Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai and the Legacy of Kori Hisataka

Shinan Masayoshi Kori Hisataka (Seiki Kudaka in Okinawa) was born on April 22, 1907 in Naha City, (Shuri) Okinawa and died on August 14, 1988 in Tokyo, Japan. He was born of lesser nobility and his family was awarded an island off Okinawa.

As a youth, he began his studies with Ankoh Asato. Shortly, thereafter, he studied weaponry with Ufuchiku Kanegushiku (Sanda Kinjo)- a rather interesting personality in Okinawa. His main instructor, however, was Chotoku Kyan (Kitake in Japanese), one of the greatest Okinawan masters whose favorite techniques included a side step or forward in movement followed by an immediate counter-attack all executed with great speed and body shifting. This very basic theory of taisabaki is a cornerstone of all the Shorinjiryu schools of karatedo.

In 1929, he toured Taiwan for almost a year with Master Kyan where legend recorded he never lost a match. Shortly, thereafter, he went to Tokyo and studied judo under Master Sampo Toku at the Kodokan. Interestingly, he attained the rank of fourth degree black belt in a single year. During this period of time he also studied Kendo. Wishing to improve his skills, he returned to China where he mastered Shorinjiryu-Kempo and delved into Pa Kua Chuan.

During the 1930s, he traveled throughout Thailand, Korea, Burma, Afghanistan, Russia, and Mongolia. While in the armed forces, he trained extensively and demonstrated his skills of Karatedo at various tournaments and exhibitions.  While stationed in Mongolia, he trained extensively with Minoru Mochizuki, a student of Jigoro Kano, founder of Judo and Morihei Ueshiba, founder of Aikijijutsu and ultimately the founder of Yoseikan Aikido.

With the news that his instructor Master Kyan passed away, Kori Hisataka had the alternative to establish a new school in Fukuoka Prefecture on Kyushu or remain with other dojo mates (it is reported that he was even asked to become one of Miyagi's dojo instructors). What he chose to do was to form the Kenkokan School of Shorinjiryu of Karatedo. Acknowledging and reflecting his two main sources of knowledge - Shorinryu and Shorinjiryu Kempo. An interesting bit of information is that Shinan Kori Hisataka was invited to demonstrate his style in Japan in the same manner of Funakoshi. Therefore, on June 10, 1947, he opened the first Shorinjiryu karate school naming it, â¤Nihon Ikusei Kenkokan Kenjutsu.

As a result of the knowledge which he gained through years of practice and practical application, Kori Hisataka realized that individualism must be acknowledged in the dojo. Stress was placed upon the full follow through of techniques, thereby creating greater torque. The use of the heel and the tate ken or vertical fist for added strength, safety, and natural movement was instituted - the vertical fist first being was used in China, and then, in Tomari, Okinawa.

Yakusoku kumite or prearranged fighting forms proved an effective training tool allowing for delivery of techniques, evasive moves and body control while maintaining safety. And, finally, he insisted upon the use of bogu or armor. The use of protective equipment proved to be an excellent method of preventing injury while allowing for full contact. Most schools dropped such equipment during World War II, as the costs were extremely prohibitive. Yet, Shinan Kori Hisataka insisted upon this effective training tool when he introduced his new system in 1947. The anzen bogu or safety armor used today is used by all Shorinjiryu schools.

In 1964, by special invitation of the Japanese Government, Shorinjiryu was introduced to the United States at the New York World's Fair held in Flushing Meadow Park. Shortly thereafter, many of the various Japanese Shorinjiryu instructors opened schools on the east coast and Canada. In the early and mid-70's after the Shinan retired virtually every one of the schools separated from the original school forming their own associations and federations. None of these attempts were successful in bringing back together the various schools.

Kyoshi Myron M. Lubitsch was heavily involved in tournament participation and involvement for many years and received numerous awards for his work as a referee and tournament official.After returning from Japan, he was disillusioned with an apparent direction that Shorinjiryu Kenkokan and Koshiki Karate were heading. In fact, the two were becoming interchangeable.

During a tournament hosted by him, Kyoshi Lubitsch spoke with Shihan Dan Hayes of Shorinjiryu Kenkukai and Shorinjiryu Kenyukai. During that meeting, the two discussed their plans for future events, philosophies, and direction of Shorinjiryu. Both instructors were totally in agreement that Shorinjiryu is an incredible system of Karatedo and must remain truer to the teaching of the original instructors. Kyoshi Lubitsch wanted to create an organization based upon strictly Shorinjiryu tournament membership while Shihan Hayes believed that schools outside the Shorinjiryu sphere should be invited in order to show case the system. Both instructors agreed that they would continue to support the efforts of the other. This agreement continues to today as Shihan Dan took the position of Vice President in 2003.

A year later, in 1986, Kyoshi Lubitsch invited Kyoshi John A. Mirrione of Shorinjiryu Kenkokai to one of his events. The idea was to formalize concept of the organization that was discussed with Shihan Hayes previously. The organization was to establish greater communication, exchange of techniques, theories, philosophies, general knowledge, a sharing of a common heritage and, of course, mutual respect and friendship. That meeting of old classmates resulted in the normalization of the Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai AKA International Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai. Currently, this organization is the largest grouping of strictly Shorinjiryu practitioners in the world with virtually all having the capability of direct lineage to the Shinan Kori Hisataka and/or the original instructors who came the North America beginning the mid-1960's. Additionally, the vast majority of chief instructors can claim over twenty-five years of Shorinjiryu study.

The Kyokai presently consists of thirteen independent schools of Shorinjiryu with over 30 dojos. The Kyokai member schools are Kenryukan, Kenkokai, Kenzenkai, Kenkukai, Kenwaryu, Kenryukan-India, Kenryukai, Shindo Budo Kwai, Kudaka-Kenkokan, Kenkokan-Russia, Ake No Myojo Budo, Kenshin, and Australian Shorinjiryu. Other independent schools such as Kentukukan of Canada, Shinto Nido Ichi Ryu of NY, Kenyukan, and Bushindo, while not full members, have lent their welcomed support to the yearly International Shorinjiryu Shinzen Shiai- "A Gathering of the Shorinjiryu Karate Family." This subtitle has been used since the beginning.

While Shorinjiryu is one of the lesser-known Okinawan forms of karate, it is resplendent in tradition, heritage, and lineage. We are as proud of its heritage as any of the other Okinawan or Japanese system is of theirs. Today, there are various Shorinjiryu schools, which can trace their lineage back to Master Kori Hisataka.

In October of 1996, two important milestones in the history of Shorinjiryu were celebrated. The first was the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of Shorinjiryu and the second represented the tenth anniversary of the International Shorinjiryu Shinzen Shiai. On October 13, 1996, the Kyokai hosted a special tournament and banquet in honor of these events. Clearly from the incredible response by the participants, the event was a success.

The Kyokai has implemented a strict methodology of tournament refereeing and judging. The goal of which is to offer to the contestant a safe, fair, unbiased, and professional standard of tournament officiating. Clinics on refereeing are held periodically in order to sharpen the skills of the officials and apprise them of any changes in the rules. Additionally, a formal manual is available to all the instructors.

The use of weapons is regulated in that the contestant must choose from a select group of weapons that are supplied by the Kyokai. The weapons are not used by anyone except the contestant at a given event. The concept being each player has to show the skill learned in class. There are no lightweight pencil thin bo, or doctored sai, etc.

The Kyokai organizes tournaments by kyu ranking based upon a ten-kyu system. This eliminates any questions regarding belt colors, as some invited guests may not use the same color system.

The Kyokai has standardized certain kata forms such as Ananku; others are being worked upon.

The Kyokai has standardized the issuance of certification of grading with a view of maintaining a high level of competence and professionalism.