Shorin Ryu System
These are the basic Katas (forms) in
the Kobayashi Shorin Ryu Lineage
- Kihons Shodan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, Go Dan
- Nai Hanchi Ichi Dan, Nidan, San Dan
- Pinan Sho Dan, Nidan, Sandan, Yondan, Go Dan
- Passai Sho & Dai
- Kusanku Sho & Dai
- Haku Tsuru
- Chinto
- Goju Shiho
Along with katas we also incorporate countless combinations of Renzoku kens (continuous fist techniques) Some are standard throughout the system and some are pulled from the katas that are learned at various stages of the students training. Students learn the techniques with a partner in a safe and supervised environment. This way students learn how to defend and react against a variety of attacks. After a time the techniques become basic muscle memory and the thinking process is taken out of it. This is called Mushin (mindless movement, doing without thinking)
Anyone can learn to do techniques in the air, but to actually be able to apply them is the ulitmate goal.
Ranking
White, Yellow, Blue, Green, Green Adv., Brown, Black.
Belt ranking is a fairly new western ideal. In the ancient times you were given one belt (usually white) and your progress was seen in how the belt aged with sweat and dirt through intensive training and eventually the outer layer of the belt would wear away revealing the white inner core. The circle of training was being completed. Though a true martial artist will never fully complete their training, they will always strive to learn more and grow in knowldge and wisdom throughout their whole life and remain humble while doing so.
Train not for the Rank, but for the Knowledge that the Rank will hold.
Along with open hand training (karate) when a student achieves the rank of Green Belt they have the opportunity to begin traditional weapons training. (Kobudo) Students will normally begin on Bo (staff) and will continue with Sai and Tonfa. Other traditional weapons include nanchuka and coma (sickle). These traditional weapons were originally farm tools because the practice of karate and weapon work was forbidden in ancient times (when the Sho Dynasty ruled and outlawed the practices of both, swords and other weapons were taken or destroyed) ) One could be executed if found practicing. So they used what was available to them. Bo was a walking stick or for toting goods, tonfa was the handle on a mill stone, nanchuka was for thrashing grain, coma was for harvesting grain and the sai has two stories one was that it was a symbol for the war lords going into battle or it was a planting or harvesting tool.
Top Sensei Tom demonstrating focus and power during a 3 brick break demo during the Nov. 2007 testing, Sensei Kira posing with her katana.
Hands on training is vital to learning proper application of techniques. Sensei King assisting with extended training for a local correctional officer.
