Shuri-ryu

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Shuri-ryu karate is an eclectic martial arts system, developed by the martial arts pioneer Robert Trias, the first person to teach karate in the United States in 1945 in Phoenix, Arizona [1]. He opened the first karate school in the nation in 1946 [2] and formed the first karate organization, the United States Karate Association, in 1948. Other styles of karate related to the Trias-line are Shorei-Ryu, Shorei Goju Ryu, and Shorei Kai. The style of Shuri-ryu is taught and is especially prevalent in the United States, parts of Europe, and South America.

The roots of Shuri-Ryu are in Okinawa, especially in the Shuri-Te karate of Ankoh Itosu and Choki Motobu and the Hsing Yi Chuan of Tung Gee Hsing. Robert Trias, the style's founder, trained with Tung Gee Hsing, who had cross-trained with Choki Motobu earlier in the Okinawan village of Kume Mura. Tung Gee Hsing taught Trias Hsing Yi (the "Intellectual" Fist) and Shuri Karate Kempo. Later Trias studied with Hoy Yuan Ping, Gogen Yamaguchi, Roy Oshiro, Yasuhiro Konishi, Makoto Gima, and several other teachers. Konishi, a prominent student of both Choki Motobu and Gichin Funakoshi [3], awarded Trias with the 9th Dan in 1964[4]. Gima was a prominent student of Funakoshi and awarded Trias the 10th Dan in 1983 [5]. Both, Konishi and Gima helped Trias reconstruct the old Shuri-Te system of Okinawan karate with some modifications, hence a new name for the system was designated Shuri-Ryu. Shuri-Ryu also incorporated some Naha katas and methods.

1 Techniques
2 Kata
3 Ranks
4 Identifying features
5 Chief Instructors / Senior Sensei
6 Sources

[edit] Techniques

In addition to the punches, blocks, and kicks of karate, Shuri-ryu also incorporates joint locks, take-downs and throws, and kobudo (traditional weapons).

Shuri-ryu also has several short combinations. These include: 26 ippons (ippon kumite kata), which are performed to develop form and power; 10 taezus (taezu naru waza) which are performed to develop speed and fluidity; 30 kihons which are performed to develop fighting technique; and 8 sen-te motions (thousand hands techniques).

In addition, there are additional training exercises including form sparring (kata kumite), focus stance sparring (kime dachi kumite), free exercise (jiju undo), and free sparring (jiju kumite).

[edit] Kata

Shuri-ryu has three form exercies (Taikyoku Teach, Tarch, and Meach; otherwise called Taikyoku Shodan, Nidan, and Sandan), to prepare the student to learn the 15 core katas: Wansu, Anaku, Empi Sho (Wanshu), Sanchin, Naihanchi Sho (Tekki shodan), Naihanchi Ni (Tekki Nidan), Naihanchi San (Tekki Sandan), Bassai Dai, Go Pei Sho, Dan Enn Sho, Nan Dan Sho (Nijushiho / Niseishi), Kanku Sho (Kusanku Sho), and Ten Sho. Various weapon kata are also taught, including Tsue Sho No Kon (bo kata) and Tekatana (sai kata). Besides these forms, Sanchin and Tensho have alternate ways of performing the forms. Also, the senior sensei of Shuri-Ryu also teach several other forms such as Shudo So and Hakutsuru.

Many of the above kata emphasize the use of various animal forms, and the definitions are often reflective of this. For example, Wansu (Dragon Boy dumping form) uses the dragon fist, Anaku refers to a swallow pivoting on a beach, Empisho refers to the flying swallow, and Go Pei Sho refers to a tearing peacock. Some kata will emphasize multiple animal forms, such as Dan Enn Sho, where ten animals are emulated.

[edit] Ranks

The Shuri-ryu style, like most systems of the martial arts, uses a belt system to designate rank. The appropriate rank is awarded when the student demonstrates a certain level of proficiency when performing the required techniques, kata, etc. The ranking system as spelled out in "The Pinnacle of Karate" by Robert Trias is as follows:

White (hachikyu)
Yellow (schichikyu)
Blue (rokyu)
Green (gokyu)
Purple (yonkyu)
Brown (sankyu, nikyu, ikkyu)
Black (shodan through judan)

At each rank, the student must also pass a rigorous physical requirement before performing the technical requirements. Running one or two miles (up to green = 1 mile, purple and beyond = 2 miles), lifting 10 or 15 lb weights 75 times over the head (depending on gender), performing 500 front kicks, and various hand technique exercises are commonly used.

[edit] Identifying features

One of identifying features of Shuri-ryu is the use of the Shuri fist, in lieu of a standard fist. Instead of curling the index finger when making the fist, the index finger is laid flat, and the thumb pushes down on the finger, resulting in a tighter fist.

Another feature of Shuri-ryu is the position of the thumb of the knife edge strike or block. The thumb and forefinger form a "j" so that the hand may be used in a variety techniques (ridgehand, spearhand, open-hand throat strikes, etc.) without changing the thumb position.

The Dojo Kun used by the style of Shuri-ryu remains in its intact form, as originally penned by Trias:

I shall conduct myself in a manner which will reflect credit upon myself and society.

I shall be loyal to my school and to the art it teaches.

I shall be honest and exercise integrity with the purpose of developing cooperation and trust with my fellow karate-ka and my teachers.

I shall exercise restraint in the use of my karate knowledge, employing it only in fair competition or in defense of my life, my family, or my country.

[edit] Chief Instructors / Senior Sensei

Prior to 1989, Grandmaster Trias had designated 8 Chief Instructors of the Shuri-Ryu system to perpetuate Shuri-Ryu when he was gone. They were in no particular order: Roberta Trias-Kelly, John Pachivas, Robert Bowles, Ridgely Abele, Pete Rabino, Michael Awad, Dale Benson, and Dirk Mosig. Other individuals who were designated Chief Instructors at one time or another include: Victor Moore, Phillip Koeppel, and Randy Holman.

Traditionally, a karate system was owned by the family of the founder. Upon Robert Trias' death in 1989, his daughter, Dr. Roberta Trias-Kelly inherited the Shuri-Ryu system.

Another organization made up of 6 of the 8 chief instructors was founded by Robert Bowles, the International Shuri-Ryu Association. Since then, the International Shuri-Ryu Association under Robert Bowles has become the largest organization of Shuri-Ryu stylists and has appointed two more chief instructors and several more assistant chief instructors.

The instructors below should especially be sought out as sources of Shuri-Ryu knowledge.

The following practitioners are the chief instructors of the style: