Early in the 20th century, several masters began introducing
a martial art throughout Japan. Originally called "Todi,"
the name was changed to "Karate" which means "empty
hand."
Karate began spreading around the world after World
War II. The biggest contributors were the many emigrants who went
to live abroad, and the U.S. military personnel occupying Japan at
the time. To learn more about the history of Okinawan Karate, follow
this link
Master Zenryo Shimabukuro
Ryukyu Shorinji-Ryu is a style of karate developed by Master Zenryo
Shimabukuro, student of Master Chotoku Kyan. It is both a hard and
soft style and requires power and precision, as well as speed and
agility. Repetition of basics and katas are the foundation of training
in Ryu Kyu Shorinji-Ryu. Dedicated practice of Shorinji-Ryu Karate-Do
is a path of self-discovery and self-improvement.
Master Chotoku Kyan
Master Chotoku Kyan was born in Shuri, Okinawa. His father, Chofu
Kyan, and his grandfather began teaching him the empty hand art of
self-defense. In the 1920s, he traveled to mainland Japan. On his
return he visited Taiwan on a martial arts exchange tour of Okinawan
and Chinese Martial Arts. Being proficient in both arts, Kyan invented
his own Kata "Ananku."
Shuri Castle, whose ruins remain in Naha City of Okinawa
Prefecture, is said to date back to the 12th century or earlier. After
several hundred years of rivalry between warlords, Okinawa islands
were unified as the Ryukyu Kingdom in the early 15th century. For
450 years thereafter, Shuri castle had been the palace of the King
of Ryukyu. Being an independent kingdom situated between Japan and
China, Okinawa, then Ryukyu, Shuri Castle developed in an architectural
style different from that of castles in mainland Japan. Reflecting
Okinawa's active exchange with China in the 14th century, Chinese
influence can be seen in the construction techniques of the castle.
From the 18th century when the region came to have relationships with
Japan, Korea, and other neighboring countries, some buildings were
built reflecting the architectural styles of these countries.
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The castle boasted a 60,000-square meter (71,754-square
yard) compound at the peak of its prosperity. Just before the Second
World War, it still covered 46,000 square meters (55,011 square yards)
with maximum axes of 400 meters (1,312 feet) from east to west and
270 meters (886 feet) from north to south. The castle complex at that
time was surrounded by solid stone walls, and many national-treasure
class buildings including the symbolic Seiden (main pavilion) and
the Shurei-mon (the second gate) soared imposingly. During the war,
however, not only those buildings but also the stone walls were completely
demolished. Today, the Kankai-mon (the main gate), the Shurei-mon,
the Seiden, and other buildings have been restored to their original
state, and the site has been made into a historical park.
World Heritage Site
Though not a theocracy, the ruler and ruling family of the kingdom
were deeply involved in the spiritual life of the realm. There are
nine sacred spaces (utaki) within the castle precincts, relating to
ritual, investiture, and spiritual life of the kingdom, and the prominent
ones held my attention, if only briefly. The last king of the Ryukyus
abdicated in 1879 when Okinawa first became a prefecture of Japan.
The castle was largely neglected until 1929, when it was designated
a National Treasure. In the major repair work undertaken then, the
State Hall was dismantled and its construction extensively recorded
and measured. In 1933, the Shureimon gate underwent a similar process.
During the heavy bombardment at the end of World War II, Shuri Castle
was destroyed. These precious records are the basis for and allowed
the excellent reconstruction work. Portions of the outer wall are
still being reconstructed. Shuri Castle and the other Okinawan castle
ruins are all UNESCO World Heritage Sites. To learn more about the
Shuri Castle, follow
this link
