Shōrin-ryū Shidōkan

Shōrin-ryū Shidōkan

Shidō-kan logo

Shidō-kan logo
Date founded 1948
Country of origin Japan Okinawa, Japan
Founder Katsuya Miyahira
Arts taught Karate
Ancestor schools Shorin-ryū

Shorin-ryu Shidokan (小林流志道館 Shōrin-ryū Shidōkan) is the main branch of Shorin-ryū style of Okinawan karate, started by Katsuya Miyahira, Hanshi 10th Dan.

It should not be confused with the newer Japanese Shidōkan (世界空手道連盟士道館 World Karate Association Shidōkan), which was founded by Yoshiji Soeno in 1981, another style of knockdown karate. Okinawan Shidokan (志道館) precedes Japanese Shidokan (士道館) by 33 years.

History

Origin of Shidō-kan

In October 1948, Katsuya Miyahira opened his first karate dojo in Kanehisa, Nishihara, Okinawa,[1] after receiving his Shihan (4th rank) Certificate from Chōshin Chibana.[2] Miyahira chose to name his dojo Shidō-kan (志道館, "House of the Way of the Warrior").[3] "Shidō" was taken from the Analects by Confucius, chapter seven, verse six in book four of the twenty volume collection; which reads:

Determine in your heart to forever follow the way.
Stay close to the sun of virtue and do not stray.
Trust in the power of benevolence for support.
Take pleasure from these abilities.

Creation of Shorin-ryū Shidō-kan

Upon Chibana's death in 1969, Chibana's most senior student, Katsuya Miyahira, received the hanko (official seals of the organization) and was voted president of the Okinawa Shorin-ryū Karate-dō Association.[1] Chibana most senior students split the style of Shorin-ryū karate into various schools, Miyahira heading the main branch which is now called Shidō-kan (志道館) style, based upon the name of Miyahira's dojo.[2]

Spread

Argentina: Shoei Miyazato,[4] moved to Argentina in 1959. Miyazato began teaching Shidō-kan in his new hometown, Cordoba.[5] In the early 1990s, Miyazato left Shidō-kan to head his own style of karate. In 1996 Shidō-kan was reestablished by Jorge Garzón, 7th Dan, Shorin Ryu .[6] who has a dojo in La Plata. Garzón is a student of Takeshi Miyagi, a 9th Dan and former student of Miyazato who previously lived in Argentina, but currently resides and has a dojo in Tokyo.[7]

Philippine Islands: In 1963, Miyahira received a request to supply a Shorin-ryū instructor to the Philippine Islands. Seikichi Iha, a student of Miyahira's, was selected, and spent 11 months in Manila at the dojo of Latino Gonzalez.[8][9]

United States: In 1967, Iha went to Los Angeles, California, USA to teach at the American-Okinawan Club. After 7 months, Iha opened the Shureikan Dojo on Olympic Blvd with two other 7th Dan black belts. A year later, Iha started his own dojo on West Pico Blvd and named it Shidokan Karate Dojo. Iha moved to Lansing, Michigan in April 1975, and began teaching at the Original Okinawa Karate Dojo. Iha is currently ranked Hanshi, 10th Dan and continues to teach.[8]

Guam: In 1969, Iha and Seigi Shiroma traveled to Guam. Shiroma stayed there and opened a dojo. Shiroma is currently ranked Hanshi,10th Dan and continues to teach.[2]

Germany: Shidō-kan Germany is headed by Joachim Laupp, Kyoshi 8th Dan, who teaches in Düsseldorf and Trier.[10] Students of him run Dojos in Marburg, Saarburg, Chemnitz, Dernbach and Berlin.

Swiss: Students of Joachim Laupp run Dojos in Zürich and Luzern.

Greece: Vasillios Raptopoulos, a Student of Joachim Laupp opened up a Dojo in Athens in 2009.

Australia: Shidō-kan Australia is headed by Alberto Presincula, 8th Dan. He has a dojo in Albion, Victoria, and is not a student of Iha.[11] He was also under Latino H. Gonzalez, 9th Dan (Father of Philippine Karate) affiliated and recognized by "Okinawa Shorin Ryu Karate-do Kyokai" headed by Katsuya Miyahira, 10th Dan and founder of the Shido-Kan Shorin Ryu. He had taught many U.S. Navy and U.S. Marines at Subic Bay, Naval Base and San Miguel, Naval Communication Base, Philippines. He promoted many Dan rank from his Dojo (United Karatedo Association) during his time in the Philippines, one notable student in 1979 and promoted to 3rd Dan was Cris A. Bato, a former U.S. Marine Sergeant and Close Combat Instructor.[12]

Brazil: In August 1990, Kazunori Yonamine, began teaching Shidō-kan in the city of São Vicente, Brazil. In subsequent years, Yonamine's students spread Shidō-kan throughout Brazil to the cities of Piracicaba, São Paulo, Santos and Itajubá. Today there are up to 17 Shidō-kan dojos across these towns. Yonamine is currently a 9th Dan.[13]

Canada: Roy Paul, 6th Dan, is the head of Shidō-kan in Canada. He is a student of Iha and has a dojo in Guelph, Ontario.[11][14] Shidō-kan Canada celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2006.[15] There are also dojo in London, Ontario and Waterloo, Ontario.[16][17]

France: Shidō-kan in France is headed by Dick Kevork, 7th Dan, Kyoshi. He began teaching Shidō-kan in Marseilles in September 1988.[18]

Israel: Amit Michaeli, 5th Dan, has a dojo in Jerusalem, Israel. He is a student of Paul Snader, 7th Dan,[19] who trains in New Jersey under Iha.[20]

Russia: Dmitry Uritsky, 2nd Dan, has a dojo in Moscow, Russia. He is also a student of Snader.[21]

Shidō-kan today

Today, Shidō-kan is one of the largest styles of karate in Okinawa, with over 25 dojo in the prefecture.[22] Within Okinawa, Shidō-kan is well known for its success in the Okinawan Bare Knuckle karate tournaments, largely due to Koichi Nakasone.[23]

Basic techniques

Punches and strikes

Kicks

Blocks

Stances

Kata

Main article: Karate kata

The kata practiced in Shidō-kan varies by dojo. The following series of kata are common to all: Kihon, Naihanchi, Pinan, Passai, Kusanku, Chinto, Gojushiho, and Teisho (created by Miyahira). Additionally, some schools practice Jion and Koryu Passai (Old Style Passai).

See also

References

External links

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