Shorin-ryu Shidokan
Encyclopedia
is the main branch of Shorin-ryū
style of Okinawan
karate
, started by Katsuya Miyahira
, Hanshi
10th Dan
.
It should not be confused with the newer Japanese Shidokan, another style of Karate 志道館 okinawan shidokan precedes 士道館, Japanese shidokan by 33 years and was well established before the foundation of Japanese shidokan .
, after receiving his Shihan
(4th rank) Certificate from Chōshin Chibana
. Miyahira chose to name his dojo Shidō-kan (志道館, "House of the Way of the Warrior"). "Shidō" was taken from the Analects by Confucius
, chapter seven, verse six in book four of the twenty volume collection; which reads:
in 1959. Miyazato began teaching Shidō-kan in his new hometown, Cordoba
. In the early 1990s, Miyazato left Shidō-kan to head his own style of karate. Then, in 1996, Shidō-kan in Argentina was reestablished by Jorge Garzón, 6th Dan, who has a dojo in La Plata, Buenos Aires
. Garzón is a student of Takeshi Miyagi, a 9th Dan and former student of Miyazato who previously lived in Argentina, but currently resides and has a dojo in Yokohama.
Back in 2009 Miyazato returned to the Shorin-ryū Shidō-kan school, and he and his son, Masatoshi Miyazato, continue teaching and improving the style founded by Miyahira.
Philippine Islands: In 1963, Miyahira received a request to supply a Shorin-ryū instructor to the Philippine Islands. Seikichi Iha
, a student of Miyahira's, was selected, and spent 11 months in Manila at the dojo of Latino Gonzales.
United States: In 1967, Iha went to Los Angeles, California
, USA
to teach at the American-Okinawan Club. After 7 months, Iha opened the Shureikan Dojo on Olympic Blvd with two other 7th Dan black belts. A year later, Iha started his own dojo on West Pico Blvd and named it Shidokan Karate Dojo. Iha moved to Lansing, Michigan
in April 1975, and began teaching at the Original Okinawa Karate Dojo. Iha is currently ranked Hanshi, 10th Dan.
Guam: In 1969, Iha and Seigi Shiroma traveled to Guam
. Shiroma stayed there and opened a dojo. Shiroma is currently ranked 9th Dan.
Germany: Shidō-kan Germany
is headed by Joachim Laupp, 8th Dan, who teaches in Düsseldorf
and Trier
. Students of him run Dojos in Marburg, Saarburg, Chemnitz/Glauchau, Dernbach and Berlin
.
Swiss: Students of Joachim Laupp run Dojos in Zürich
and Luzern.
Greece: Vasillios Raptopoulos, a Student of Joachim Laupp opened up a Dojo in Athens
in 2009.
Australia: Shidō-kan Australia
is headed by Abet Presincula, 8th Dan. Presincula has a dojo in Albion, Victoria
, and is a student of Iha. Abet Presincula was also under Latino H. Gonzales, 9th Dan (Father of Philippine Karate) affiliated and recognized by "Okinawa Shorin Ryu Karate-do Kyokai" headed by Katsuya Miyahira, 10th Dan and founder of the Shido-Kan Shorin Ryu. Presincula had taught many U.S. Navy and U.S. Marines at Subic Bay, Naval Base and San Miguel, Naval Communication Base, Philippines. He promoted many Dan rank from his Dojo (United Karatedo Association) during his time in the Philippines, one notable student in 1979 and promoted to 3rd Dan was Cris A. Bato, a former U.S. Marine Sergeant and Close Combat Instructor.
Brazil: In August 1990, Kazunori Yonamine, began teaching Shidō-kan in the city of São Vicente, Brazil
. In subsequent years, Yonamine's students spread Shidō-kan throughout Brazil to the cities of Piracicaba, São Paulo, Santos and Itajubá. Today there are up to 17 Shidō-kan dojos across these towns. Yonamine is currently a 9th Dan.
Canada: Roy Paul, 6th Dan, is the head of Shidō-kan in Canada
. He is a student of Iha and has a dojo in Guelph
, Ontario
. Shidō-kan Canada celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2006.
France: Shidō-kan in France
is headed by Dick Kevork, 7th Dan, Kyoshi. He began teaching Shidō-kan in Marseilles in September 1988.
Israel: Amit Michaeli, 4th Dan, has a dojo in Jerusalem, Israel
. He is a student of Paul Snader, 7th Dan , who trains in New Jersey
under Iha.
Russia: Dmitry Uritsky, 2nd Dan, has a dojo in Moscow
, Russia
. He is also a student of Snader.
practiced in Shidō-kan varies by dojo. The following series of kata are common to all: Kihon, Naihanchi
, Pinan
, Passai
, Kusanku, Chinto
, Gojushiho, and Teisho
(created by Miyahira). Additionally, some schools practice Jion and Koryu Passai (Old Style Passai).
Shorin-Ryu
is one of the major modern Okinawan martial arts. It was founded by Choshin Chibana in 1933. Shōrin-ryū combines elements of the traditional Okinawan fighting styles of Shuri-te.-History:Chosin Chibana was a top student of the great master of shuri-te, Anko Itosu...
style of Okinawan
Okinawa Prefecture
is one of Japan's southern prefectures. It consists of hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands in a chain over long, which extends southwest from Kyūshū to Taiwan. Okinawa's capital, Naha, is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island...
karate
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,...
, started by Katsuya Miyahira
Katsuya Miyahira
was an Okinawan martial artist who was the grand master of the Shorin-ryu Shido-kan style of Okinawan Karate and the president of the Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karate Association. He is ranked Hanshi, 10th Dan. Miyahira created the Shido-kan branch of Kobayashi Shorin-ryu after the death of his teacher,...
, Hanshi
Japanese titles
The Japanese language uses a broad array of honorific suffixes for addressing or referring to people, for example -san, as in Daniel-san. These honorifics are gender-neutral , though some are more used for men or women and can be attached to first names as well as...
10th Dan
Dan rank
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
.
It should not be confused with the newer Japanese Shidokan, another style of Karate 志道館 okinawan shidokan precedes 士道館, Japanese shidokan by 33 years and was well established before the foundation of Japanese shidokan .
Origin of Shidō-kan
In October 1948, Katsuya Miyahira opened his first karate dojo in Kanehisa, Nishihara, OkinawaNishihara, Okinawa
is a town located in Nakagami District, Okinawa, Japan.As of 2008, the town has an estimated population of 34,869 and a density of 2,201 persons per km²...
, after receiving his Shihan
Dan rank
The ranking system is a Japanese mark of level, which is used in modern fine arts and martial arts. Originally invented in a Go school in the Edo period, this system was applied to martial arts by Kanō Jigorō, the founder of judo and later introduced to other East Asia countries.In the modern...
(4th rank) Certificate from Chōshin Chibana
Choshin Chibana
was an Okinawan martial artist who developed Shorin-ryū karate based on what he had learned from Ankō Itosu.Chibana was the last of the pre-World War karate masters, also called the "Last Warrior of Shuri" He was the first to establish a Japanese ryu name for an Okinawan karate style, calling...
. Miyahira chose to name his dojo Shidō-kan (志道館, "House of the Way of the Warrior"). "Shidō" was taken from the Analects by Confucius
Confucius
Confucius , literally "Master Kong", was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period....
, chapter seven, verse six in book four of the twenty volume collection; which reads:
Determine in your heart to forever follow the way.
Stay close to the sun of virtue and do not stray.
Trust in the power of benevolence for support.
Take pleasure from these abilities.
Creation of Shorin-ryū Shidō-kan
Upon Chibana's death in 1969, Chibana's most senior student, Katsuya Miyahira, received the hanko (official seals of the organization) and was voted president of the Okinawa Shorin-ryū Karate-dō Association. Chibana most senior students split the style of Shorin-ryū karate into various schools, Miyahira heading the main branch which is now called Shidō-kan (志道館) style, based upon the neame of Miyahira's dojo.Spread
Argentina: Shoei Miyazato , Miyahira's most senior student, moved to ArgentinaArgentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
in 1959. Miyazato began teaching Shidō-kan in his new hometown, Cordoba
Córdoba, Argentina
Córdoba is a city located near the geographical center of Argentina, in the foothills of the Sierras Chicas on the Suquía River, about northwest of Buenos Aires. It is the capital of Córdoba Province. Córdoba is the second-largest city in Argentina after the federal capital Buenos Aires, with...
. In the early 1990s, Miyazato left Shidō-kan to head his own style of karate. Then, in 1996, Shidō-kan in Argentina was reestablished by Jorge Garzón, 6th Dan, who has a dojo in La Plata, Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina, and the second-largest metropolitan area in South America, after São Paulo. It is located on the western shore of the estuary of the Río de la Plata, on the southeastern coast of the South American continent...
. Garzón is a student of Takeshi Miyagi, a 9th Dan and former student of Miyazato who previously lived in Argentina, but currently resides and has a dojo in Yokohama.
Back in 2009 Miyazato returned to the Shorin-ryū Shidō-kan school, and he and his son, Masatoshi Miyazato, continue teaching and improving the style founded by Miyahira.
Philippine Islands: In 1963, Miyahira received a request to supply a Shorin-ryū instructor to the Philippine Islands. Seikichi Iha
Seikichi Iha
was born in Nishihara City, Okinawa. Iha is an Okinawan martial artist who trains in the Shorin-ryū Shidō-kan style of Karate. Iha is currently the Director of the North American Beikoku Shido-kan Karate-do Association and the highest ranking Okinawan master in the United States.-Martial arts...
, a student of Miyahira's, was selected, and spent 11 months in Manila at the dojo of Latino Gonzales.
United States: In 1967, Iha went to Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
to teach at the American-Okinawan Club. After 7 months, Iha opened the Shureikan Dojo on Olympic Blvd with two other 7th Dan black belts. A year later, Iha started his own dojo on West Pico Blvd and named it Shidokan Karate Dojo. Iha moved to Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
in April 1975, and began teaching at the Original Okinawa Karate Dojo. Iha is currently ranked Hanshi, 10th Dan.
Guam: In 1969, Iha and Seigi Shiroma traveled to Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
. Shiroma stayed there and opened a dojo. Shiroma is currently ranked 9th Dan.
Germany: Shidō-kan Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
is headed by Joachim Laupp, 8th Dan, who teaches in Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf is the capital city of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia and centre of the Rhine-Ruhr metropolitan region.Düsseldorf is an important international business and financial centre and renowned for its fashion and trade fairs. Located centrally within the European Megalopolis, the...
and Trier
Trier
Trier, historically called in English Treves is a city in Germany on the banks of the Moselle. It is the oldest city in Germany, founded in or before 16 BC....
. Students of him run Dojos in Marburg, Saarburg, Chemnitz/Glauchau, Dernbach and Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
.
Swiss: Students of Joachim Laupp run Dojos in Zürich
Zürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
and Luzern.
Greece: Vasillios Raptopoulos, a Student of Joachim Laupp opened up a Dojo in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
in 2009.
Australia: Shidō-kan Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
is headed by Abet Presincula, 8th Dan. Presincula has a dojo in Albion, Victoria
Albion, Victoria
Albion is a small suburb in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 13 km west from Melbourne's central business district. It is completely surrounded by other parts of Sunshine except for Ardeer which lies to Albion's due west across Kororoit Creek. Its Local Government Area is the City of Brimbank...
, and is a student of Iha. Abet Presincula was also under Latino H. Gonzales, 9th Dan (Father of Philippine Karate) affiliated and recognized by "Okinawa Shorin Ryu Karate-do Kyokai" headed by Katsuya Miyahira, 10th Dan and founder of the Shido-Kan Shorin Ryu. Presincula had taught many U.S. Navy and U.S. Marines at Subic Bay, Naval Base and San Miguel, Naval Communication Base, Philippines. He promoted many Dan rank from his Dojo (United Karatedo Association) during his time in the Philippines, one notable student in 1979 and promoted to 3rd Dan was Cris A. Bato, a former U.S. Marine Sergeant and Close Combat Instructor.
Brazil: In August 1990, Kazunori Yonamine, began teaching Shidō-kan in the city of São Vicente, Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. In subsequent years, Yonamine's students spread Shidō-kan throughout Brazil to the cities of Piracicaba, São Paulo, Santos and Itajubá. Today there are up to 17 Shidō-kan dojos across these towns. Yonamine is currently a 9th Dan.
Canada: Roy Paul, 6th Dan, is the head of Shidō-kan in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. He is a student of Iha and has a dojo in Guelph
Guelph
Guelph is a city in Ontario, Canada.Guelph may also refer to:* Guelph , consisting of the City of Guelph, Ontario* Guelph , as the above* University of Guelph, in the same city...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. Shidō-kan Canada celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2006.
France: Shidō-kan in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
is headed by Dick Kevork, 7th Dan, Kyoshi. He began teaching Shidō-kan in Marseilles in September 1988.
Israel: Amit Michaeli, 4th Dan, has a dojo in Jerusalem, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
. He is a student of Paul Snader, 7th Dan , who trains in New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
under Iha.
Russia: Dmitry Uritsky, 2nd Dan, has a dojo in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
. He is also a student of Snader.
Shidō-kan today
Today, Shidō-kan is one of the largest styles of karate in Okinawa, with over 25 dojo in the prefecture. Within Okinawa, Shidō-kan is well known for its success in the Okinawan Bare Knuckle karate tournaments, largely due to Koichi Nakasone.Punches and strikes
- High punch - jodan zuki
- Middle punch - chudan zuki
- Knife hand strike - shuto uchi
Kicks
- Front snap kick - mae geri
- Side kick - yoko geri
- Roundhouse kick - mawashi geri
- Back thrust kick - ushiro geri
- Stomping kick - fumikomi geri
Blocks
- High block - jodan uke
- Outside block - soto uke
- Inside block - uechi uke
- Low block - gedan barai
- Hooking hand block - kagite uke
Stances
- Attention stance - musubi dachi
- Natural stance - shizentai dachi
- Basic stance - kihon dachi
- Back stance - ukiashi dachi
- Straddle stance - shiko dachi
- Forward stance - zenkutsu dachi
- Horse stance - kiba dachi
- Layout back stance - kokutsu dachi
Kata
The kataKata
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....
practiced in Shidō-kan varies by dojo. The following series of kata are common to all: Kihon, 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...
, Pinan
Pinan series
]The kata are a series of five empty hand forms taught in many karate styles. The Pinan kata originated in Okinawa and were adapted by Anko Itosu from older kata such as Kusanku and Channan into forms suitable for teaching karate to young students. When Gichin Funakoshi brought karate to Japan,...
, 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, Chinto
Chinto (martial arts)
Chintō is an advanced kata practiced in many styles of Karate. According to legend, it is named after a Chinese sailor, sometimes referred to as Annan, whose ship crashed on the Okinawan coast. To survive, Chintō stole from the crops of the local people. Matsumura Sōkon, a Karate master and chief...
, Gojushiho, and Teisho
Teisho
Teisho may refer to:Karate kata* Teisho , created by Katsuya Miyahira and studied by practitioners of Shorin-ryū Shidō-kan Okinawan KarateDJ / Producer* DJ Teisho, Navajo DJ / Producer residing in Terminology...
(created by Miyahira). Additionally, some schools practice Jion and Koryu Passai (Old Style Passai).