Kobayashi Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Karate of New York

Okinawa, Japan is the birthplace of karate-do and kobudo. The following is a compilation of information from different sources. This brief detail will cover the evolution of Kobayashi Shorin Ryu and Okinawan Kobudo. Historians believe the art of Okinawa Te, developed independently from any other Asian combat system. It is also believed that this system of unarmed combat can be traced back over 1000 years. Okinawans who were not considered to be of the nobility class, were often poor so weapons were scarce. In order to maintain control and prevent armed resistance,warlords passed laws forbidding possession of any weapons. Each warlord battled for supremacy of the island. As a result, these circumstances rendered a strong incentive for the evolution of unarmed combat.

By the mid 1340's, Okinawa entered into a trade relationship with China. The trade and political friendship allowed the Okinawan people to observe many aspects of China, one of these were the Chinese boxing systems. Furthermore, by the late 1300's, in a tributary relationship, 36 Chinese families and businessmen settled on Okinawa. These families brought with them a variety of skills, including Chinese martial arts.

Through the 1400's, the island experienced great turmoil. Initially, the island was unified by King Sho Hashi in 1429. At this time the Okinawan's were still able to posses weapons. However in 1470, King Sho Hashi killed off all members of the former dynasty. This made him and his heirs the legitimate kings of Okinawa. Soon all arms were banned on the island, caused by fear that the reign might be over thrown. As a result, the emphasis on the unarmed fighting arts progressed. The main villages of Okinawa are credited with the main styles that emerged from Okinawa Te. From the village of Shuri, came Shuri Te. From the village of Naha, came Naha Te, and from the village of Tomari, came Tomari Te.

Beside empty hand combat, the Okinawan's also began the practice of Kobudo (weapons). Because of King Sho Hashi's ban on the traditional weapons, sword and spear, new weapons systems developed. Some of these new weapon systems developed from items and tools that were perceived to have no effective combat use. Some commonly known weapons include: Bo (six foot staff), the Eku (six foot oar), the Kama (grass or cain sickle), the Tonfa (utility handle), and the Nunchaku (horse bit, and even rice flail). However, because the Okinawan's were not restrained by innovation and imagination in order to survive, it is conceivable that these particular weapons might not have been the only weapons practiced. In fact the Zen Okinawan Kobudo Renmei (Matayoshi Kobudo), makes use of the Kuwa (Japanese Hoe), the Timbei and Rochin (Shield and dagger), as well as the Nunti (Japanese spear).

These styles of unarmed and armed combat were practiced in secrecy for years. Differences among Te styles show the characteristics of various Chinese styles. Shuri-Te seems to utilize the external system of Shaolin boxing. While Naha-Te incorporates the use of internal Taoist techniques. Tomari-Te appears to be a mix of both the internal and external fighting systems. These variations alone, are responsible for the evolution of the different systems into the distinct martial art styles they are today.
In 1609, Okinawa was invaded by the Japanese Satsuma Samurai clan, for refusing to recognize Japan's newest Shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu. As a result, the Shogunate banned the Okinawa people from carrying weapons. This increased the importance of further developing the martial arts as a means of survival.

The Japanese banned,during this period, all trade relationships with other countries. The Japanese, however, allowed Okinawa to continue trade with China. Although Kusanku is often believed to be a many different Chinese officers, he is often referred to as one person. It is noted by many that Tode Sakugawa began studying under a "Kusanku-sensei". The teachings of Kusanku enabled Sakugawa to combine the essence of both Te and Chinese Boxing principles. These principles form the basis of modern day Shorin Ryu.

"Tode" meaning "karate," was a nickname given to him by his instructor TAKAHARA. Known as the "father of Okinawan karate," SAKUGAWA traveled to China to study the fighting arts. During this time he is attributed with combining the Chinese art of ch’uan fa and the Okinawan art of tode "Chinese hand or empty hand", forming Okinawa-te "Okinawa hand" which would become the foundation for Shuri-te. He passed down the "Kusanku" kata, which is said to be one of Okinawa’s oldest katas. Furthermore, he developed a bo kata, "Sakugawa no Kon".

Sokon "Bushi" Matsumura is revered as a great warrior and is attributed to have been the first to explain the aspects or principles of the word do "way". These principals are: 1) ijo, the way;compassion, humility and love. 2) katsu, the laws-complete understanding of all techniques and forms of karate, and 3) application of karate and how it must be understood not only in practice, but in actual combat. This collective translation is: "One’s duty to himself and his fellow man." Most importantly, he was the greatest student of SAKUGAWA, Kanga "Tode". "Bushi" is also regarded as being the first to combine Chinese Shaolin boxing with Okinawan "Tode"

Chosin Chibana was one of Itosu’s top students. Chibana Sensei in 1930 decided to differentiate his system of karate from others by naming it Kobayashi-ryu "young forest" style.This decision was brought on by the growth and development of martial arts, not only on Okinawa, but also in Japan. Chibana Sensei was one of the committee members, comprising of karate masters, who in 1936 agreed "karate" should be translated as "empty hand." In addition, he was awarded the Fourth Order of Merit from the Emperor of Japan, in 1969, for his life long contributions to the martial arts. Some sources attribute Chibana Sensei with passing down the Kusanku Dai and Gojushiho katas. Chibana Sensei’s most influential student today is Nakazato Shugoro Sensei.Chibana Sensei presented his personal black belt to Nakazato Sensei. This was a great honor and tribute to Nakazato Sensei for his devotion and martial arts skills.

Hanshi JuDan Nakazato has spent most of his life in the martial arts and in 1967, after nearly twenty years of training, was awarded 9th Dan by his instructor Chibana Choshin. Upon Chibana Sensei’s death in 1969, Nakazato Sensei became the president of the "Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Shorin Kan Karate-do Kyokai" and was promoted to 10th Dan in 1980. Nakazato Sensei is one of the most influential karate grand masters in Okinawa. Hanshi JunDan headed the Okinawan karate delegation and was asked to give a special performance at the 1996 Olympic Games held in Atlanta, Georgia. More recently in May 1999, he led an Okinawan seminar delegation of Grand Masters to the United States promoting The 1st Okinawa Traditional Karatedo & Kobudo World Tournament. In addition, Hanshi JuDan Nakazato is credited with the introduction of the Gorin kata. In August 2000, the Okinawan Prefecture Board of Education bestowed upon Hanshi Nakazato the title of "Kenmukei Bunkazi" - Intangible Cultural Asset.

Kyoshi Nanadan Nabil Noujaim, 7th dan-Karate, 5th dan-Kobudo, is one of Hanshi Judan Nakazato Sensei’s senior students in the U.S.A. Kyoshi Noujaim has been a student of Shorin-Ryu ShorinKan Karate since 1972 and is the head instructor of Noujaim’s Shorin-Ryu Karate in El Centro, CA., U.S.A. His students have shibu dojo in Indiana, New York, Chile, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Mexico and various California cities including El Centro, Brawley, Berkeley, San Miguel and Paso Robles. Kyoshi Noujaim travels extensively promoting Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan nationally and internationally, including seminars in Israel, Chile, Jordan and Mexico. His travels also take him to Naha City, Okinawa, Japan where he trains under Shugoro Nakazato Sensei, Grand Master Shorin-Ryu ShorinKan Karate & Kobudo. In addition "Noujaim’s Cal South International Martial Arts Camp" , held every November since 1997, draws from all the martial arts disciplines. The 2003 CAMP was privileged to have Nakazato Sensei as the Guest of Honor along with his son, Minoru san and several kyoshis from Okinawa.