Shorinji-Ryu Karate
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Shorinji-Ryu Karate is a powerful martial art, with its origins traced back from Okinawa to the Shaolin Temple. Contrary to many modern Karate systems that use muscular tension and external strength, this one focuses on the idea of soft technique, explosiveness, and the expression of Ki for its power. Refined into very complete, well rounded fighting art, Shorinji-Ryu Karate maintains its fighting prowess, discipline, and elegance through an intensive training curriculum. Combined with the approach of adaptability and innovation as its principals, this fully trains the practitioner to be a well-rounded Generalist.
Principles & Training Methodology Kata Kata, or Form, is essential to understanding Karate as a fully functional and alive art form. Taught properly at The Martial Arts Academy, Kata is fully explained in a way that many large commercial dojos and other schools fall short. Each technique is learned thoroughly, with the underlying principles of body dynamics, coordination, power generation, movement quality, and proper fighting spirit are clearly shown in a step by step fashion. |
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Basics
A sound foundation in the basics form dependable fighting techniques that will not fail you under pressure. Rigorous basic training in hand and leg techniques performed from horse stance, and moving line sets develops proper footwork, timing, and superior leg strength.
Proven over centuries, The ability and strength of the practitioner is always shown through knowledge of the basics, and most importantly, Kata. Many so-called great masters that only specialized in fancy techniques have fallen in combat to those whom possess the ability of the basics and fighting spirit of the Kata.
A sound foundation in the basics form dependable fighting techniques that will not fail you under pressure. Rigorous basic training in hand and leg techniques performed from horse stance, and moving line sets develops proper footwork, timing, and superior leg strength.
Proven over centuries, The ability and strength of the practitioner is always shown through knowledge of the basics, and most importantly, Kata. Many so-called great masters that only specialized in fancy techniques have fallen in combat to those whom possess the ability of the basics and fighting spirit of the Kata.
Bunkai & Kumite
Next, Bunkai (Fighting Drills) are also practiced, in a staged curriculum: first against a cooperative training partner in order to fully understand the sequence of techniques, second against a semi-cooperative partner, and thirdly, you must perform your Bunkai against a non-cooperative partner that fully resists you each step of the way, Even the most simple of techniques become very difficult to do well. This time proven method hones your technique into a usable skill set that will benefit even the seasoned martial artist. Lastly you will have the opportunity to apply your techniques, in full power Jiyu Kumite to test what you have learned.
Philosophy & Meditation
At the end of class, a Zen philosophy dissertation is given on the theme of the class that day. Learning how to improve one's character through self examination and scrutiny is emphasized, followed by a classical Shugendo meditation tradition done to self-reflect and rejuvenate the mind and body.
At the end of class, a Zen philosophy dissertation is given on the theme of the class that day. Learning how to improve one's character through self examination and scrutiny is emphasized, followed by a classical Shugendo meditation tradition done to self-reflect and rejuvenate the mind and body.
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Lineage & History |
Anko Itosu
Itosu Anko (1831-1915) Itosu Sensei was a very powerful martial artist whom learned under the tutelage of Sokon Matsumura. Well into his seventies, he successfully defended the reputation of Karate in a challenge match by defeating one of Kano Sensei's best Judo fighters, knocking him out with a single punch to the body. Itosu's notable students included Yabu Kentsu, and Gichen Funakoshi.
Yabu Kenstu
Kentsu Yabu (1866-1937) Sensei Kentsu was a prominent teacher of Shorinji-ryu Karate in Okinawa. Yabu put his skills to the ultimate test when he fought in the Sino-Japanese war, perfecting his art on the battlefield. His teachers included both Matsumura Sokon and Itosu Anko, and was among the first people to demonstrate Karate in Hawaii during the 1920s. A young Richard Kim had attended these demonstrations, and joined the class under the instruction of Yabu, and later Arakaki Ankichi.
Richard Kim
Richard Kim (1917–2001) Widely considered to be the best martial artist of the 20th Century, Sensei Kim was a master instructor. When he was a child, he began his training in Judo, and later, Shorinji-ryu Karate under Yabu Kentsu and Arakaki Ankichi. Before World War II, his service in the US merchant marines took him to east Asia. While there, he trained in Taiji Quan with Chen Chen Yuan, I-Quan with Wang Xiang Zhai, and Bagua Zhang with Chao Hsu Lai.
After the war, he moved to Japan. He studied Daito-Ryu Jujitsu under Kotaro Yoshida and lived with him for seven years. Yoshida fully instructed him in his system, and imparted to Kim a wealth of martial arts philosophy and Shugendo spiritual training. In 1959, Kim began teaching martial arts in San Francisco. He taught extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. He had many great students, including Will Yturriaga's teacher, Sensei Samarrai to whom he taught his entire system, including the full Shugendo spiritual tradition.
After the war, he moved to Japan. He studied Daito-Ryu Jujitsu under Kotaro Yoshida and lived with him for seven years. Yoshida fully instructed him in his system, and imparted to Kim a wealth of martial arts philosophy and Shugendo spiritual training. In 1959, Kim began teaching martial arts in San Francisco. He taught extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. He had many great students, including Will Yturriaga's teacher, Sensei Samarrai to whom he taught his entire system, including the full Shugendo spiritual tradition.
Sensei Samarrai (1942-Present) Sensei Samarrai started learning Shorinji-Ryu Karate under Sensei Kim over 40 years ago. Many years of hard work and dedication led him to a complete understanding of all of Sensei Kim's martial arts material and spiritual traditions. While he was a very prolific teacher during the 1980's and early 1990's, his spiritual training lead him deep into Traditional Shugendo Buddhist Warrior Monk training. He stopped teaching publicly, preferring to teach only a handful of select students. His methods are demanding and disciplined in the classical one-on-one master-apprentice style of instruction. Following in the same approach as Sensei Kim, he emphasizes setting a strong foundation in the basics of Shorinji-Ryu Karate. Later as the student progresses, the overall approach becomes one as a generalist, where Bagua Zhang, Taiji Quan and Jujitsu are taught to create a well rounded martial artist. Once the student completes all of the technical aspects of the arts, he then turns the attention to the idea of developing Ki for internal power through a step-by-step process of of energetic transmissions and meditation.
