A Brief History of Karate

The seeds of the development of karate were first sown in ancient China, around 483 AD when,

Daruma Tashi developed physical exercise forms which were practiced by Buddhist monks at the

Shaolin Temple. The discipline of the physical exercises contributed to the development of control

of the body, mind and soul.

In 1372, of official relationships began between the emperor of China and the leaders of Okinawa,

formerly called the Ryu Kyu Islands. In 1392 thirty-six families were sent to Kume Village,

Okinawa, for a cultural exchange. They introduced formal martial arts training called .To-De. to the

hierarchy of the Okinawans. For the next 200 years these fighting techniques developed at the

Shaolin Temple in China were taught to the nobility, and passed down from the family head to the

oldest son or number one student. It eventually became known to common people as a means of

protection against the Japanese Samurai.

In 1429 Okinawa was united under the leadership of Sho Hashi, the first King of Okinawa. His rule

produced the beginning of a flourishing era. In 1477, Sho Hashi’s rule ended and the Sho Shin

dynasty began. Sho Shin placed a ban on all bladed weapons. This action produced the necessity for

unarmed defenses. To-De became an essential part of the lifestyle of the nobility.

In 1609 the Satsuma clan of southern mainland Japan invaded Okinawa. Bitterness toward the new

Japanese control inspired the widespread use of To De-commonly referred to as "Te"-throughout the

islands. Three styles, Shuri-Te, Naha-Te and Tomarie-Te, were named for the cities from which

they originated. From these districts many styles developed, yet all had two common factors: the use

of karate was for survival and consequences were permanent.

Okinawans trained in secret in the mountains; punching trees, kicking rocks, climbing and running.

They also practiced breathing techniques and meditation. Through incredible hard work and

dedication, karate practitioners became well trained fighters.

While the Japanese control lasted several hundred years, Te was a necessity to the survival of the

oppressed Okinawans. In addition, the art of Kobudo, or weapons, was developing. Simple farming

and fishing tools became a means of protection.

After Japanese dominance relaxed, the need for self-protection was lessened and a competitive race

for superiority between cities and styles of Te took place. In the early 1900s

Gichin Funakoshi introduced Shuri-Te karate to mainland Japan. What began as a secret means of

self-preservation is now practiced worldwide as a discipline and sport. In 1936 instructors agreed to

refer to the art as Karate, or empty hand.

Shorin-Ryu Karate developed from the Shuri-Te lineage. It is known for its short stances and fast

hand movements. There are four styles of Shorin-Ryu Karate: Kobayashi-Ryu (small forest),

Matsubayashi-Ryu (pine forest), Shobayashi-Ryu (young forest) and Matsumura Seito.

Choshin Chibana (1887-1969) was the creator of Kobayashi-Ryu, the style of Shorin Ryu taught at

East Coast Karate. Chibana’s number one student and successor as Grand Master is Shugoro

Nakazato.

There are many styles of karate in the world today, each with its own Grand Master. Shorin-Ryu

Karate is the original karate system. Shorin means .Shaolin., or pine forest; and Ryu means The

Way.’ Thus, Shorin-Ryu means ’The Way of the Shaolin or pine forest way. Shorin Ryu traces its

lineage to Shaolin Temple in Fukien Province in China. It is from Shorin Ryu that all other styles

originated.