "dan "-grade wear a black and are yūdansha ( 有 段 者 ), "ones with dan ". The first five "dan " are advanced through examination with age and time in rank important factors. The subsequent dans (6 and up) are honorary, given for special merits and/or time/age reached.

"Essentially, kyū is number of steps “ till ” reaching mastery whereas the dan is steps “into ” mastery"

( 下 段 ) - White belts Ge-kyū Low "Ge-" or Non- "Mu-" KYU (highest Kyū = "lowest class") ( 初 級 ) - Yellow belts Sho-kyū Beginning ranks ( "first class ") ( 中 級 ) - Green belts Chū-kyū Middle ranks ( "middle class ") ( 上 級 ) - Brown belts Jō-kyū Highest ranks (lowest number Kyū – "upper class ")

Kyū ranks stress stance, balance, and coordination with speed and power added at higher grades. Testing consists of demonstration of techniques and could include everything learned to that point (to include kata, self-defense routines, tameshiwari "breaking", examples of bunkai "application" and kumite "sparring". Being tested for rank is a respectful request, not a guarantee of promotion.

"Color" Belt Ranks – White belt (beginner) GE KYU “low rank” or Mu Kyu “No rank” White belt – one stripe White belt – two stripe* (10 th rank) JU KYU Yellow belt (9 th rank) KU KYU – Sho Kyu Yellow belt – one stripe (8 th rank) HACHI KYU Yellow belt – two stripe (7 th rank) NANA KYU – a youth "orange" belt allowed this rank Green belt (6 th rank) ROK KYU – Chu Kyu Green belt – one stripe (5 th rank) GO KYU Green belt – two stripe (4 th rank) YON KYU – youth “purple” or pre-brown "blue" rank Brown belt (3 rd rank) SAN KYU – Jo Kyu Brown belt – one stripe (2 nd rank) NI KYU – some allow “gi” colors other than Brown belt – two stripe (1 st rank) IK KYU “Black” Belt – (1ST Dan ) SHO DAN : minimum 2 years

*on occasion a third stripe can be awarded at any kyu-grade for either a very dedicated or mature karateka who may be a long standing student or family elder whose hard work and perseverance needs rewarded and/or respected even though they may not be able to advance through kata and kihon.

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Program Syllabus Outline

••• White Belt ( MU KYU: “No rank” beginner )

To achieve one and two belt stripes – ••• Then to achieve BROWN belt – - approximately 2-3 months of training or more - ability to demonstrate basic Kihon - minimum 12 months of training or more (Kihon: 基 本 - “basic” fundamental technique) - be at least 16 yo or equivalent maturity - ability to demonstrate an improvement in skills Kata (forms): - Taikyoku short form Kata (forms): - Pinan Sandan

••• - Pinan Yondan To achieve YELLOW belt – - Pinan Godan - minimum 3 months of training or more Brown belt ( JO-KYU ) (“3rd rank”: San Kyu) - ability to demonstrate an improvement in skills To achieve one (“2nd rank”: Ni Kyu ) Kata (forms): and two (“1st rank”: Ik Kyu ) belt stripes – - Taikyoku long form - approximately 14-18 months of training or more - Fukyugata Ichi - ability to demonstrate kihon with sharp, crisp and

- Niahanchi Shodan consistent technique Yellow Belt ( SHO-KYU ) (“9th rank”: Ku Kyu) To achieve one (“8th rank”: Hachi Kyu ) ••• Minimum required to achieve the 1st dan and two (“7th rank”: Nana Kyu ) belt stripes – (Shōdan) BLACK belt – - approximately 4-5 months of training or more - ability to demonstrate improvement in basic kihon - at least 24 months of training or more - be at least 18 yo or equivalent maturity Orange Belt (NANA-KYU ) (- low Green equivalent) - ability to demonstrate strong reliable kihon - optional intermediate youth rank awarded to students - kata with speed, power and intent who may lack the maturity to advance but who have - good affect with new and young students exceeded required skills in either kata and/or kihon. - apply and teach self-defense techniques - participated in tournament ••• Then to achieve GREEN belt – (or similar competition that includes kata and kumite)

- minimum of 6 months of training or more Kata (forms): - be at least 14 yo or equivalent maturity - ability to demonstrate an improvement in skills - Niahanchi Ni - Kusanku dai Kata (forms): - Fukyugata Ni Black Belt (“1ST Dan”: SHO DAN ) - Pinan Shodan

- Pinan Nidan Kobudō (“old martial way”, Ryukyu weapons arts) Green Belt ( CHU-KYU ) (“6th rank”: Rok Kyu) - the study of weapons begins at this level To achieve one (“5th rank”: Go Kyu ) - development of free-style sport forms encouraged and two (“4th rank”: Yon Kyu ) belt stripes - bunkai and application studies expected

- approximately 8-10 months of training or more - ability to demonstrate kihon with focus and strength “Black” Belts –

SHO DAN (1ST Dan ) – minimum 2 years * Purple Belt ( YON-KYU ) (– low Brown belt equivalent) - optional intermediate youth rank awarded to students NI DAN (2nd Dan ) – minimum 4 yrs who may lack the maturity to advance but who have rd SAN DAN (3 Dan ) – minimum 6 yrs exceeded required skills in either kata and/or kihon. YON DAN (4th Dan ) – minimum 8 yrs Blue Belt ( YON-KYU ) (– low Brown belt equivalent) th - optional intermediate rank awarded to students who GO DAN (5 Dan ) – minimum 10 yrs …etc. excel in most areas but may still need some encouragement before advancement and who have exceeded required skills * minimum collective time of dedication and study in either kata and/or kihon.

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Kata ( 型 or 形 literally: "form" ), are the detailed choreographed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in groups. The term is used in many traditional Japanese arts such as theater (like kabuki) and schools of tea ceremony (chado), but are most commonly known for a presence for teaching the martial arts.

“Kata does not teach you how to fight; it teaches you how to move.” -- Hanshi Frank Grant , Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu

--- KATA --- Taikyoku - FORMS Gedan ( low blocks ) -- Chudan ( middle blocks ) -- Jodan ( high blocks ) Simple long form based on the “H“ kata patterned created by Gichin Funakoshi to introduce new students to the concepts of structured movements and basic techniques. The short form is a simple “turn – block – punch” pattern.

Fukyugata Fukyugata Ichi -- Fukyugata Ni Shoshin Nagamine created Fukyugata Ichi and Chojun Miyagi ( Goju-ryu ) created Fukyugata Ni ( or Gekisai Ichi ) with early exposure to mae geri and empi techniques. They were commissioned in 1940 by special committee under Mr. Hayakawa, governor of Okinawa and introduced in 1941, designed to be the first basic kata for students of all styles.

Naihanchi Shodan -- Nidan The composer of the Naihanchi is unknown. Before the Tiakyoku, Fukyugata and Pinan kata were developed, karate students learned Naihanchi Shodan as their first (and often for years, their only) kata. Performed in straddle stance it translates to “internal divided conflict”. It is the first kata introduced that starts with a move to the right.

Pinan Shodan -- Nidan -- Sandan -- Yondan -- Godan The Pinan katas were developed by Anko Itosu after his commission to teach in the Okinawa public school system around 1900 and were taken from older kata, including Kusanku, and made into easier forms for teaching karate to young students. Pinan translates to “peaceful and calm” and the kata are now a karate standard. ------Kūsankū (Minimum required kata to progress into dan ranks) Kusanku Dai or commonly just Kusanku, is believed to be introduce by and named after the Chinese martial artist and diplomat to Okinawa, Kwang Shang Fu. This kata is distinguished by having advanced techniques and is the longest kata in our style. Choshin Chibana is credited with refining this kata and the versions most widely practiced are all based on the Kusanku Sho and Kusanku Dai that he taught.

Additional Kata that the serious karateka should consider as they progress into Dan Itosu No Passai – Naihanchi Sandan Kusanku Sho – Matsumura No Passai Chintō – Gojūshiho *with Naihanchi Sho, the Pinan’s and Kusanku Dai possibly the most significant kata of Okinawan karate ------

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UKE WAZA – Blocks

“shuto ” -- knife hand, the edge of the hand; (“shoe-toe”) “juji uke ” -- middle crossing block or X block, a foundational defensive move; (“jew-gee oo-kay”) “gedan barai ” -- down or low block; pronounce (“geh-dahn bah-rye”) “uchi uke ” -- middle block, “from inside block” inside to outside; (“oo-chee oo-kay”) “age uke ” -- rising block, pronounce (“ah-gay oo-kay”) “soto uke ” -- cross middle block or just cross block, “from outside block” outside to inside “morote uke ” -- “augmented” block; (“moh-row-teh oo-kay”) “sei ken juji uke ” -- cross fist block, gedan “low” or jodan “high”; (“say-kin jew-gee oo-kay”) “haishu uke ” -- open back hand block, literally “back of hand”; (“hi-shoe oo-kay”) “nagashi uke ” -- sweeping palm or flowing block; (“nah-gah-shee oo-kay”) sometimes with“shotei” “osae uke ” -- dropping palm block or downward open hand pressing technique; (“oh-sigh oo-kay”) “teisho uke ” -- palm heel block, sometimes “shotei uke”; pronounce (“tay-sho oo-kay”) “shuto juji uke ” -- cross knife hand block, gedan “low” or jodan “high” “kosa uke ” -- dual block, one arm uchi uke the other gedan barai, seen in opening of pinan sandan

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GERI WAZA – Kicks

“geri ” -- a kick, or alternate spelling "keri"; (note: always with prefix, never alone – alone translates as ‘diarrhea’) “soku ” -- the foot; "haisoku" top of foot, "sokuto" foot blade, foot edge “mae geri ” -- a front kick; (“my geh-ree”) “yoko geri ” -- a side kick; (“yoh-koh geh-ree”) “ushiro geri ” -- a back kick; (“oo-she-row geh-ree”) “mawashi geri ” -- a “round house” or just round kick; (“mah-wah-she geh-ree”) “uchi mikazuki geri ” -- a crescent kick; “from the inside” (“oo-chee mee-kah-zoo-key geh-ree”) “sokuto geri ” -- a foot-edge kick, or edge stomp; (“soh-koo-tow geh-ree”) “hiza geri ” -- a knee strike, knee kick; (“hee-zah geh-ree”) “kin geri ” -- a front instep kick, or groin kick “ura mawashi geri ” – a “hook kick”, a reverse round kick or spinning heel kick “soto mikazuki geri ” -- a crescent kick; “from the outside” outside to inside

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UCHI WAZA – Strikes

“oya yubi ken ” -- aka; "karate fist "; similar to Seiken except thumb tip against first joint of index “ura ken ” -- back fist, "ura ken uchi" back fist strike “tetsu ” -- hammer fist; alternate spelling “teitsui”; pronounce (“te-tzoo”) “empi ” -- the elbow or an elbow strike “empi uchi” “shuto ” -- knife hand, the edge, "shuto uchi" edge strike, "shuto uke" edge hand block "sei ken " -- the basic fist, refers to first two knuckles, literally “true fist”; (“say kin”) “haito ” -- ridge hand, "haito uchi" ridge hand strike, literally "back of sword"; (“hah-ee-toh”) “oya yubi uchi ” -- thumb strike or " karate thumb " “wan ” -- forearm striking surface “nukite ” -- spear hand; (“new-key-tay”) “teisho ” -- palm heel, "teisho uchi" palm heel strike, pronounce (“tay-show”) "ippon ken " -- one knuckle fist or "eagle eye" fist ; (“ee-pohn kehn”) “hiraken ” -- fore-knuckle hand “nakadaka ken ” -- middle knuckle fist, pronounce ("nah-kah-dah-kah kehn") “katuto ” -- wrist strike; also “ko uchi” “washi de ” -- eagle hand, or crane beak strike "choku tsuki" -- straight punch "gyaku tsuki" -- reverse punch "kizami tsuki" -- “leading” or jab punch

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DACHI – Stances; pronounce (dah-chee)

( 前 屈 立 ) Front Stance " zenkutsu-dachi " aka; deep forward stance; (“zen-koo-tsue dah-chee”)

( 騎 馬 立 ) Side Stance " kiba-dachi " aka; horse straddle stance; (“key-bah dah-chee”)

( 猫 足 立 ) Cat Stance " neko ashi-dachi " aka; cat foot stance; (“neh-koh ah-she-dah-chee”)

( 後 屈 立 ) Back Stance " kokutso-dachi " aka; mountain stance; (“koe-koo-tsu dah-chee”)

( 基立 ) Natural Stance " moto-dachi " aka; basic or fighting stance; (“moh-tow dah-chee”)

( 交 差 立) Cross Stance " kosa-dachi " aka; cross step or hook step stance; (“koe-sah dah-chee”)

Some titles you may encounter - ( 先 輩 ): “Senpai” - is an upperclassman, a senior student or mentor

( 先 生 ): “Sensei ” - translated as "person before another" a title to address teachers and show respect *

( 錬 士 ): “Renshi” - skilled or master teacher awarded to 4th Dan and above - written title not used to address directly.

( 教 士 ): “Kyōshi” - Senior Teacher awarded to 6th Dan and above - title not used to address directly.

( 範 士 ): “Hanshi” - Expert Teacher or "teacher of teachers" awarded to 8th Dan and above - title not used to address directly.

( 宗 家 ): “Sōke ” - is Japanese , not Okinawan, means "the head family” (not “founder” as some believe) - another title.

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COUNTING IN JAPANESE

The "i" sounds like "ea" in "each" and the "chee" is like "cheek." Spoken quickly, "ee" is not or barely 1 “Ichi” - one. (((一(一一一)))) pronounced and the whole word sounds like "each."

2 “Ni” - two. (((二(二二二)))) It sounds like "knee."

3 “San” - three. (((三(三三三)))) It sounds like "sahn."

It sounds just like "she." It can alternately be pronounced 4 “Shi” - four. (((四(四四四)))) "yon" (sounds like "yohn", not like "yawn").

English speakers have a tendency to say the word "go" as if it were spelled "gohw". When you say "go" in Japanese, you 5 “Go” - five. (((五(五五五)))) need to leave your mouth rounded when you're done to prevent slipping towards a "w" sound.

The R is pronounced like a cross between R and L, so when you say it it should sound similar to "loh-koo." with the 6 “Roku” - six. (((六(六六六)))) emphasis on the "ku". In the Japanese the R sound is pronounced using only the very tip of the tongue.

Sounds like "she-chee", with a hint of tch on the "chee." It 7 “Shichi” - seven. (((七(七七七)))) can also be pronounced "nana" (the ‘A’s are pronounced "ah").

8 “Hachi” - eight. (((八(八八八)))) It sounds like "ha!" then "tchee."

It sounds like the letter "q." Similarly to "go," English speakers tend to pronounce it as "kyoow" - make sure to 9 “Ku” - nine. (((九(九九九)))) keep your mouth rounded on the"oo" sound and not to slip towards "w".

10 “Ju” - ten. (((十(十十十)))) It's pronounced "joo", with a teensy-tiny bit of zh on the "j"

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A few bonus terms – “arigatō ” -- thank you, “dōmo arigatō gozaimasu” thank you very much “bo ” -- wooden staff, 5 to 6 ft in length. also "kon" “budo ” -- military or martial way or path "Bu" literally means to stop a spear "Do" means way or path “bunkai ” – literally “to take apart”, an application of kata movements, with each move called an “Oyo” “bushido ” -- the way of the warrior - a code of ethics, mainly applied to samurai “chu dan ” -- middle level, from the waist to the neck “do itashi mashite” -- You are welcome “Dojo ” -- “training hall” “Fukyu ” – literally “fundamental” “ge dan ” -- lower level; below the waist “gi ” -- ("gee") traditional karate uniform “hai ” -- "That's right!" or "Yes!" means that you agree – “Iya” means No “hajime ” -- ("ha-ja'-may") Begin “jo ” -- a short staff about 3-4 feet, also upper “jo dan ” -- the upper level, above the neck “kama ” -- farm implement similar to a sickle, used as a weapon with a 6” to 8” blade and a long wooden handle “kiai ” -- a shout or a yell that converges and directs energy to stun opponents for more effective strikes “Kihan ” – literally “basic” techniques “Konnichiwa ” -- Hello, good afternoon “kyusho jutsu ” -- pressure point fighting “ge dan ” -- lower level; below the waist “makiwara ” -- striking board or surface for karate conditioning “nun chuku ” -- two clubs connected by rope or chain, to use as a training weapon “obi ” -- a belt, a traditional man's obi was 4" wide and 10' long “rei ” -- bow with respect, pronounce (“ray”) “sai ” -- a medium sized trident like weapon possibly originated from a fishing or boating implement “Shitei-ai ” -- concept of "master disciple trust" - that the student must "earn" not "buy" karate teaching; “Shorin ” -- small pine wood or little pine forest, possibly an Okinawan/Japanese pronunciation of "Shoalin" “soto ” -- to the outside “tameshiwari ” -- breaking techniques used in testing with the typical adult board approx. 10"x12"x1" “tonfa ” -- wooden club with 90 deg handle, thought to originate from a well handle or threshing tool “tsuki ” -- to punch, literally to “thrust”, see alternate spelling “zuki”: pronounce (“tsoo-kay” or “zoo-kay”) “uchi ” -- to strike, pronounce (“oo-chee”); also for “to the inside” “wakarimasu ” -- I understand “waza ” -- techniques “yama-tsuki “-- two-Level double punch or "mountain punch" seen in fukyugata ni and passai “yame ” -- stop or finish “Yoi ” -- ready and/or attention

Sensei Thomas – 3rd dan, Tomasu Shobu-Ryu Okinawan Shuri-te Shorin Kai Karate-do of Northern Arkansas http://www.dandytech.com/karate.htm

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