History of Seibukan Shorin Ryu Karate
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Introduction
A Brief History of Shorin Ryu
What is Seibukan Shorin Ryu?
Lineage
History of Seibukan
Master Chotoku Cyan
Master Zenryo Shimabukuro
Hanshi Zenpo Shimabukuro
Introduction
Before one can really understand Seibukan (a style of Shorin Ryu Karate), one much first understand the general consensus of how Shorin Ryu came to be. There is much controversy over this subject, because Shorin Ryu was taught only in secret for hundreds of years. As a matter of fact, the Okinawin masters of this great martial art form did not approve of sharing the knowledge until relative modern times (around 1906). Please note that because of this “secrecy”, that many facts here can be argued, but that many scholars believe that this is the general idea of how Okinawin Karate came to be.
A Brief History (as it is understood)
Compiled by Eric Witcher
Okinawa, Japan is the birthplace of modern day karatedo and kobudo. Historians believe that it all originated with the art of Okinawa Te (a fighting form). Also, it is believed that Okinawa Te can be traced back over 1000 years, and that it was originally developed independently of any other fighting form. During the time of origin, the Okinawa’s were not a wealthy people, and weapons were scarce. Furthermore, the islands in the area were politically divided, and typically ruled by many aggressive warlords, each battling for supremacy. This resulted in the creation and evolution of truly remarkable combat methods. One must realize, these were people trying to protect their property, their families, and themselves - with no weapons in sight, against some of fiercest warriors in history.
Somewhere around the mid 1340's, Okinawa entered into a trade relationship with China. This trade and political friendship allowed the Okinawin people to observe the different aspects of China, and were thus exposed to Chinese fighting systems (mostly Kenpo). This of course created a fertile situation for modern day Shorin Ryu to be seeded.
During the 1400’s, the islands again experienced warfare from warlords. In an attempt to bring unification, King Sho Hashi took control successfully. However, in 1470, King Sho Hashi destroyed the former dynasty, in a desire to make it his own. Under his rule, all teaching of fighting styles, along with the use of weapons was banned for all the islanders. This ban was implemented out of the King’s fear of being overthrown (as had been done with other kings many times before). The Okinawins (in their usual interest of survival), continued their emphasis on unarmed combat, but in secret. The main villages of Okinawa are credited with the main styles that emerged from Okinawa Te. From the village of Shuri, came Shuri Te. From the village of Naha, came Naha Te. Finally from the village of Tomari, came Tomari Te
In addition to the standard unarmed fight styles, the Okinawins began to explore other options in the practice of Kobudo (weapons). Because of King Sho Hashi's ban on the traditional weapons (such as the sword), the Okinawin's began using their everyday farming tools as weapons. From this practice the most commonly thought of weapons became known as the: Bo (six foot staff), the Eku (six foot oar), the Kama (grass or cain sickle), the Tonfa (utility handle), and the Nunchaku (horse bit, and even rice flail). However because the Okinawin's never restrained the practice of survival, it is conceivable that these particular weapons might not have been the only weapons practiced.
These various styles of unarmed and armed combat were practiced in secrecy for years. In 1609, Okinawa was seized by the Japanese Satsuma Samurai clan, for refusing to recognize Japan's newest Shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu. As a result, the Shogunate again banned the Okinawa people from carrying weapons. This only further fueled the importance of further developing the martial arts as a means of survival.
Although at this time the Japanese had banned all trade relationships with other countries. The Japanese still, however, allowed Okinawa to trade with China. As a result, around the mid to late 1700's a Chinese diplomat named, Kusanku, moved to Okinawa for 6 years. During his stay he began teaching the Chinese system of Ch'uan-Fa. As these influences became introduced into the different local martial arts, they gradually became known as Tode (or Chinese Hand). By the 1800's these styles were again re-named. Shuri and Tomari-Te formed the basis for Okinawin “Sho Rin Ryu”, while Naha-Te formed Goju Ryu and Uechi Ryu. Although Kusanku is often believed to be a culmination of different Chinese officers, he is often referred to as one person. As is recorded, Tode Sakugawa began studying under Kusanku-sensei. The teachings of Kusanku enabled Sakugawa to combine the essence of both Te and Chinese Boxing principles. These principles form the basis of modern day Shorin Ryu.
Due to the secrecy in which Shorin Ryu had to be practiced, the art form was passed down from master to student for hundreds of years in the form of kata (a series of techniques compiled into a set of movements, to teach the very essence of combat) . Sometimes this teaching was in depth, and happened over the course of many years. At other times, teaching of a style may have been over a very brief period (like two people passing in the road). The need for mass teaching required that the katas being taught were precise, and effective. Most katas were actually named either after their respective teachers or after the very essence of what each kata meant. The Okinawins had an understood law - never keep any written record of these teachings, so no one would ever learn of this practice. Understanding this concept, the kata was (and is now), the most effective way to teach Shorin Ryu to those that want (or need) to know.
What is Seibukan Shorin Ryu?
(quoted from seibukan.org)
Seibukan Shorin Ryu is one of the many karate styles of Okinawin Shorin Ryu. In itself, it teaches Shorin Ryu in the most traditional of methods. Seibukan Shorin Ryu was developed by Master Zenryo Shimabukuro, student of the great Master Chotoku Kyan. It is neither a hard or soft style and requires power and precision as well as speed and agility. Repetition of basics and kata are the foundation of training in Seibukan Shorin Ryu. Dedicated practice of Seibukan Karate-Do is a path of self-discovery and self-improvement. Under the guidance of Sensei Zenpo Shimabukuro, Seibukan Shorin Ryu continues the legacy of its founder Master Zenryo Shimabukuro.
Here is an overview of the lineage of Seibukan Shorin Ryu:
Zenryo Shimabukuro trained under Grandmaster Chotoku Kyan for 10 years and learned the katas; Seisan, Ananku, Wansu, Pasai, Gojushiho, Chinto, Kusanku, and Tokumine no kun.
Zenpo Shimabukuro and Zenji Shimabukuro (cousin to Zenpo Shimabukuro), studied under Grandmaster Chozo Nakama for a short time, to learn Pinan 1-5, Nahanchi 1-3, Jion, and Pasai-Gua. They were asked by Grandmaster Zenryo Shimabukuro, to spend time training with him, and so were formally introduced to and accepted by Grandmaster Chozo Nakama.
Master Chotoku Kyan:
Master Chotoku Kyan was born in 1870, to a very wealthy family in Shuri, Okinawa, the cradle of Karate. At the tender age of five he was taught the empty hand art of self-defense from his father Chofu Kyan and his grandfather. Every morning Kyan was required to perform specific exercises by his grandfather, who had a very discerning eye and required nothing less than perfection. Being born into a rich family he was able to devote all of his time studying the martial arts and was sent to the best Okinawin Karate teachers available.
In those days, a Karate Sensei had only three or four Kata, therefore Master Kyan went to many teachers in hope of gaining a well rounded view of the art. Kyan's father was an official of the King, and because of this, Kyan was able to gain instruction from many of the great Teachers in Okinawa. Sokon Matsumura of Shuri was at that time the Karate Teacher of the King. Matsumura taught Master Kyan the Kata, "Seisan" and "Gojushiho". Kyan learned the most from Matsumora (Shorin-Ryu teacher of Tomari) including the kata "Chinto". Another great teacher of Tomari was Pechin Maeda. Kyan studied quite a while under Maeda Sensei and learned the Kata "Wansu". He learned the Kata, "Passai", under Pechin Oyadomari Kokan of Tomari. Pechin was a title, given to someone in employment of the King. The next teacher Kyan studied with was the small 4ft, 10 inches tall Yara of Chatan, a power packed dynamite of a man. Chatan Yara Sensei taught Kyan the longest and most beautiful Kata "Kusanku". Some times known as "Yara no Kusanku". His last teacher was Tokumine, who was reputed to be the best Bo, (Staff) man on Okinawa. Sensei Kyan traveled to the island of Yaeyama and studied the Bo and the Bo-Kata "Tokumine no Kon".
After completing his apprenticeship under six famous Okinawin Shorin-Ryu masters of the time, Kyan started to teach the art at his home. In the 1920's Kyan traveled to mainland Japan to promote the art. On his return he visited Taiwan on a martial arts exchange tour of Okinawin and Chinese Martial Arts. Being proficient in both arts, Kyan invented his own Kata "Ananku". In the late 1920's Kyan moved to the village of Kadena due to personal and financial problems. There he taught a small number of devoted students who were introduced by friends and city officials. One student, Zenryo Shimabukuro of Chatan was introduced by a school headmaster and accepted as a student. Zenryo Shimabukuro studied 10 years under the tutelage of Master Kyan until Kyan's death. Food was scarce during WWII and whatever food master Kyan obtained, he gave to the children. He felt it was his duty to take care of those who could not take care of themselves. In 1945 at the age of 75, grandmaster Kyan passed away from hunger.
Master Zenryo Shimabukuro:
Master Zenryo Shimabukuro, 10th Dan Red Belt, was the foremost disciple of Sensei Chotoku Kyan. Master Zenryo Shimabukuro, a baker by trade, was only 5 feet, 2 inches tall, but he was a very strong man. After completing 10 years of Karate as a private student under the great Master Chotoku Kyan, he began teaching. During World War II all karate instruction had ceased. With the end of the war he resumed active teaching.
Early in his career as a karate teacher Shimabukuro Sensei had no Dojo (training hall). All his instruction was conducted outside of his home, with a small group of students, one being his son Zenpo (presently Supreme Sensei of this style) and his nephew Zenji Shimabukuro. In 1962 he built his own Dojo and named it Seibukan. Seibukan radiates Sensei Shimabukuro’s philosophy of Karate. He was a highly respected member of his community and received many certificates of appreciation from city officials for his work for the betterment of the Okinawin people.
In 1964 he was awarded the highest rank in Karate by the All Okinawin Karate-do Federation, the 10th Dan Red Belt. Master Zenryo Shimabukuro developed Karate to a very high level in Okinawa. He was also one of the founding members of the Chubu Shorin Ryu, which was a very strong association. During the American occupation of Okinawa, he was persuaded to teach American service men stationed in Okinawa karate and thus spreading the art to the United States and other countries. A small man, but a giant in the world of Karate, Master Zenyro Shimabukuro died in 1969 at the age of 61 of appendicitis. Today his son Sensei Zenpo Shimabukuro continues where his father left off.
Hanshi Zenpo Shimabukuro (This probably needs updating):
Hanshi Zenpo Shimabukuro Hanshi, 10th Degree Black Belt and Supreme Instructor of the International Seibukan Shorin Ryu Karate Association, was born in Chatan Cho, Okinawa, on October 11, 1943. He was the fourth of five children of Master Zenryo Shimabukuro. His father was the student of Master Chotoku Kyan, and founded the Seibukan Shorin Ryu (Sukunaihayashi) School in July of 1962 in Jagaru, Okinawa.
Hanshi Zenpo Shimabukuro was born during a period in history when the island of Okinawa was preparing for W.W.II. One of his sisters died as the war was beginning and a younger brother died shortly after the war ended. During the course of the war, the Shimabukuro family lost everything they owned.
As the attack on Okinawa began, the family moved to the northern area of the island and did not return to the central part until after the war. Before W.W.II, Master Zenryo Shimabukuro was a baker and tatami maker by trade. For a short time after the war he worked for the United States military, then resumed his profession as a baker, and also as a city government official. Hanshi Zenpo Shimabukuro assisted his father with the teaching of Seibukan karate on US military bases and helped construct the Seibukan Dojo in Jagaru.
Hanshi Shimabukuro graduated from Futema High School in March of 1962, and in September 1963, upon request of his father, left to go to the United States to teach Sukunaihayashi karate-do to Seibukan students. He lived and taught karate in Philadelphia, Pa. and is noted in Okinawin karate history as one of the very first Okinawin Sensei to teach karate-do in America.
During his three and one-half year stay in the Pennsylvania area, Hanshi Zenpo Shimabukuro entered and won first place in kata competition at the Jhoon Rhee International Tournament, and finished second in kumite. He also won the Canadian National Championships Kumite competition in 1964, along with the Pennsylvania State Championships kumite division. Hanshi Shimabukuro not only was one of the first Okinawin/Japanese to teach in America but was the first to compete in the tournaments and win convincingly.
In 1966, Hanshi Shimabukuro returned to Okinawa to help his father with the Seibukan honbu dojo, and became Supreme Instructor over the Seibukan Karate-do System upon his father's death in October of 1969.
In 1975, the International Seibukan Karate-do Association was formed. Sensei Shimabukuro returned to America that year for a three month stay in the Mississippi area to meet with prominent United States Seibukan Sensei and begin the formalities of organizing International Seibukan. During this time Seibukan students in America, Japan, Malaysia, Germany, Poland, South America, the Middle East, and India realized the need for his regular visits to update and standardize their karate techniques and katas. Because of his ability to speak and write English, he used his skills to share with English speaking karate-ka around the world, his great knowledge of karate-do.
Since Hanshi Shimabukuro's initial visit to the United States, he has returned nine times, with the most recent being his demonstration at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. The demonstration was followed by a historic seminar conducted by Hanshi Shimabukuro and four other Hanshi from Okinawa, representing different Okinawin disciplines, to over 260 black belts. This trip and seminar laid the foundation for Okinawin karate-ka to work together for a common goal, to spread Okinawin Karate throughout the world.
Hanshi Shimabukuro is married, and now has a family of five children, three girls and two boys. He is very successful real estate developer, and along with his wife owns a restaurant and has various other business interests. He continues to teach karate and holds offices in three different Okinawin karate associations, and serves on the board of directors of the Nago Crippled Children's Home. Hanshi Shimabukuro gives freely of his time and resources to help his community. Also, he encourages those who lack strong bodies to practice the art of Karate-do.
Hanshi Shimabukuro has branch schools in sixteen foreign countries dedicated to the preservation of Seibukan Karate-do, and his goal is the continuation of the Association's international growth, and the expansion of his father's teachings.
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