The Essence of Shorin Ryu
by George W.
Alexander
ORIGINS
Okinawa, Japan is the
birthplace of karate and Shorin Ryu karate is the oldest and most
traditional form of this Okinawan martial art. The fighting strategy of
Shorin Ryu Karate is predicated on pure self-defense. However, the true
essence of the Shorin Ryu style is embodied in its kata or forms. The
kata are a living record of the history of the art. Since kumite or
practice sparring wasn't done in ancient times the only safe way to
practice was the repetition of kata. The traditional kata of Shorin Ryu
are a set of formal solo exercises which are composed of prearranged
movements of attack and defense against imaginary opponents. Kata
are used as the primary training method in Karate. Since the
techniques of kata were developed from actual fighting, kata are the
classical reenactment of former battles. More importantly, kata
serve as a dictionary of fighting techniques, which have been tested in
combat. The self-defense and fighting applications of the Shorin Ryu
kata are based on both long range and close-in fighting techniques.
The style still contains grappling, joint locking and throwing as well
as kyusho jutsu (vital point striking), as opposed to
merely punching and kicking. This makes it a complete martial art. The
style has not been watered down or lost its original link to combative
reality. Many modern tournament oriented systems have lost this link and
their original combative approach.
“Bushi” Sokon Matsumura
(1797-1889) is considered the founder of Shorin Ryu karate even though
Anko Itosu (1830-1915), his student, actually devised the name Shorin
Ryu, which is the Japanese pronunciation of Shaolin style.
Matsumura was given the title Bushi meaning warrior by the
Okinawan King in recognition of his abilities and accomplishments in the
martial arts. In fact, Matsumura fought many times but was never
defeated. His martial arts endeavors, specifically the
organization of the Okinawan Shorin Ryu system, have been the
progenitor of many contemporary karate styles, Shotokan Ryu and
Shito Ryu, for example. Ultimately all modern styles
of karate that evolved from the Shuri-Te lineage can be traced
back to the teachings of Bushi Matsumura. This
includes Taekwon Do (Korean Karate). Anko Itosu (1830-1915), a
student of Bushi Matsumura was famous for quickly closing with his
opponents and polishing them off with rapid-fire kicks and punches.
Itosu sensei was responsible for bringing karate into the modern age
when he gave the first public demonstrations of the art in Okinawa in
1900. Later, around 1922, the art was brought to mainland Japan by
Okinawan masters and it then spread worldwide.
KATA & FIGHTING
TECHNIQUE
Kata is at the heart of
Shorin Ryu Karate. Kata are the formal solo exercises that define Shorin
Ryu Karate. Kata have sometimes been referred to as shadow boxing but
they are much more than this. Kata are the primary training methodology
used in karate. More importantly, kata serve as a dictionary of fighting
techniques, which have been tested in combat.
An important aspect of
training in kata is bunkai. Bunkai, sometimes referred to
as oyo, is the interpretation of the practical application of
kata movements. In addition to the techniques contained in kata such as,
punching, kicking and blocking, the bunkai of kata contain a
grappling art known as torite or tuite, literally meaning
twisting hands. The tuite applications of Shorin Ryu kata
incorporate both throwing and joint-locking techniques.
Another aspect of
training in kata is the use of kiai. A shout or kiai is
used to release spiritual energy (ki). A kiai is used in
conjunction with a powerful technique to harmonize or maximize one’s
strength while executing the technique. A kiai point in the kata
signifies delivering the coup de grace or the final blow to the
enemy. Most kata contain one or two kiai points.
To understand Shorin Ryu
karate kata as a training methodology it is necessary to go back to the
point in Okinawan martial arts history where these kata developed. Kata
was the principal means of instruction. Knowledge was transmitted from
generation to generation in this way. In the past, before karate’s veil
of secrecy was lifted, martial arts training had to be conducted with
the utmost secrecy. No written records were kept. Therefore, a kata or
pattern of movement was the perfect way to remember and practice
individual techniques. The head of a family or village elder usually
carried out instruction. In most cases, the teaching would be based on
an established family tradition of martial skills indicative of a
particular village. Usually, the village elder would come from a long
line of experts. Kata were literally inherited from one’s ancestors.
Most of the kata we have
today in the Shorin Ryu karate system come to us from Bushi “Warrior”
Matsumura. (1797-1889). He is credited with organizing and passing on
the following kata: Pinan I & II, Naihanchi I & II, Passai Dai
(Matsumura no Passai), Seisan, Useishi (Gojushiho) and Hakutsuru. Since
then, the kata have been modified and evolved into the sophisticated
traditional forms of Shorin Ryu karate used today. The Kihon, Pinan and
Naihanchi are the basic forms of the system. The Kihons are a set of
very elementary forms. The Pinans are a set of five kata with many
self-defense applications. The Naihanchi kata are taught as a set of
three kata. The Naihanchi forms although appearing to be rather
fundamental contain some very effective sparring and self-defense
applications. The implicit application of Naihanchi kata is fighting
with one’s back to a wall. Passai Sho, Passai Dai and Seisan represent
the intermediate kata of Shorin Karate. The name Passai means to have
the strength to penetrate a fortress, i.e. breakdown an opponent’s
defenses. Seisan is a very old kata and traces its origins back to
China. It features open hand techniques and a defense against groin
kicks. Passai Dai and Seisan kata have a high degree of sophistication
with regard to pure self-defense and human psychology in that they both
have movements in which blocking the opponent’s second punch is implied.
The advanced forms of
Shorin Ryu include Chinto, Gojushiho and Kusanku. The Chinto kata and
its quick movements are best suited to a small man. It features balance
maneuvers, one-legged stances, evasion tactics, a throwing technique and
the double flying front kick. The evasion maneuver, in the past known
only as a secret technique, is contained within the Chinto kata. This
technique is referred to as the “diamond step” or the invisible valley
in kung fu. Gojushiho on the other hand shows its unique Chinese origin
with its many circular hand techniques and the use of the tiger and
crane forms of Shaolin Kenpo. Gojushiho means fifty-four steps and is
referred to in the Bubishi as a black tiger and white crane form. The
Kusanku kata is often referred to as the highest and most advanced form
within Shorin Ryu’s repertoire of kata. The kata is named after a
Chinese military envoy that visited Okinawa in 1756. It contains unique
defenses, evasive twisting and counterattack techniques and the double
flying front kick. It also has a form of evasion whereby one blends with
the opponent’s attack and then spins away to escape.
Shorin Ryu – The
Fighting Art
Shorin Ryu karate’s
fighting strategy uses fast and hard retaliatory kicks and punches to
subdue an opponent and to end a confrontation quickly. Shorin Ryu's
fighting system is considered an extension of the kata. In addition, the
style emphasizes strong blocking movements coupled with taisabaki
(body shifting) allowing one to shift away from an opponent's attack and
be in a position to counterattack. The effectiveness of Shorin Ryu
karate is a function of the simplicity of the techniques and movement
inherent in the style.
Furthermore, Shorin Ryu
Karate‘s fighting strategies of Sen No Sen (offensive strategy)
and Go No Sen (defensive strategy) were first expounded in the classic
work of Sun Tzu, The Art of War. The Sun Tzu classic covers
strategy and tactics for warring armies. It is the earliest known work
dealing with the art of war and is considered to be unsurpassed in its
depth of understanding of the subject. It also suggests that if you know
yourself and you know your enemy you will win one hundred percent of the
time. The Bubishi Martial Art Spirit, karate’s mystical
sourcebook, cites the Sun Tzu principles of strategy as they relate to
individual combat and Shorin Ryu karate.
Certain elements of
fighting tactics long used in Okinawa as part of Shorin Ryu’s tactics
include the proper use of distance, speed and timing. Using distance (maai)
correctly means engaging an opponent so as to be at a distance at which
you must advance one step to attack, or retreat one step to defend.
Paradoxically, as in taisabaki, it means to have the opponent
away from you and yet to be close to him.
The advantages of speed
are obvious. Without the ability to strike quickly, the best
attack and counterattack simply will not work. Timing refers
to attacking or defending at the precise moment in order for the
techniques applied to be most effective. Attacking at the wrong
moment allows your opponent to seize the advantage by finding a weakness
in your defense. Blocking too late allows your opponent to penetrate
your defense.
Another element of
fighting tactics implicit in Shorin Ryu karate training methods is
power. The development of knockdown power is critical in actual combat.
An old Okinawan expression was Ikken Hissatsu, meaning to kill
with one blow. This refers to developing enough destructive
power to kill by using one punch or one kick. The effectiveness of
these measures was accomplished by understanding kime or focus
and “impact conditioning”. Kime is the ability to make a muscular
contraction at the end of the execution of a kick or punch. This
creates the snap of the gi. In addition, Matsumura sensei
was often quoted as saying “Torque [hip rotation] plus speed equals true
power”. Impact conditioning refers to striking the makiwara
(striking post) repeatedly in order to develop destructive power. This
was necessary in order to make the one punch kill tactic an effective
measure of Shorin Ryu karate.
The most classical
technique of karate is the counterattack. In the counterattack, the
defender must be able to move his body quickly to avoid an attack.
This principle of Shorin Ryu is called taisabaki or body
shifting. This tactical element teaches how to angle away from an
opponent so that the opponent can be hit but the defender still remains
out of range. The constant repetition of basics and kata are
necessary to develop the skill of footwork, timing and distance needed
to perfect taisabaki.
Bushi Matsumura
(1797-1889) proposed the idea that a warrior who follows the way of the
martial arts waits for the enemy to defeat himself. He says this is what
he admires most. He says “You must deal with your own mind well and wait
for others to fall apart mentally. Win the battle by remaining calm and
steal the mind of your opponent.“ “Wait for the opponent to commit
himself and make a mistake - then counterattack.” Anko Itosu (1830-1915)
is quoted as saying, “During practice you should imagine you are on the
battlefield. When blocking and striking make the eyes glare, drop the
shoulders and harden the body. Now block the enemy’s punch and strike!
Always practice with this spirit, so that when on the real battlefield
you will be naturally prepared.”
The Shorin Ryu style of
Okinawa is a combat oriented martial art that uses kata as its primary
training methodology. Further, the true essence of this art is preserved
by the practice of its traditional kata. The proven techniques contained
in the kata and fighting strategies have shown that Shorin Ryu karate is
an effective self-defense method that has been tested in combat and has
survived to the present day. This effective karate style with its
fast and hard techniques and traditional kata has been handed down to us
from another time. Fortunately, the masters of a bygone era have passed
onto the modern practitioners of the art "The Essence of Shorin Ryu
Karate".