History

Introductions
Introductions

It is estimated that probably 90% of American martial artists know little about there style and, other than the physical aspects, most of those martial artists seem content merely to practice karate, with little interest in studying the origins of their art. Those of us in Okinawa Shorin Ryu Matsumura…
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Early On 14th Century
EARLY HISTORY OF OKINAWA KARATE
EARLY HISTORY OF OKINAWA KARATE

Early Okinawan karate, or tode (“China Hand”) as it was called, owes its origin to a mixture of indigenous Okinawan fighting arts and various “foot fighting” systems and empty-hand systems of Southeast Asia and China. Being seafaring people, the Okinawans were in almost constant contact with mainland Asia. It is…
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Satunuku “Tode” Sakugawa (1733-1857)
DEVELOPMENT OF KARATE-DO STYLES AND SYSTEMS
DEVELOPMENT OF KARATE-DO STYLES AND SYSTEMS

Chatan Yara was an early Okinawan master of whom some information exists. Some authorities place his birth at about 1670, in the village of Chatan, Okinawa; others place his birth at a much later date. In any case, he contributed much to Okinawa karate. He reportedly studied in China for…
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Bushi Matsumura (1797-1889)
BUSHI MATSUMURA
BUSHI MATSUMURA

Bushi Matsumura (1797-1889) Sokon Matsumura, also known as Bushi (Warrior) Matsumura and Shuri Matsumura (1797-1889), was one of the most renowned martial artists of his time. He was known as a master “par excellence” and the organizer and founder of Shorin Ryu Karate. Matsumura is responsible for carrying on the…
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(1860-1930) NABE MATSUMURA
NABE MATSUMURA
NABE MATSUMURA

(1860-1930) NABE MATSUMURA brought the old Shorin-ryu secrets into the modern age. His name does not appear in many karate lineage charts According to Hohan Soken (1889-1982), the purest teaching of Matsumura’s Shorin Ryu was carried on by Matsumura Nabi (c.1860-1930). He received training in the family style of Matsumura…
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Hohan Soken (1889-1982)
SOKEN HOHAN
SOKEN HOHAN

Hohan Soken (1889-1982) The next successor in the lineage of Matsumura Shorin Ryu was Hohan Soken(1889-1982). He began training at age thirteen under his uncle, Nabe Matsumura. Soken had to work in the fields as a youth in spite of his Samurai heritage. This was due to a political reorganization…
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Fuse Kise - 1935
KISE FUSEI
KISE FUSEI

Fusei Kise (1935 – ) KISE FUSEI was born on May 4, 1935. He began his study of karate in 1947 under his uncle, Master Makabe. In 1955, Master Kise became a student to Master Shingake Nobutake and received his shodan. In 1958, Master Kise began studying under Grandmaster Soken…
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Isao Kise - 1957
Kaicho Isao Kise
Kaicho Isao Kise

Isao Kise (1957 – ) Kaicho (President) Isao Kise is the President of the All Okinawan Shorin Ryu Kenshin Kan Karate and Kobudo Federation. Kaicho Isao teaches at the Main Dojo, Okinawa City, Okinawa Japan, military bases on Okinawa and has his on Dojo in Okinawa City. Kaicho is the…
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