Zen Nippon
Shorinji ryu Karatedo is a relatively small style compared to the "big
ones" such as Shotokan or Wado-ryu. The style is also known as Zen
Nippon Shorin-ji ryu Renshin-kan Karate-do in Japan. There are some 400
000 people practising the style in Japan and some more outside of
Japan. In USA there are
active shorinji ryu karatekas. In Finland, it is (at least from the
statistical point of view) the most popular style.
Shorinji ryu is known and famous for its spinning and jumping
techniques. Kicks are favoured in ratio 70%-30% to punches. The use of
footwork and evasions is similar to old schools of ju-jutsu (ko-ryu
ju-jutsu) and aikido; the main purpose is not to meet force with force
but to use body-evasions and footwork combined with kicks and punches used both in blocking and counter-attacking.
This approach (to fighting) is very different compared to many modern
styles of karatedo, yet truly effective. The stances are relatively
high and narrow compared to e.g. Shotokan. O'Sensei Kim (Hanshi)changed
the old style of Okinawan Shorinji Ryu to that which looks and feels a
lot like Shotokan. In kata and in kumite they look a lot alike.For more
info please Click Here.
I have been
involved in the Martial Arts for over 45 years. I have studied and
attained black belts in Shorinji-Ryu Karate, Ju-Jitsu, Kendo,and
Aiki-Jitsu. My Sensei (for the past 20 years), was the renowned and
famous O'Sensei Richard Kim (Hanshi) from San Fransisco, California.
(O'Sensei Passed away in November of 2001) Sensei Kim was the HIGHEST
ranking SENSEI outside of Japan and the Head of the Butokukai outside
of Japan. In Japan the head of this organization is the Emperor of
Japan. I was/have been a member of the Butokukai for the last 20 years.
As in all forms of life politics prevail, therefore I have opted to
leave the Butokukai. I now train with Shihan Gary Legacy (8th dan
Shorin Ryu) in Legacy Matsumura White Crane, as well as other high
ranking instructors in different disciplines. For more info please Click Here.
SHORINJI RYU KARATE
