HISTORY OF SHUKOKAI

KARATE-DO (THE WAY OF THE EMPTY HAND) [1]
Legend has it, the evolution of Karate began over a thousand years ago, possibly as early as the fifth century B.C., when a Buddhist monk by the name of Bodhidharma arrived at the Shaolin temple in China, from India, where he taught Zen Buddhism. He also introduced a set of exercises designed to strengthen the mind and body, exercises that allegedly marked the beginning of the Shaolin style of temple boxing. Bodhidharma's teachings later became the basis for the majority of Chinese martial arts. Little was known about the early development of Karate until it appeared in Okinawa.

Okinawa is a small island of the group that comprises modern day Japan. It is the main island in the chain of Ryuku Islands, which spans from Japan to Taiwan. Being at the cross road of major trading routes, its significance as a 'resting spot' was first discovered by the Japanese. It later developed as a trade centre for south East Asia, trading with Japan and China amongst others.
In it's early stages, the martial art known as "KARATE" was an indigenous form of closed fist fighting which was developed in Okinawa called "Te", or "hand". Further refinement came with the influence of other martial arts brought by nobles and trade merchants to the island.

Te continued to develop over the years, primarily in three Okinawan cities: Shuri, Naha and Tomari. Each of these towns was a centre to a different section of society: kings and nobles, merchants and business people, and farmers and anglers, respectively. For this reason,
different forms developed within each city and subsequently became known as: Shuri-te, Naha-te and Tomari-te, collectively they were called "To-de" "Chinese Hand". Gradually, two main groups were formed: Shorin-Ryu, which developed around Shuri and Tomari and Shorei-Ryu from the Naha area. The Chinese character used to write To-de could also be pronounced 'Kara' thus Te with Kara-te Jutsu or 'Chinese hand art’ by the Okinwan masters. This was later changed to Karate-do by the Japanese who adopted an alternative meaning for the Chinese character. From this point on the term, Karate came to mean 'Empty Hand'. The 'Do' in Karate-Do means 'way' or 'path', and is indicative of the discipline and philosophy of Karate with its moral and spiritual connotations. The first public demonstration of Karate in Japan was in 1917 by Gichin Funakoshi, who was also instrumental in changing the name to KARATE-DO.

Today there are four main styles of Karate-do in Japan:

Shito-ryu founded by Kenwa Mabuni (1889-1952)
Goju-ryu founded by Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953)
Shoto-kan founded by Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957)
Wado-ryu founded by Hironori Otsuka (1892-1982)

SHITO-RYU KARATE-DO
Shito-ryu Karate, was founded by Kenwa Mabuni Sensei (1889-1952)

When he was 13 years old, Kenwa Mabuni Sensei began his training in Shorin-ryu with Anko Itosu Sensei, a noted Karate master, in the Shuri area of Okinawa. Itosu Sensei was not only highly skilled in Budo but also a great innovator in teaching the martial arts.

Around 1905, Itosu Sensei introduced Karate into the Okinawan public school system. Among other accomplishments, Itosu Sensei created the Pinan Kata, which are still practised today as introductory or intermediate forms in many schools. Itosu Sensei had an important effect on Karate in the 20th Century. Evidence of this can be found in the number of Karate styles that trace their lineage back to him.

In about 1909, through an introduction by his friend Chojun Miyagi Sensei (Founder of Goju-ryu) Mabuni Sensei started to train with Kanryo Higaonna, in Shorei-ryu. Higaonna Sensei was a great expert from the Naha region of Okinawa.

In 1915, both Itosu Sensei and Higaonna Sensei passed away within a short time of each other. Mabuni Sensei continued his training. Ultimately, he and Miagi Sensei joined with other students of Karate to start a research group aimed at practising and spreading Karate.

In 1929, Mabuni Sensei moved his entire family to Osaka. There he established a small dojo and began teaching his unique art, which was an eclectic mix of Shorin-ryu (Itosu) and Shorei-ryu (Higaonna), with some Kata from the White Crane that were taught to him by the legendary Go Kenki, a Chinese tea merchant who would visit Okinawa on business.

Mabuni Sensei ultimately decided to name his art 'SHI TO' which was formed by taking the first two characters (kanji) from the names of his two primary teachers, Itosu and Higaonna. Thus, the name Shito Ryu has no literal meaning but rather honours the two main teachers in Mabuni Sensei's life.

Mabuni Sensei worked tirelessly to teach Karate throughout Japan, and the impact that he had on the development of Japanese Karate was tremendous. Many groups trace an element of their lineage back to him. Kenwa Mabuni died on 23rd May 1952.

HISTORY OF SHUKOKAI KARATE [2]
Being a direct descendent of Shito-Ryu, Shukokai inherits the characteristics of both the Naha-te and Shuri-te styles of Okinawan Karate. Kenwa Mabuni merged the techniques and principles of the styles he learned from his teachers Kanryu Higaonna, and Anko Itosu to form his Shito-Ryu style of Karate. As such, Shukokai combines the circular breathing techniques from Naha-te and the quick linear movements of the Shuri-te styles. This is apparent in the katas performed within Shukokai.

Katas like Sanchin, Tensho, and Seienchin are handed down from the Naha-te traditions, while katas like Annanko, Matsukaze, and Bassai-Dai are handed down from the Shuri-te traditions. Upon close examination, one can see the similarities between Tensho, Sanchin, and Seienchin, and the similarities between Bassai-Dai, Annanko, and Matsukaze, and what makes the Naha-te katas different from the Shuri-te katas.

Master Mabuni's experience with both the Naha-te and Shuri -te styles was why he was renowned throughout Japan and Okinawa as the foremost expert on kata. Another attribute that distinguishes Shukokai Karate from other styles is the execution of techniques. While Shukokai shares many of the same punches, kicks, and blocks found in other popular styles of Karate, it is in how these are executed that sets Shukokai apart.

Sensei Tani began studying Goju Karate while at Junior High school. When he entered the Doshisha University, he began studying Shito Ryu Karate. Upon receiving his Menko (Teachers Certificate) from Kenwa Mabuni, Sensei Tani began teaching Tani-Ha Shito Ryu at his own Dojo in 1948. He proudly hung a wood carved sign above the entrance which said Shukokai.

Sensei Tani sought to perfect his style by studying the mechanics of the human body and developed techniques which can be delivered with maximum efficiency. Over a long period of time Sensei Tani evolved and developed Shukokai. He always laid stress on the importance of etiquette, discipline and mental control and was at pains constantly to promote the improvement of technique.

When Sensei Tani retired as Chief Technical Director he appointed Shigeru Kimura (9th Dan) as his successor. Sensei Kimura had won the World All-Styles Championship when only 21 years of age and had twice been the All-Japan champion before retiring from active competition.
Sensei Tani and Sensei Kimura made their greatest contributions to the style by continually refining each technique to the highest degree, essentially re-defining the basics that had been practiced for centuries. Both made the study of body mechanics their primary focus with the end result being the delivery of the greatest impact with the least amount of effort

Another defining characteristic is that each technique must be combat-effective. Sensei Kimura believed that a technique, no matter how powerful, was useless if it could not be delivered under combat situations.

His philosophy was that the outcome of a confrontation should be decided in a single technique, as per the way of the samurais of old. This drove him to continually modify and test his technique throughout the course of his life with the end result being the traditional, yet combat-effective style of Karate we call Shukokai. Every technique executed within Shukokai has these defining principles at their very core.

[1] https://www.shukokai-uk.com/history.html

[2] https://www.shukokaikarateclub.com/history-of-shukokai-karate.html

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