Shorin Ryu Karate

Shorin Ryu One is one of the two original styles of Karate proliferating Japan from Okinawa, the actual birthplace of Japanese martial arts. It is also considered one of the most influential styles throughout history, having a tremendous impact over the majority of the other Karate styles.

Being seafaring people, Okinawans traveled throughout Asia and brought back with them, combat techniques of fighting with the hands and feet from the eastern lands. They took these techniques, refined them into their own brand of the martial arts over the years. Barehand self defense techniques were of special interest to the people of Okinawa because of Japan's law of banishment of all weapons in the region at the time.

The style eventually branched out into four other main types of Karate, Shobayashi Ryu, Kobayashi Ryu, Matsumora, and Matsubayashi Ryu. All four styles still reflect the Shorin way and the main style of Shorin Ryu flourished throughout the world. Practitioners of the style are proficient in kicks, punches, particular weapons, kata, sparring, and self defense. The system also follows belt ranking from white through black belt.