Ryukyu Kempo
Encyclopedia
Ryūkyū Kempo is a generic term often used to describe all forms of karate
from the Ryūkyū Islands
, and more specifically to refer to the particular styles associated with Taika Seiyu Oyata and, without any form of endorsement by Oyata or his organization, with George Dillman
.
Oyata is credited with being the originator of the American
use of the terms Ryukyu Kempo, tuite-jitsu and kyusho-jitsu. The name Ryūkyū Kempo was adopted by a prominent martial arts personality, George Dillman, who taught his own version of Oyata’s style and promoted it heavily through seminars and publications. This prompted Oyata to change the name of his style to Ryu Te
. The Ryu Te organization is international and includes a select cohort of long-time students known as "Oyata Shin Shu Ho," whom he considers the heirs of his art.
and blocking as well as his own creations of a set of grappling
, locking
, and escape techniques (tuite-jitsu) and of advanced striking techniques (kyusho-jutsu). There are twelve open-hand kata
and a number of traditional Okinawan kobudo
weapons including the bō
, chizikunbo, eku
, jō
, kama
, sai
, tanbo, tonfa
, manji-sai, and nunti-bo. Practitioners also train in Bogu Kumite, a style of combat training in protective armor initiated by Oyata and his instructor Shigeru Nakamura.
Several branches of Ryūkyū Kempo have developed. These organizations are headed by members of the former Zenkoku Ryūkyū Kempo Karate Kobudo Rengo Kai. Their separate associations are loosely affiliated. They all have curricula based on that of Oyata. Seikichi Odo
, heir to one of Oyata's instructors, Shigeru Nakamura, had his own organization that taught Ryūkyū Kenpo. Odo, at the request of Nakamura's son, added the 'Hon' to the name so as to differentiate the system he was teaching from that of Nakamura's son (now no longer teaching). Odo apparently died without naming a successor, his son Satsuma has taken the reins; and his organization continues to exist.
These twelve kata were to be taught to those in Nakamura's association; so everyone could compete equally in the kata divisions at tournaments. It did not preclude learning system specific kata in the individual dojo. Bogu Kumite, likewise, afforded equal opportunity for all at the tournaments.
His art has generated a considerable amount of controversy, due in large part to Dillman's reluctance to scientifically prove the validity of his claims. The most contentious claims have been his promotion of alleged no-touch knock-outs, kiai
knock-outs, and increasing technique effectiveness based on sound and color.
George Dillman continues to hold training camps in Deer Lake PA at the former Muhammed Ali training Camp, study under 10th degree black belts from Okinawa, give training seminars all over the world, and oversee Dillman Karate International consisting of over 85 schools worldwide.
Karate
is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...
from the Ryūkyū Islands
Ryukyu Islands
The , also known as the , is a chain of islands in the western Pacific, on the eastern limit of the East China Sea and to the southwest of the island of Kyushu in Japan. From about 1829 until the mid 20th century, they were alternately called Luchu, Loochoo, or Lewchew, akin to the Mandarin...
, and more specifically to refer to the particular styles associated with Taika Seiyu Oyata and, without any form of endorsement by Oyata or his organization, with George Dillman
George Dillman
George Dillman is a martial arts instructor who is controversial due to his claims regarding the use of pressure points and "Knockout" Chi. He refers to the art of using pressure points as Kyusho jitsu. He calls his style of karate Ryukyu kempo karate....
.
Oyata is credited with being the originator of the American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
use of the terms Ryukyu Kempo, tuite-jitsu and kyusho-jitsu. The name Ryūkyū Kempo was adopted by a prominent martial arts personality, George Dillman, who taught his own version of Oyata’s style and promoted it heavily through seminars and publications. This prompted Oyata to change the name of his style to Ryu Te
Ryu Te
is a made up word and combining the first character of "Ryūkyū Islands" and "Te" meaning "hand" and is a Registered trade mark. The word "Ryu Te" is not a noun, but an adjective to describe the type of karate taught by Seiyu Oyata. Ryu Te karate is a traditional form of karate from the Ryukyu...
. The Ryu Te organization is international and includes a select cohort of long-time students known as "Oyata Shin Shu Ho," whom he considers the heirs of his art.
As taught by Taika Seiyu Oyata
Oyata’s Ryūkyū Kempo teaches a style of close-in strikingStrike (attack)
A strike is an attack with an inanimate object, such as a weapon, or with a part of the human body intended to cause an effect upon an opponent or to simply cause harm to an opponent. There are many different varieties of strikes...
and blocking as well as his own creations of a set of grappling
Grappling
Grappling refers to techniques, maneuvers, and counters applied to an opponent in order to gain a physical advantage, such as improving relative position, escaping, submitting, or injury to the opponent. Grappling is a general term that covers techniques used in many disciplines, styles and martial...
, locking
Joint lock
A Joint lock is a grappling technique involving manipulation of an opponent's joints in such a way that the joints reach their maximal degree of motion....
, and escape techniques (tuite-jitsu) and of advanced striking techniques (kyusho-jutsu). There are twelve open-hand kata
Kata
is a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practised either solo or in pairs. The term form is used for the corresponding concept in non-Japanese martial arts in general....
and a number of traditional Okinawan kobudo
Okinawan kobudo
Okinawan kobudō is a Japanese term that can be translated as "old martial way of Okinawa"...
weapons including the bō
Bo
-People:*Bo , name origin, plus people with the name*Bo , name origin, plus people with the surname**Bo , Chinese family names*Bo people , extinct minority population in Southern China famous for hanging coffins...
, chizikunbo, eku
Eku
Eku is an ancient weapon of Okinawan kobudō that originated from an oar, approximately 160 cm in length...
, jō
Jo
JO, Jo or jo may refer to:*Jō, a ~4-foot-long wooden staff used in some Japanese martial arts*Cho , , also spelled Jo, a common Korean family name*Jo , a 1971 French comedy...
, kama
Kama (weapon)
The is a traditional Filipino and Japanese farming implement similar to a small scythe used for reaping crops and also employed as a weapon...
, sai
Sai (weapon)
The sai is a traditional Okinawan martial arts weapon. The basic form of the weapon is that of a pointed, dagger-shaped metal truncheon, with two curved prongs called yoku projecting from the handle...
, tanbo, tonfa
Tonfa
The tonfa , also known as tong fa or tuifa, is an Okinawan weapon. It is a stick with a handle, and is about 15-20 inches long. It was traditionally made from red oak and wielded in pairs...
, manji-sai, and nunti-bo. Practitioners also train in Bogu Kumite, a style of combat training in protective armor initiated by Oyata and his instructor Shigeru Nakamura.
Several branches of Ryūkyū Kempo have developed. These organizations are headed by members of the former Zenkoku Ryūkyū Kempo Karate Kobudo Rengo Kai. Their separate associations are loosely affiliated. They all have curricula based on that of Oyata. Seikichi Odo
Seikichi Odo
Seikichi Odo , whose name means "world walker" in Japanese, was born in Okinawa. He combined kobudō and karate techniques to found the Ryūkyū Hon Kenpo Kobujutsu Federation. He introduced the use of bōgu for full contact sparring.-Education:Of samurai descent, he was small in stature and...
, heir to one of Oyata's instructors, Shigeru Nakamura, had his own organization that taught Ryūkyū Kenpo. Odo, at the request of Nakamura's son, added the 'Hon' to the name so as to differentiate the system he was teaching from that of Nakamura's son (now no longer teaching). Odo apparently died without naming a successor, his son Satsuma has taken the reins; and his organization continues to exist.
| The twelve original Ryūkyū Kempo kata are: |
|---|
| Naihanchi Naihanchi is a karate Kata, performed in straddle stance . It translates to 'internal divided conflict'. The form makes use of in-fighting techniques and grappling. In Shorin-Ryu and Matsubayashi-Ryu Naihanchi Shodan is the first Ni Kyu although it is taught to Yon Kyu occasionally before Evaluations for... Shodan |
| Naihanchi Nidan |
| Naihanchi Sandan |
| Tomari Seisan Seisan The karate kata Seisan literally means '13', however some people refer to the kata as '13 Hands', '13 Fists', '13 Techniques', '13 Steps' or even '13 killing positions'. However, all these names are made up and have no historical basis.Seisan is thought to be one of the oldest kata quite spread... |
| Pinan Shodan |
| Pinan Nidan |
| Pinan Sandan |
| Pinan Yondan |
| Pinan Godan |
| Passai Passai Passai is the Japanese name of a group of kata practiced in different styles of martial arts, including karate and various Korean martial arts . There are several variations of these kata, including Passai sho and Passai dai . In karate, the kata are known as Passai in Okinawan styles and Bassai... |
| Kusanku |
| Niseishi |
These twelve kata were to be taught to those in Nakamura's association; so everyone could compete equally in the kata divisions at tournaments. It did not preclude learning system specific kata in the individual dojo. Bogu Kumite, likewise, afforded equal opportunity for all at the tournaments.
As taught by George Dillman
Dillman's version of the art, which he calls Ryūkyū kempo tomari-te, has a large international following, due in part to aggressive marketing of his books and seminars. The art is known for its emphasis on light-touch pressure-point knock-out.His art has generated a considerable amount of controversy, due in large part to Dillman's reluctance to scientifically prove the validity of his claims. The most contentious claims have been his promotion of alleged no-touch knock-outs, kiai
Kiai
is a Japanese term used in martial arts. There are numerous examples of the battle cry in other cultures: kiai is perhaps primarily a development of this. In the representation of Asian martial arts in cinema and in animated cartoons, Modern Kiai are often written by westerners in Romaji as...
knock-outs, and increasing technique effectiveness based on sound and color.
George Dillman continues to hold training camps in Deer Lake PA at the former Muhammed Ali training Camp, study under 10th degree black belts from Okinawa, give training seminars all over the world, and oversee Dillman Karate International consisting of over 85 schools worldwide.
External links
- Taika Oyata RyuTe Karate page (original version of Ryukyu Kempo)
- George Dillman's page