Shorinji-ryu is based directly on the teachings of Chotoku Kyan (1870-1945), an Okinawan karate master who had a great influence on many of the Shorin styles. The style was named in 1954 by his student Joen Nakazato (1922-2010), who wanted to pass on Kyan's style in its entirety. Chotoku Kyan himself had several famous teachers from whom he learned both Shuri-te and Tomari-te, two major branches of the indigenous martial arts styles originating from the areas around Shuri, the old capital of the Ryukyu kingdom, and Tomari village. Among Kyan's teachers were Sokon Matsumura (c. 1798-1890), Kosaku Matsumora (1829-1898), Kokan Oyadamari (1831-1905), and Pechin Yara (1853-?). Hitoshi Oyakawa sensei, head of Okinawa Karate-do Shorinji-ryu Shinkokai, was a direct student of Joen Nakazato.
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Chotoku Kyan (1870-1945)
Chotoku Kyan was born in Shuri in 1870 into a high-ranking family. His father, Chofu Kyan, was an eleventh generation successor of the Ryukyuan king Sho Sei, and was a Sangikan member (Council of Three advisors) to Sho Tai, the last king of the Ryukyus. Chofu Kyan, a traditionalist who did not want the old ways to die out, had been opposed to the Japanese annexation of Okinawa in 1879, and it is believed that he encouraged Chotoku to study karate because it was a part of Okinawan culture. Chofu Kyan also thought that Chotoku, who was small and thin as a child, should learn karate to protect himself and improve his physical stature.
Chotoku Kyan was taught ti (an old term for the martial arts of Okinawa) by his father when he was fifteen. Then, when Chotoku Kyan was sixteen, his father entrusted his son's karate education to his own teacher, Sokon Matsumura, and other famous teachers. Kyan sensei studied with Sokon Matsumura for two years. Later, after returning to Okinawa from Tokyo (probably at age twenty), he continued his study of ti with Kokan Oyadamari, Kosaku Matsumora, and Anko Itosu. Chotoku Kyan trained hard day after day to become strong and to develop methods in which a small person could defend against a larger opponent's attack. By the age of thirty, Kyan sensei was famous as an expert in both Shuri-te and Tomari-te.
Chotoku Kyan taught seven karate kata and one weapons kata (kun). These kata and the masters he learned them from are listed below.
Chotoku Kyan was taught ti (an old term for the martial arts of Okinawa) by his father when he was fifteen. Then, when Chotoku Kyan was sixteen, his father entrusted his son's karate education to his own teacher, Sokon Matsumura, and other famous teachers. Kyan sensei studied with Sokon Matsumura for two years. Later, after returning to Okinawa from Tokyo (probably at age twenty), he continued his study of ti with Kokan Oyadamari, Kosaku Matsumora, and Anko Itosu. Chotoku Kyan trained hard day after day to become strong and to develop methods in which a small person could defend against a larger opponent's attack. By the age of thirty, Kyan sensei was famous as an expert in both Shuri-te and Tomari-te.
Chotoku Kyan taught seven karate kata and one weapons kata (kun). These kata and the masters he learned them from are listed below.
- Ananku – from a Taiwanese master
- Seisan – from Sokon Matsumura
- Wanshu – from Pechin Maeda
- Passai – from Kokan Oyadamari
- Gojushiho – from Sokon Matsumura
- Chinto – from Kosaku Matsumora
- Kusanku – from Rishin Pechin Yara (10th generation in the line of Chatan Yara)
- Tokumine no Kun – from Pechin Tokumine
