Kyudōkan logo |
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| Shōrin-ryū Kyudōkan | |
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| Date founded | 1947 |
| Country of origin | Okinawa, Japan |
| Founder | Yuchoku Higa |
| Current head | Minoru Higa |
| Arts taught | Karate |
| Ancestor schools | Kobayashi Shorin-ryū |
| Official Site | Kyudokan |
The Okinawa Shōrin-ryū Karate-dō Kyudōkan Association (沖縄小林流空手道究道館連合会) is one of the seven branches of Kobayashi Shōrin-ryū style of Okinawan karate, developed by Yuchoku Higa, Hanshi 10th Dan.
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Yuchoku Higa started learning karate at the age of 16 under the Shuri-te Sensei Jiro Shiroma. After Sensei Shiroma's death in 1933, Sensei Yuchoku Higa trained for one year alone. He then became a student of Jinnan Shinzato and Seiei Miyahira. He learnt Naha-te from Master Shinzato, who was a main pupil of Master Chojun Miyagi. And Master Higa learnt punching techniques from Master Seiei Miyahira who was a specialist in punching techniques. This helped Master Higa to become an expert in punching techniques.
In 1941 Master Higa started teaching Karate and at the same time he became a student of famous Shōrin-ryū Master Chosin Chibana, who was the most talented student of Ankō Itosu. In a short time Master Higa became the best student of Chibana and he was the first one who received the 9th Dan from Chibana. (Chibana Sensei awarded 9th Dans to only five students before his death).
In 1947 he inaugurated the Kyudokan Karate Dojo and applied himself to perfecting and developing everything that he had learnt from his masters, and especially from Chōshin Chibana, with whom he continued to practice.
In 1961 the first Shorinryu Karate-do Association of Okinawa was formed. It was presided over by Master Chibana and Yuchoku Higa was assigned the role of vice-president.
During that period he alternated his political affairs with his role as a karate master. As well as having a role in the Okinawa House of Representatives, as either president or member, on eight successive occasions, he was also president of the Okinawa Federation of Karate and Kobudo, chief adviser for the Okinawa Association of Masters of Karate-do etc.
In 1976 he received his Hanshi 10th Dan, the highest rank to which a master can aspire.
By 2008, the Kyudokan School had branches in 23 countries and had more than 10,000 students around the world. It has gained international popularity since branches of the school were established by his descendants particularly in South America and Europe by Kyoshi, Benito Higa and Hanshi, Oscar Higa respectively.
Master Minoru Higa (10th Dan) is the current President (Kaichou) and Soke of World Okinawan Shorin Ryu Kyudokan Karate-Do Federation.
Master Oscar Higa (9th Dan) is the World Technical Director of World Okinawan Shorin Ryu Kyudokan Karate-Do Federation and Representative for the whole Europe.
Below is a list of all kata practiced in Kyudokan schools.
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