Shogun Karate Kai at The Circus, CT6 8PJ Herne Bay, United Kingdom

Description

Shohei-ryu (昭平流 Shōhei-ryū?) is a style of Okinawan Karate that is descended from Uechi-ryu, and hence from Pangai-noon Kung Fu Following the 1991 death of Kanei Uechi, son of Uechi-ryu founder Kanbun Uechi, there was an organizational split and the directors of the Okinawa Karate-Do association officially created the name Shohei-Ryu for their organization's version of the style. Shohei-ryu means in Japanese to "shine brightly with fairness, equality, and peace." The organization's chairman is Tsutomu Nakahodo. The art is practiced internationally, with schools in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Ryuko Tomoyose (Shohei-ryu Hanshi 10th Dan) was recognized as an Intangible Cultural Asset holder in the Field of Okinawan Karate and Martial Arts with Weaponry by the Okinawa Prefecture in 2000.[ The Okikukai Emblem The Okikukai Emblem "The emblem is really a composite of two symbols, one representing the old Okinawa and the other the new. The off-center circle-within-a-circle is the official prefectural symbol of Okinawa; the outer red ring represents the ocean, the inner white ring peace, and the central red sphere means development or progress. This symbol of modern Okinawa is enclosed within a symbol of the ancient Ryukyuan Kingdom consisting of three yellow waves that circle a white region. The Okinawan emblem combines symbols to represent the continuity of ancient Ryukyuan values within modern-day Okinawa, and the concentric circles motif symbolizes, variously, the eternity of Heaven and Earth, self-completion, equality, and peace. This whirling vision of justice and peace, so central to the Okikukai philosophy, is also the confident expression of the belief that the ancient Ryukyuan ethos continues and will continue to enliven Okinawan life." Kata The kata of Shohei-ryu are a superset of Uechi-ryu: • Sanchin • Kanshiwa • Kanshu • Seichin • Seisan • Seiryu • Kanchin • Sanseiryu • Ryuko Traditional Okinawan Karate History of Uechi-ryu and Shohei-ryu Karate May 5 1877 Uechi Kanbun is born in Izumi, a mountain village on the Motobu Peninsula in northern Okinawa, the eldest son of samurai descendents Kantoku and Tsuru. March 1897 Kanbun (age 19) flees to China in order to escape Japanese military conscription. He arrives in Fuchow City,Fukien Province in the same month and stays at the Ryukyukan Jueneki (Okinawa Fellowship Hall) temporarily. In early summer he joins the Kugusku Dojo, taught by another Okinawan, Makabei. Soon after he leaves there and comes under the wing of Shushiwa (Shushabu as pronounced by Kanbun). For the next ten years Kanbun immerses himself in the study of kenpo and Chinese medicine. 1904 Kanbun (27) receives certification in kenpo. 1907 Kanbun (30) opens a school, in Nansoe, a day's journey southwest of Fuchow. Autumn 1909 One of Kanbun's pupils kills a neighbour in a dispute over irrigation of the drought stricken rice fields. Kanbun closes the school. February 1910 Kanbun (33) returns to his native village of Izumi in Okinawa. May 1910 Kanbun marries Toyama Gozei. June 26 1911 Uechi Kanei, eldest son of Kanbun, is born. In the following years two daughters, Kame and Tsuru, and a second son, Kansei (July 23, 1922), are born. 1924 Kanbun (47) goes to the industrialized Kansal region on the mainland in search of stable employment, leaving his family behind. He arrives in Wakayama and begins working as a janitor in Hinomaru Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha, a cotton mill. Tomoyose Ryuyu (24), a young Okinawan who lives next door, convinces Kanbun to teach him kenpo. It is the first time Kanbun teaches outside of China. 1926 Kanbun (49) opens a school, Shataku Dojo, located inside the cotton mill compound with the assistance of Tomoyose Ryuyu. He teaches only three kata, kotekitae (forearm conditioning), and Chinese medicine. 1927 Kanei (16) joins his father in Wakayama and enters Shataku Dojo. April 1932 Kanbun (54) opens Pangainoon-ryu Karate-jutsu Kenkyu-jo (Pangainoon Karate Study Hall), a fully-fledged school located in the migrant Okinawan community. November 1933 Shubukai (Organization of Martial Training) is formed. April 1937 Kanei (26) receives instructor certification and begins teaching also in the Kansai region. October 18, 1939 Kanei (28) marries Nakahara Shige from Izumi, Okinawa. Autumn 1940 The students at Pangainoon-ryu Karate-jutsu Kenkyu-jo rename the style "Uechi-ryu" and give Kanbun (63) the title of Grandmaster. January 1941 Kanei (30) is promoted to go dan. May 10, 1941 Uechi Kanmei, eldest son of Kanei, is born. April 1942 Kanei's students are called away to World War Two and he returns to Okinawa to look after his family in Nago. Upon arriving he begins teaching his brother and other youths from the neighbourhood in the family yard. It is the first time Uechi-ryu is taught in Okinawa. 1944 Kanei (33) and his students are called into the war effort to defend Okinawa. October 1946 Kanbun (69) returns to Okinawa placing the care of his school in the hands of Tomoyose Ryuyu. Two students, Shinjo Seiryo and his son Seiyu, travel with Kanbun while others return separately. Kanbun reopens the school Kanei had begun in Nago. 1947 Kansei (25), who had been a member of the Japanese forces disarmed by the Russian army in Manchuria and who had spent two years in a Siberian prison camp, returns to Nago. November 25, 1948 Uechi Kanbun (71) dies of nephritis. April 1949 Kanei (38) moves to Ginowan and opens a school, Uechi-ryu Karate-jutsu Kenkyu-jo (Uechi Karate Study Hall), with the assistance of Tomoyose Ryuko (20), son of Ryuyu. May 1956 The first meeting of the Okinawa Karate-do Renmei (Okinawa Karate Federation) is held in Naha with Uechiryu as a charter member. Winter 1956 George E. Mattson (19) begins approximately one and a half year's tutelage under Tomoyose Ryuko at the latter's home in Kitanakagusuku, Okinawa. July 1957 Kanei (46) moves his school a short distance to its present location in Futenma, calling it "Uechi-ryu karate Dojo." Summer 1958 Mattson returns to the United States, begins teaching at the YMCA in Boston, and it is the first time Uechiryu is taught in America. July 1959 Kanei (48) receives a Master Instructor Certificate from Tomoyose Ryuyu. December 15, 1963 Reconstruction of the school in Futenma is completed and is renamed "Soke Shubukan" (Style Headquarters). Winter 1966 Kanei (55), Ryuko, and other members of the Uechi Karate Association visit Taiwan and meet with Chinese kenpo experts to discuss the origins of Uechi-ryu. February 1967 The Zen Nihon Karate-do Renmei (All Japan Karate Federation) awards Kanei (56) ju dan (tenth degree). April 1967 The Zen Okinawa Karate-do Renmei (All Okinawa Karate Federation) awards Kanei judan. August 1967 Kanei and Ryuko visit the United States to observe Uechi-ryu in America. January 1971 Shubukai is renamed "Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do Kyokai" (Uechi Karate Association), which becomes an international organization with member schools in the United States, Canada, England, France, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines. May 1975 Kanei (64) is elected President of the All Okinawa Karate Federation. April 1984 Kanei (73), Ryuko, Kansei, and other members of the Uechi Karate Association visit Fuchow City, Fukien Province, China to retrace Kanbun's life there and the origins of Uechi-ryu. August 1984 The same group visits the United States to observe Uechi-ryu in America. November 1987 Uechi Kansei dies at the age of 65 having achieved the rank of eighth dan. His classes at the Nago dojo were taken over by three of his sons. In the same month Uechi Kanei is taken in to hospital with a severe stomach ailment. February 21 1991 Uechi Kanei dies at the age of 80 1991 Many senior members leave the Uechi-ryu Association due to political disagreement. 1992 Those who left the Uechi-ryu Association create the Okinawa Karatedo Kyokai (Okikukai) in order to continue training Uechi-ryu karate. Tomoyose Ryuku is the first president of the new association. Shinjo Kiyohide also leaves the Uechi-ryu Association and formalises the sub-group that he had created called the Uechi-ryu Karate Kenyukai into an Association. 1995 The Okikukai create a new karate school called Shohei-ryu following the prevention of the use of the Uechi name by the Uechi-ryu association. The Okinawa Karatedo Kyokai (Okikukai) As members of the Okikukai GB, this club is affiliated to the largest Uechi-ryu style association on Okinawa. The Okikukai was created by students of Uechi Kanei who felt compelled to leave the Uechi-ryu Association because of internal disagreements following the death of Uechi Kanei in 1991. The Uechi-ryu association, called Soke, is presently run by Uechi Kaneis Son, Kamei. The Okikukai emblem was designed by Master Takeo Sakiyama, Kyoshi 7 Dan for the new association. The official explanation behind the design is as follows. The emblem is a composite of two symbol, one representing the old Okinawa and one the new. The off-centre circle within a circle is the official prefectural symbol of Okinawa; the outer red ring represents the ocean, the inner white ring, peace and the central red sphere means development or progress. This symbol of modern Okinawa is enclosed within the symbol of the ancient Ryukyuan kingdom consisting of three yellow waves that circle a white region. The Okikukai emblem combines symbols to represent the continuity of ancient Ryukyuan values within modern day Okinawa, and the concentric circles motif symbolises, variously, the eternity of Heaven and Earth, self-completion, equality and peace. This Whirling vision of justice and peace, so central to the Okikukai philosophy is also the confident expression of the belief that the ancient Ryukyuan ethos continues to enliven Okinawan life.Following the breakaway from the Uechi-ryu Association the members of the newly formed Okikukai continued to practice the Uechi-ryu style of karate. Shortly after the creation of the Okikukai the Uechi-ryu association decreed that the Okikukai would no longer be allowed to use the name Uechi in the description of their style of karate. The result was the creation of a new name. The style that is practiced is still Uechi-ryu; only the name, out of necessity, has changed. The official explanation behind the new name is as follows. The New School Name On November 6th 1995, the board of directors of the Okinawa Karatedo Association created a new school (Ryuha) and officially named it Shohei-ryu, choosing this one from 28 proposed names. The name Shohei-ryu was chosen for its historical significance and also because its meaning speaks to all members of the Okinawa Karatedo Association regardless of nationality. The word comes from two Chinese characters, sho and hei, the first of which means to shine brightly and the second of which means fairness, equality and Shohei-ryu peace. Shohei-ryu’s name and year of origin also express another level of significance, one reflecting more particularly to Okinawan history and philosophy. In 1989 the Okinawa Karatedo Association came into existence, the same year that the present emperor of Japan acceded to the throne. The era name changed from Showa to Heisei and Shohei-ryu, referring to both eras is an amalgam of the old and the new. It is our choice, as modern Okinawans, to neither reject the past, nor ignore the future, and so our name represents the meeting and mixing of historic eras and is also a reminder of historical events which the world must never forget. It is highly significant that Shohei-ryu has come into being in 1995, the fiftieth anniversary of the end of the Battle of Okinawa and the Pacific War. Shohei-ryu, thus, is a name to mark the epochal changes of our time, and the name also proclaims our deep-seated attitudes toward history and tradition. The poet Basho once taught us not walk only in the physical footprints of the ancients, but to follow their creative mentality. We believe this but we also walk in the footprints of the ancients to know the present. In the development of this new Ryuha the members of the Okinawa Karatedo Association resolve to enrich our lives and our art both technically and spiritually. Thus the Shohei-ryu promises unlimited and everlasting development of the Okinawa Karatedo Association in the days to come.

ADDR

Herne Bay

Shogun Karate Kai

Address and contacts of Shogun Karate Kai

Description

Opening time

Specialities

Company Rating

Summary

Sports Venue & Stadium category, Herne Bay