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. Page 1 of 12 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. Page 2 of 12 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. Page 3 of 12 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.