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Hi I am currently working on a project for my japanese class and me and my friend decided to do japanese martial arts, we got most of our stuff down except for the info and history of Shorei-Ryu(one of the original okinawan karate style) so can anyone tell me about Shorei-Ryu??? thanks
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Nope, but I can add on to your project by referring you to "The Book Of 5 Rings". It's about the legendary swordsman Miyamoto Mushashi.
In the early days of Japan, (somewhere around 12th century) Swords were outlawed unless you were employed by the ruling class or one of the warlords of Japan. Thus Karate (unarmed combat) was developed for self defense. The moves were hidden in dances called Kata................................................................................................ .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... .................................................................................................... ........... -
Thanks for the info, I appreciate it, I odn't think I have enough time to find that book and like I said I just need the shorei-ryu history and what it's about, but thanks anyway.Originally posted by HardballComment
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Shorei-Ryu is also not an original okinawan karate. It is a decendant of Naha Te. The original Okinawan karates were known as shuri-te, Naha-te, and Tomari-Te, named after the cities from which they spawned.
This last quote explains that much of the history you read will be somewhat fabricated (no records or facts to back it up) to make the art appear much older than it is. The two links from oldpinetree make use of as much history as they could. So remember ALL arts try to appear to be much older than they truly are. They all have their roots in ancient times, but that doesnt mean that it was the art that it is today. If you go back far enough, almost all fighting arts originated in India, still that doesnt mean that western boxing is 5000 years old. Hope this helpsIn the mid-1800’s Shorei-Ryu Karate emerged to differentiate itself as one of the major styles that had come into existence. Shorei-Ryu was developed by Kanryo Higashionna. Higashionna studied some of the Naha-te techniques of Okinawa and then moved to China. There, in the Foochow Province, He studied for 20 years under Liu Liu Ko. But it was not until Higashionna came back to Okinawa that he began to develop the Shorei-Ryu system. The Shorei-Ryu system can be traced (though with some difficulty due to lack of records) to the Sho Dynasty in the 1400’s. the main method of tracing it is through some of the Shorei kata, which are indeed very, very old.Comment
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A Little More Info On Shorei Ryu
The Shorei Ryu style of Karate originated in Okinawa. Originally, there were two schools of Karate in Okinawa: Naha-te and Shuri-te. Due to the immense trading between China and Okinawa, merchant marines and seamen brought with them styles from mainland China. Primarily two styles: To-de and Shorinji-Kempo. The founder of Shorinji-Kempo was said to have been Daruma himself (Bodhidharma, the founder of Zen Buddhism). Sharing the knowledge and adding, refining, and improving techniques led to the present day styles we know as Shorei-ryu and Shorin Ryu.
The techniques of both schools offered their advantages. For example, Master Funakoshi states that Shorei teaches a more effective form of self-defense, while Shorin’s advantage was mobility.
The Shorei system is based on the five fundamental animal strengths: the dragon for overall body strength, the tiger for bone strength, the leopard for inner and outer strength, the snake for breathing strength, and the crane for the all important strength of the spirit.
Based on a strong foundation of basic principles and techniques, Shorei Ryu is well known for vast depth of skills including strong stances, punches, kicks, strikes, clawing, joint locks, submissions, sweeps, throws, and down fighting. In addition, there are 17 basic stances, 47 rules for attack methods, and 15 Kata.
Karate techniques of present day have adopted the best qualities of both schools. Of the numerous authentic styles being taught in the United States, half of the recognized World Champions are of the Okinawan systems.Comment
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Thank you HtTKar and rruffian for the info you've guys have been a big help, thanks again.Comment
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