| :: Shorin Ryu Karate :: |
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Karatedo originated in China during the 5th century A.D. with an Indian man's visit to the Shaolin
Monastery. The visitor, known as Bodhidarma (Chinese) or Dharuma (Japanese), taught the Shaolin
monks a combination of ch'an meditation (Zen in Japanese), breathing, and fighting techniques. This
fighting system was further developed by the monks and called Shaolin Temple Boxing.
It took a long time, however, for this practice to expand from its place of origin. The Chinese first
demonstrated their martial art in Okinawa during the 14th century, when the two countries were involved
in heavy trade, but it was not until the 18th century that the art really began to spread. It was at this time
that Kusanku, the Chinese military official, came to Okinawa. He allegedly gave a demonstration in 1761,
which included punching, jumping, kicking, and blocking techniques and subsequently began teaching
chuan fa (fist way) during his visits to Okinawa. Kusanku therefore played a major role in the expansion
of this martial art.
Other important figures in the evolution of karatedo are Peichin Takahara and Tode Sakugawa. An
Okinawan renowned in the indigenous art of tode, Monk Takahara was the first to explain the meaning of
the word "do" as it applied to karate. He cited three aspects of do: igo, the way or spiritual aspect; ho,
the self-defense application; and katsu, the life- giving or practice and understanding of the physical
techniques. Tode Sakugawa, who had studied with both Takahara and Kusanku, combined the
teachings of the two instructors to form a blend of chuan fa and tode called karatedo (Chinese hand
way). The name of our system has thus evolved.
Some of the more prominent students of Bushi Matsumura include Yatsutsune "Ankoh" Itoso
(1830-1915), Chotoku Kyan (1870-1944), and Choki Motobu (1871-1944). Little is known about Motobu,
except that he was famous for numerous fights and brawls and was the first karate practitioner to defeat
a Western boxer. He also instructed some of the most renowned martial artists, although he did not
propagate a school of his own. Itosu, known for his great strength and agility, introduced karatedo into
the public school system. Here he broke down the complicated Kusanku kata into five shorter forms
called Pinan.
Itosu's contemporary, Kanryo Higashionna (1845-1915), influenced Shorin Ryu in yet another way. After
spending twenty years in China, Higashionna returned to Okinawa and began teaching a soft or internal
style of martial art called Naha-te or Higashionna-ha. This system taught kicking techniques. Named
Goju (hard, soft) Ryu by Higashionna's student Chojun Miyagi, this system became the other primary
influence of Okinawan karate styles.
Monastery. The visitor, known as Bodhidarma (Chinese) or Dharuma (Japanese), taught the Shaolin
monks a combination of ch'an meditation (Zen in Japanese), breathing, and fighting techniques. This
fighting system was further developed by the monks and called Shaolin Temple Boxing.
It took a long time, however, for this practice to expand from its place of origin. The Chinese first
demonstrated their martial art in Okinawa during the 14th century, when the two countries were involved
in heavy trade, but it was not until the 18th century that the art really began to spread. It was at this time
that Kusanku, the Chinese military official, came to Okinawa. He allegedly gave a demonstration in 1761,
which included punching, jumping, kicking, and blocking techniques and subsequently began teaching
chuan fa (fist way) during his visits to Okinawa. Kusanku therefore played a major role in the expansion
of this martial art.
Other important figures in the evolution of karatedo are Peichin Takahara and Tode Sakugawa. An
Okinawan renowned in the indigenous art of tode, Monk Takahara was the first to explain the meaning of
the word "do" as it applied to karate. He cited three aspects of do: igo, the way or spiritual aspect; ho,
the self-defense application; and katsu, the life- giving or practice and understanding of the physical
techniques. Tode Sakugawa, who had studied with both Takahara and Kusanku, combined the
teachings of the two instructors to form a blend of chuan fa and tode called karatedo (Chinese hand
way). The name of our system has thus evolved.
Some of the more prominent students of Bushi Matsumura include Yatsutsune "Ankoh" Itoso
(1830-1915), Chotoku Kyan (1870-1944), and Choki Motobu (1871-1944). Little is known about Motobu,
except that he was famous for numerous fights and brawls and was the first karate practitioner to defeat
a Western boxer. He also instructed some of the most renowned martial artists, although he did not
propagate a school of his own. Itosu, known for his great strength and agility, introduced karatedo into
the public school system. Here he broke down the complicated Kusanku kata into five shorter forms
called Pinan.
Itosu's contemporary, Kanryo Higashionna (1845-1915), influenced Shorin Ryu in yet another way. After
spending twenty years in China, Higashionna returned to Okinawa and began teaching a soft or internal
style of martial art called Naha-te or Higashionna-ha. This system taught kicking techniques. Named
Goju (hard, soft) Ryu by Higashionna's student Chojun Miyagi, this system became the other primary
influence of Okinawan karate styles.
| Ten Precepts Of China Hand China Hand did not develop from Buddhism or Confucianism. In the past the Shorin School and the Shorei school were brought here from China. Both of these schools have strong points, which I will now mention before there are too many changes. 1. China Hand is not merely practiced for your own benefit: it can be used to protect one's family or master. It is not intended to be used against a single assailant but instead as a way of avoiding a fight should one be confronted by a villain or ruffian. 2. The purpose of China Hand is to make the muscles and bones hard as rock and to use the hands and legs as spears. If children were to begin training in China Hand while in elementary school, then they will be well suited for military service. Remember the words of the Duke of Wellington after he defeated Napoleon: "Our victory here today was achieved in our school yards." 3. China Hand cannot be quickly learned. Like a slow moving bull, it eventually travels a thousand miles. If one trains diligently everyday, then in three or four years one will come to understand China Hand. Those who train in this fashion will discover China Hand. 4. In China Hand training of the hands and feet are important, so one must be thoroughly trained on the makiwara (striking post). In order to do this, drop your shoulders, open your lungs, take hold of your strength, grip the floor with your feet and sink your energy into your lower abdomen. Practice using each arm one to two hundred times each day. 5. When one practices the stances of China Hand, be sure to keep your back straight, lower your shoulders, put strength in your legs, stand firmly and drop your energy into your lower abdomen. 6. Practice each of the techniques of China Hand repeatedly, the use of which is passed by word of mouth. Learn the explanations well and decide when and in what manner to apply them when needed. Enter, counter, release is the rule of releasing hand (torite). 7. You must decide if China Hand is for your health or to aid your duty. 8. When you train, do so as if on the battlefield. Your eyes should glare, shoulders drop, and body harden.. You should always train with intensity and spirit and in this way you will naturally be ready. 9. One must not overtrain; this will cause you to lose the energy in your lower abdomen and will be harmful to your body. Your face and eyes will turn red. Train wisely. in the elementary schools, then we will produce many men each capable of defeating ten assailants. I Hand. In this way after graduation they can teach at the elementary schools that which they have been further believe this can be done by having all students at the Okinawa Teachers Collage practice China Hand. In this way after graduation they can teach at the elementary schools that which they have been consider my suggestion. taught. I believe this will be a great benefit to our nation and our military. It is my hope you will seriously consider my suggestion. Anko Itosu October 1908 |
| Great Master Anko Itosu |
| Okinawa 1937: Group training |
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