Ryūkyū Kempo (琉球拳法) is a generic term often used to describe all forms of karate from the Ryūkyū Islands, and more specifically to refer to the particular styles associated with Taika Seiyu Oyata and, without any form of endorsement by Oyata or his organization, with George Dillman.
Oyata is credited with being the originator of the American use of the terms Ryukyu Kempo, tuite-jitsu and kyusho-jitsu.[1] The name Ryūkyū Kempo was adopted by a prominent martial arts personality, George Dillman, who taught his own version of Oyata’s style and promoted it heavily through seminars and publications. This prompted Oyata to change the name of his style to Ryu Te. The Ryu Te organization is international and includes a select cohort of long-time students known as "Oyata Shin Shu Ho," whom he considers the heirs of his art.
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Oyata’s Ryūkyū Kempo teaches a style of close-in striking and blocking as well as his own creations of a set of grappling, locking, and escape techniques (tuite-jitsu) and of advanced striking techniques (kyusho-jutsu). There are twelve open-hand kata and a number of traditional Okinawan kobudo weapons including the bō, chizikunbo, eku, jō, kama, sai, tanbo, tonfa, manji-sai, and nunti-bo. Practitioners also train in Bogu Kumite, a style of combat training in protective armor initiated by Oyata and his instructor Shigeru Nakamura.
Several branches of Ryūkyū Kempo have developed. These organizations are headed by members of the former Zenkoku Ryūkyū Kempo Karate Kobudo Rengo Kai. Their separate associations are loosely affiliated. They all have curricula based on that of Oyata. Seikichi Odo, heir to one of Oyata's instructors, Shigeru Nakamura, had his own organization that taught Ryūkyū Kenpo. Odo, at the request of Nakamura's son, added the 'Hon' to the name so as to differentiate the system he was teaching from that of Nakamura's son (now no longer teaching). Odo apparently died without naming a successor, his son Satsuma has taken the reins; and his organization continues to exist.
| The twelve original Ryūkyū Kempo kata are: |
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| Naihanchi Shodan |
| Naihanchi Nidan |
| Naihanchi Sandan |
| Tomari Seisan |
| Pinan Shodan |
| Pinan Nidan |
| Pinan Sandan |
| Pinan Yondan |
| Pinan Godan |
| Passai |
| Kusanku |
| Niseishi |
These twelve kata were to be taught to those in Nakamura's association; so everyone could compete equally in the kata divisions at tournaments. It did not preclude learning system specific kata in the individual dojo. Bogu Kumite, likewise, afforded equal opportunity for all at the tournaments.
Dillman's version of the art, which he calls Ryūkyū kempo tomari-te, has a large international following,[2] due in part to aggressive marketing of his books and seminars. The art is known for its emphasis on light-touch pressure-point knock-out.[3][4]
His art has generated a considerable amount of controversy, due in large part to Dillman's reluctance to scientifically prove the validity of his claims. The most contentious claims have been his promotion of alleged no-touch knock-outs, kiai knock-outs, and increasing technique effectiveness based on sound and color.
George Dillman continues to hold training camps in Deer Lake PA at the former Muhammed Ali training Camp, study under 10th degree black belts from Okinawa, give training seminars all over the world, and oversee Dillman Karate International consisting of over 85 schools worldwide.
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