The traditional Kata (forms) have been handed down from instructor to student. To quote Chibana Sensei, "Karate is teaching Kata (form) we have taken from forefathers without changing it at all." There are 15 traditional Katas and in Kobudo (Okinawan Art of Weaponry)there are 6 weapons with individual Katas for each weapon.

History

Karate, as we know it today, originated on the Ryukyu Archipelago, more commonly known

as the Island of Okinawa, (Birthplace of Karate), Japan. The major sites were the villages of

Naha, Shuri and Tomari.

Okinawan Karate dates to the sixth century when Bodhidharma's (Daruma), born in India, travels took him to China where he settled at a Shao-lin (Shorin in Japanese) Monastery. The introduction of ch-uan-fa ("fist way") occurred in the late 1300's with the expansion of trade and cultural exchanges between Okinawa and China. Evidence suggests that te ("hands"), in fact, was indigenous to Okinawa, (the birthplace of Karate), developing in the villages of Shuri, Naha and Tomari. Thus begins the lineage of Shorin-Ryu Kobayashi Karate from the Shuri-te system.

TAKAHARA, Peichin (1683-1760)

was revered as a great warrior and is attributed to have been the first to explain the aspects or principles of the word do ("way"). These principals are: 1) ijo, the way-compassion, humility and love. 2) katsu, the laws-complete understanding of all techniques and forms of karate, and 3) fo dedication seriousness of karate that must be understood not only in practice, but in actual combat. The collective translation is: "One's duty to himself and his fellow man." Most importantly, he was the first teacher of SAKUGAWA, Kanga "Tode" who was to become known as the "father of Okinawan karate."

KUSANKU, (AKA: Kung Syanag, Koso Kun)

is a Chinese diplomatic title. This emissary was a military official, who traveled to Okinawa, as documented in 1761. He instructed "Tode" after the death of TAKAHARA, SAKUGAWA's first instructor. KUSANKU's name is associated with several katas in the Shorin-Ryu styles.

SAKUGAWA, Kanga (1733-1815)

"Tode" meaning "karate," was a nickname given to him by his eminent instructor TAKAHARA. Known as the "father of Okinawan karate," SAKUGAWA traveled to China to study the fighting arts. During this time he is attributed for combining the Chinese art of ch-uan fa and the Okinawan art of tode ("Chinese hand or empty hand"), forming Okinawa-te ("Okinawa hand") which would become the foundation for Shuri-te. He passed down Kusanku, which is said to be one of Okinawa's oldest katas. Furthermore, he developed a bo kata, Sakugawa no Kon.

MATSUMURA, Sokon (1796-1893)

"Bushi" ("Warrior") it is acknowledged, began his training at an early age under the tutelage of SAKUGAWA, "Tode" and made several trips to China to further study the fighting arts. He is credited, by several sources, for making the most singular contribution, katas, to the development of Okinawan karate. The Shuri-te system of katas that are still practiced today in the Kobayashi Shorin-Ryu system are Naihanchi I-III, Passai Dai, Chinto & Gojushiho.

ITOSU, Yasutsune (1830-1915)

"Anko" ("Iron Horse") trained under MATSUMURA, Sokon and is credited for introducing the Pinans ("Peaceful Mind") I-V Katas to the Okinawan public schools in 1901. He is also credited for Kusanku Sho and Passai Sho. Some of the most important modern day instructors that trained directly under him were: CHIBANA, Chosin, FUNAKOSHI, Gichin, KYAN, Chotoku, MABUNI, Kenwa to name just a few.

CHIBANA, Chosin "Hanshi no Sogo" (1887-1969)

He was one of Itosu's top students. CHIBANA Sensei was the first to differentiate his system of karate from others by naming it Kobayashi-ryu ("young forest" style), in 1930, instead of Shuri-te or by his own name (e.g. Chibana-te) as had been done in the past within the Shorin-ryu systems. This decision was brought on by the growth and development of te, not only on Okinawa, but also with the foresight of international introduction. CHIBANA Sensei was one of the founding committee members of karate masters in 1936 that agreed karate should be translated as "empty hand." 

In addition, he was awarded the Fourth Order of Merit from the Emperor of Japan, in 1969, for his life long contributions to the martial arts. It is attributed by some sources that he passed down the Kusanku Dai and Gojushiho katas. CHIBANA Sensei's most influential student of the modern day is Hanshi JuDan NAKAZATO, Shugoro, to whom CHIBANA Sensei presented his personal black belt, which was a great honor and tribute to NAKAZATO Sensei's devotion and martial arts skills.

NAKAZATO, Shugoro "Hanshi JuDan" (1920 - 2016)

Hanshi JuDan NAKAZATO has spent most of his life in the martial arts and in 1967, after nearly twenty years of training, was awarded 9thDan by his eminent instructor CHIBANA Choshin. Upon CHIBANA Sensei's death in 1969, NAKAZATO Sensei became the president of the Okinawan Shorin-Ryu * ShorinKan Karate-do Kyokai and was promoted to 10thDan in 1980. NAKAZATO Sensei is one of the most influential living karate Grand Masters in Okinawa and travels many times a year to promote the traditional Okinawan Shorin-Ryu * ShorinKan Karate (Kobayashi-ryu) system. 

Hanshi JunDan headed the Okinawan karate delegation and was asked to give a special performance at the 1996 Olympic Games held in Atlanta, Georgia. Most recently in May 1999, he led an Okinawan seminar delegation of Grand Masters to the United States promoting The 1st Okinawa Traditional Karatedo & Kobudo World Tournament. In addition, Hanshi JuDan NAKAZATO is credited for the introduction of the Gorin kata. 

In August 2000, the Okinawan Prefecture Board of Education bestowed upon Hanshi NAKAZATO the title of "Kenmukei Bunkazi" - Intangible Cultural Asset. In addition, on November 4, 2007, the Japanese Prime Minister under the hand of the Emperor of Japan awarded Nakazato Sensei the "Order of the Rising Sun with Gold and Silver Rays" - Asahi Soukou sho. 

NAKAZATO, Minoru "Hanshi JuDan" (1952)

Minoru Nakazato is a highly respected figure in the world of Okinawan karate, specifically within the Shorin-ryu Shorinkan style. He holds the rank of 10th Dan Black Belt and serves as the chairman of the Okinawa Karate-Do Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Association. He is also an instructor with the International Okinawa Kobudo Federation. Minoru Nakazato is the son of the late Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato, a legendary figure in Okinawan karate. 

Minoru Nakazato's career in karate has been marked by significant achievements and recognition:

  • Succession from his Father:

    He took over the leadership of the Shorin-ryu Shorinkan Association following his father's retirement. 

  • Global Influence:

    He is known for traveling the world to teach seminars and share his knowledge of Shorin-ryu karate. 

  • Headquarters Dojo:

    He continues to teach at the Shorinkan headquarters dojo in Aja, Naha, Okinawa. 

  • Dedication to传承:

    He is dedicated to preserving and promoting the Shorin-ryu Shorinkan style, ensuring its continued legacy. 

  • Recognition:

    He has been recognized for his contributions to karate with various awards and titles, including being named an "intangible cultural asset holder" by Okinawa Prefecture. 

  • Continued Learning:

    He also trains in kobudo weapons, continuing his learning under the guidance of Seiro Tonaki's teacher's son, Masami Chinen

Bethea, Eddie "Kyoshi HachiDan" (1944)

Kyoshi Eddie Bethea, an 8th degree Black Belt in traditional Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Karate,  is a direct student of Hanshi Judan Shugoru Nakazato, and is recognized as one of the few first generation students in the United States. 

 

Kyoshi Bethea's martial arts career started June 14th,1966 in Okinawa, when he was in the Untited States Air Force.  In the 50 years that have passed since then, Mr.  Bethea has been recognized as one of the top martial artists in the world.

 

Mr. Bethea's interest in the Martial Arts was piqued years before he left to serve his country.  Relatives who had served in the military would talk about Judo after coming back from World War II.  On his first tour to Okinawa, Mr. Bethea took his first karate class and began training with Shugoro Nakazato Kyoshi, a man who would play a significant role in Bethea's life for the next four decades.  During his training with Sensei Nakazato, Bethea never trained with any ranks lower than brown belt.  This accelerated his learning, although he said that it was very punishing at times.  With a new found passion in life, Bethea found time to continue his training wherever he was stationed.  He was so dedicated to the sport, that on his military leaves, he would go back to Okinawa to study with Sensei Nakazato.  Although his time was limited, the visits and intense training sparked Bethea's interest even further to continue with the training on his own.

 

By January 1968, just two years after his first lesson, Bethea was promoted to Yondan, fourth degree black belt, and received his certification from his Sensei to be an instructor.  He currently holds the rank of eighth degree black belt and is a member and group president of the United States Karate Alliance Hall of Fame.

 

Kyoshi Bethea believes that it is his responsibility and his God-given mission to teach, as he has, the art of Shorin-Ryu karate for the remainder of his life.  He currently runs the Kokomo School of Self-Defense and continues to impact thousands with his teachings.  He has won 3 world grand championships and 10 division championships, and is still active in competitions today. 

 

We are honored to have Kyoshi Bethea accept us, and our school, into his lineage.  We know that our teachers and students will benefit greatly under such leadership.  If you would like to find out more about Kyoshi Bethea, visit his website: http://www.betheaskssd.com/biography.aspx

Michaels, Donnie "Kyoshi NanaDan"

Bio Coming soon

Guse, Jonathan "YonDan"

Bio Coming soon