Tode Sakaugawa First known Okinawan Karate Teacher. 1733-1815

Bushi Matsumura  Founder Shorin Ryu 1797 - 1889

Nabe Matsumura Grandson of Bushi Matsumura Dates Unknown

Hohan Soken  Nephew  of Nabe Matsumura 1889 - 1982

Fusei Kise  Personal Student & Successor of Hohan Soken 1935 - Present

Mike Hancock  Soke, I.O.B.K. 10th Dan, Friend and Student of Fusei Kise.

Amy Hancock  Soke-Dai I.O.B.K. 9th Dan, and Wife Of Soke Mike Hancock.

What is Shorin Ryu Karate

Okinawan Shorin-Ryu   

Shorin Ryu Karate and Kobudo:
The empty hand system of self-defense known today as Shorin Ryu Karate is
one of the oldest and most authentic forms of karate being taught throughout
the world today. Rich in technique and tradition, it was created out of the need
for self-preservation.

The beauty of Shorin Ryu Karate is that the kata bunkai, in addition to punching,
blocking and kicking, contain a grappling art known as 'tuite' and vital point
striking known as 'kyusho jutsu' ('tuite' consists of grappling, joint locking and
throwing techniques and 'kyusho jutsu' is the art of precisely hitting vital areas of
the body, otherwise known as pressure points).

Shorin Ryu kata has provided the pattern for 80% of all karate-do kata -
Shotokan, Wado-ryu, Shito-ryu, Tae Kwon Do, etc., all built their kata systems
from Shorin Ryu kata. Shorin Ryu kata are based on both long range and
close-in fighting techniques.

The fact is that the style still contains grappling, joint-Locking and throwing, as
well as "kyusho jutsu", as opposed to merely punching and kicking. Shorin Ryu
also incorporates the use of Okinawan weapons, in a term called "Okinawan
Kobudo".

Okinawan kobudo uses the same stances and theory of movement as Karate.
Major Kobudo tactics also include 'tai-sabaki' (or body changes), trapping and
hitting and simultaneously blocking and striking.