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A Brief History of Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate
Okinawa sits off the coast of
Japan, in the Pacific Ocean. Which has made it ideal as a trading station between the countries of the Far East for many centuries.
The Chinese monks had devised a martial art, known as “ Gung-Fu” to protect them from the many highway robbers.
This art was taught to Okinawan traders traveling to China, and brought back to Okinawa. The monks originally devising this
martial art were from the Shorin or Shaolin in Chinese terminology, in Shorinji. While the Chinese were the pioneers of the
art, it was the Okinawan s’ that systemized and developed Karate.
In the sixteenth century, King Hashi, of the Okinawan-Sho-Dynasty,
united the islands of the Ryu-Kyu`s of which Okinawa is the largest, into a single kingdom. To insure his rule, he had all
the weapons in the kingdom confiscated. In the seventeenth century, Okinawa was again conquered by the Satsuma clan of Kyushu,
Japan, and once again all weapons were banned and confiscated. As a result of these restrictions, methods were also devised
from simple farm tools, hence the Bo, Kama, Sai, Tunfa, and the Nunchucku`s. Some of these weapons were designed to combat
the Samurai’s sword.
In the early nineteenth century a Chinese monk named
Gushiken came to Okinawa, bringing with him a style of Te called Kingai. A student of his named Higashiona traveled to China
and returned to Naha, settling down in his late forties, bringing with him a great knowledge of Kingai. This he combined with
Okinawan Te to form a new style.
At this time, Okinawan Karate was split into two distinct
styles, known as “ Naha-Te” and “ Shuri-Te “. Shuri-Te was the old strain, Shorin-Ryu and Naha-Te
was the new style. One of the Masters of the old strain, was Ginchin Funakoshi, Known in karate circles as the father of modern
day karate. One of Master Funakoshi`s students, was Hohan Soken, who up until his death in the early 1970`s at the age of
110, was the 10th degree of Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Matsumura Karate, of which Kobukan is a branch of. The new style,
known as Naha-te, evolved into what is known today as Gojo-Ryu.
Presently, there are four major styles of karate on
the island of Okinawa. They are Shorin-Ryu, Gojo-Ryu, Ishin-Ryu, and Uechi-Ryu, with variations of these to include Okinawan
Kenpo, Tozen-Ryu, and others.
After the Japanese began rule of the island in about
1609, training was centered on a mastery of basics, stances, body movement, and elementary attacks and defenses, which were
polished by a constant practice of Kata. There was no free sparring or the teaching of techniques not meant of use in combat,
and instruction was inevitably carried out secretly, usually at night. It wasn’t until the latter 1800`s that karate
adopts open demonstration of their methods and began to catalog into different styles.
A poem written in 1663 by an eminent Okinawan scholar,
Teijunsoku, reads:
No matter how you may excel in the art of Te,
And in your scholastic endeavors,
Nothing is more important than your behavior
And your humanity as observed in daily life.
As was
previously stated, a student of Master Funikoshi was Hohan Soken, who also studied under Master Mastumura, the founder of
Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Mastumura style of Karate. Master Soken took the title of Grandmaster, 10th Dan, after the
death of master Mastumura. There were several 8th degrees under Master Soken, Yuichi Kuda, Fusei Kesei, and Futema
were some of them. Master Kuda and Kesei studied together through the rank of 8th Dan. In 1975, Master Soken chose
Master Kesei to assume the title of Grandmaster after his death and promoted him to 9th Dan. After Master Kesei
was chosen, Master Kuda felt that he could go no further, and felt that the Mastumura style, as taught, lacked in some vital
areas. In 1977, he requested and was granted permission to break away from Mastumura and form his own Shorin-Ryu style, Kobukan.
Kobukan is a family name from Master Kuda`s grandfather. The Pinan katas are original, as is the Naihanchi, of which two Naihanchi
katas were dropped, the Paisai`s, Kusanku, Gojushiho, Chinto, and Rohai. Indigenous to Kobukan are the Niisedi`s, Kobudi,
and some weapons Kata. Also incorporated into our style were some street fighting techniques and defenses against the same.
Master Kuda`s son, Tomasada, had been the Okinawan Grand National Champion for 14 consecutive years. Also Master Futenma,
an 8th Dan broke away from Matsumura with Master Kuda, and is Master Kuda`s Chief Instructor.
Sensei Horn studied under Master Kuda from 1974 to 1977, obtaining
the rank of 2nd Dan, and the title of Supreme Instructor. Sensei Horn is the only American and the only person
under the rank of 5th Dan to hold this title in the Kobukan style. He was awarded the title by Grandmaster Soken
and Master Kuda, and in attendance for the ceremony were Masters Kesei, Matsumura (grandson of the original Mastumura), and
Master Nagamine. After returning to the United States Sensei Horn studied under Master Frank Van Lenten and obtained the rank
of 3rd Dan. Master Van Lenten is an 8th Dan in Shorin-Ryu Karate and is the Grandmaster and founder
of Goshin-Do Karate-Do Kyokai. Chief Instructor Horn received her training through the grade of 2 Kyu under Master Kuda, and
the rank of 2nd Dan under Sensei Horn. The last year in Okinawa, Sensei and Chief Instructor Horn moved into the
house with Master and Mrs. Kuda to further understand Okinawan ways and study Shorin-Ryu more effectively. Sensei Horn is
the highest-ranking Black Belt in the United States in the Shorin-Ryu discipline of Kobukan.
Sensei Horn had obtained the rank of 4th Dan / Shihan, in the early
1990`s. His Son, Shane Horn has kept up practice in Kobukan style and in the Aikido That Sensei Horn had passed to us all.
Sensei Horn passed away in late 1999. The lineage of Black Belts that he left behind I can tell you they worked hard for it.
Sensei Horn was very determined to bring out the best Karateka in each one of us. I would like to name the Black Belts that
I know of that have been taught in the Kobukan style, Shane Horn AZ, Kelly Carico FL, Stacey Allen VA, BJ Onyx SC, Frank Wright
KS, John Briggs KS, Kathy Briggs KS, Margie Briggs KS, Alicia Prather WA, Audiles Pelot Puerto Rico, Tammy Marsh KS, Super
granny KS, Vernon Wages, Jamie Wages KS. Michael Cofer KS.
Sensei Marsh has continued the tradition for more than 15 years
now in Leavenworth KS. And has promoted many Black Belts to her credit. Dr. Mary Mcnaw, Joseph Haas, Jason Wiley,
Vernon
Wages, Jamie Wages and Kristy Krum to name a few. Before Sensei Horns passing he was able to promote Tammy Marsh, Audiles
Pelot and Michael Cofer to San Dan.3rd degree. Along with a 2nd degree in Tomiki-Ryu Aikido.
This is how our style has been preserved and handed down through
the centuries and its heritage is rich and honorable, and should be taught and learned with pride, honor, and tradition. It
is physically, morally, and mentally demanding, but can and does provide an inner peace known only to those who come to understand
and accomplish what is required.
The fusing of the mind and body in Karate is indescribably beautiful and spiritual. The
flow of the mind, when totally absorbed during Kata practice, brings a person into total contact with the essence and core
of ones being. One is humbled and uplifted by the experience of this level of knowledge.
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