Nihon Koden Shindo Ryu

Infobox martial art group

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imagecaption = Hiroyuki Hamada
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name = Nihon Koden Shindo Ryu
日本古伝神道流
aka =
date founded = March 28, 1964
country = flagicon|Japan Japan
founder = Hiroyuki Hamada (1925–2003)
arts = Karate
ancestor_arts = Tomari Ha, Shuri Te, To Te
descendant_arts =
ancestor schools =
descendant schools=
notable pract =
website = http://www.nikoshindo.org

Nihon Koden Shindo Ryu (日本古伝神道流) is a style of Karatedo that literally means "The Traditional Japanese Style of the Path to God". The style was created by Hiroyuki Hamada, the "So Shihan" (Grandmaster) on the morning of March 28, 1964 in the Isekotaigingie temple in the Prefecture of Mie, Japan. [ [http://www.nikoshindo.org/english/welcome.htm] ] [ [http://www.nikoshindo.org/english/style.htm] ] The maximum authority in the style outside Japan is Felton Messina, who possesses the rank of "So Shihan" which was given to him by Hiroyuki Hamada on June of 1999 during a visit to Japan. This degree is valid in every country around the world except Japan, where specified in the certificate given to him, he possesses 7th degree black belt. The World Karate Federation (WKF) of which he is member certifies and recognizes his 7th degree black belt. [ [http://www.nikoshindo.org/english/america.htm Nihon Koden Shindo in America] ]

Characteristics

The fundamental basis of this style is speed, which is obtained by knowing and dominating the principle that is called in the sytle "loose-tight-loose" or "soft-hard-soft". Practitioners believe that this rhythm helps maintain the body's muscle's totally relaxed for most of the time, only hardening the body at the moment of impact with the opponent. At this moment when the body hardens and impacts the opponent, it vibrates (like when an arrow hits its target) transmitting the energy of the speed developed when the body was loose. After the impact the body then returns to its original state of relaxation. This rhythm aims to save energy as the body is relaxed for most of the time and also increases speed drastically. This is one of the main concepts that the style defends. [ [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/1419694596 The Physics of Karatedo by Eng. Felton Messina] ] Like many other styles Kihon (basics), Kata (forms), Bunkai (forms practiced with a partner, one attacking and the other defending with the movements of the kata), and Kumite (sparring) are part of the day to day training. The style also incorporates stand-up grappling techniques, Aikido-like techniques and pre arranged forms of Kumite called Ippon Kumite, Sanbon Kumite, and Jakusoku Kumite. [ [http://shindoryu.890m.com/programa.html Nihon Koden Shindo in Cuba] ] [ [http://www.nikoshindo.org/english/movement.htm Nihon Koden Shindo Ryu Movements ] ]

Stances

The basic fundamental stances in this style are [ [http://www.nikoshindo.org/positions/index.htm Nihon Koden Shindo Ryu Positions ] ] :

*Heisoku dachi
*Mosubi dachi
*Fudo dachi
*Sanchin dachi
*Shiko dachi
*Kokutsu dachi
*Zenkutsu dachi
*Futsudo dachi
*Neko ashi dachi
*Naihanchi dachi
*Kosa dachi
*Suro ashi dachi

In the style, Kokutsu dachi, Zenkutsu dachi, and Naihanchi are narrower than in many other styles, and this is to have a faster displacement. For example, the displacement in Zenkutsu dachi isn't done in semi circles but straight forward. In Naihanchi, the practitioners execute the stance with the feet being as wide as the shoulders, then the knees must be exactly on top of the feet so that the stance can be strong and enable the use of the hips while blocking or punching.

Blocks

The basic fundamental blocks in this style are: [ [http://www.nikoshindo.org/blocks/index.htm Nihon Koden Shindo Ryu Blocks] ]

*Jodan uke
*Chudan uke
*Gedan Barai
*Koken uke o Kakuto uke
*Shuto uke
*Morote uke
*Yuyi uke
*Enpi uke

Many other different types of blocks and strikes with the elbow are practiced in this style.

Kicks

The basic fundamental kicks in this style are: [ [http://www.nikoshindo.org/kicks/index.htm Nihon Koden Shindo Ryu Kicks] ] :

*Mae-geri
*Mawashi geri
*Yoko geri
*Ushiro geri
*Mikazuke geri
*tobi geri

All these kicking technique are generally executed at chudan level (body's torso), this is because Hiroyuki Hamada always taught that the jodan level (the head) was meant to be stricken with punches because they can reach that area faster than the feet. The style defends the idea that kicking high is meant to be done in competitions, not in traditional Karatedo.

Katas

In the Nihon Koden Shindo Ryu style the following katas are practiced: [ [http://www.nikoshindo.org/english/movement.htm Nihon Koden Shindo Ryu Movements ] ]

*Kihon No Kata: "Basic techniques"; Here, the basic blocks (gedan barai, chudan uke, and jodan uke), the basic kicks or "Kihon geri" (mae-geri, yoko-geri, mawashi-geri, and ushiro-geri), and the basic forms of punching or "Kihon tsuki" (oi-tsuki and giakutsuki) are practiced.

*Pinan Nidan
*Pinan Sandan
*Pinan Shodan
*Pinan Yondan
*Pinan Godan

Pinan or "mind in peace" in english; these are 5 katas that are studied in this order from a lower to a higher degree of complexity regardless of the numbers in japanese which seem to be in disorder.

*Naihanchi Shodan
*Naihanchi Nidan
*Naihanchi Sandan

Naihanchi or "iron horseman" in english; In its three versions they all contain two similar characteristics, a totally linear and horizontal enbusem and the use of only one stance which is Naihanchi.

*Bassai: "Penetrate through the use of force"; this kata is characterized by strong blocks and because there are no step backwards or in retrocession. This version of Shindo Ryu was adapted from the Wado Ryu version by Felton Messina. See [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nmo664Wh-SU the kata here] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaqHNV6uf3g its bunkai]

*Enpi: "Elbow"; this kata was created by Felton Messina with the approval of Hiroyuki Hamada and consists, as its name indicates, in a series of blocks and attacks using the elbows. This kata should not be confused with the kata "Empi" that is practiced in Shotokan. See [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8IL1Y8jrUM the kata here]

*Seishan: "Thirteen"; this kata teaches how to fight at a close distance because it for the most part of the time it is done in Futsudo dachi and only short hand strikes and low kicks are used. This kata contains a very effective technique to get out of a hold.

*Chinto: "Fighting to the east"; This kata was adapted from a kata taught by a chinese sailor to Kokasu Matsumura. Its main characteristic is the use of a stance in one leg called Suro ashi dachi.

*Koug Shan Kough: This kata is named after a chinese soldier who knew kung-fu and taught it in Okinawa in 1756. This is the longest kata of the style and requires continuous and systematic practice in order to dominate it.

*Sanchin: "The three battles"; it refers to the battle between mind, body, and spirit with the objective of developing the "ki" or universal energy. This kata does not possess a bunkai kumite and is done to strengthen the muscles and learn how to breath correctly. The whole kata is done in Sanchin dachi.

*Wanshu: This kata is also named after a chinese soldier who visited Okinawa in 1683. In this style a variant somewhat different to the one other styles practice is done.

*Seipai: "Eighteen"; this is the most advanced kata of the style, required for the rank of Shihan (master). From chinese origin, probably from the style of the tiger; it presents varied techniques involving throws, holds, and escapes from holds.

*Sai no Kata: "Way of the sai"; This kata was created by Felton Messina and teaches the correct use of the sai.

*Bo no Kata: "Way of the wooden stick"; This kata is executed with a stick about one inch, 6 feet long stick. It's a version of a very popular kata in Kobudo called Sakugawa no Kon.

Kata is a very important part of Nihon Koden Shindo Ryu training because practitioners believe that doing good katas will help improve Kumite skills.

Other requirements

*Bunkai kumite: This is the application of the movements in the kata. Up to ikkyu (1st degree black belt) these are executed following the same enbusem as the kata, afterwards they are only done with one opponent from a combat stance.
*Ippon Kumite: It consists of 2 series of 5 ippon kumite each and each one done with a partner. Here the applications of the basic blocks, kicks, and punches are taught. They are taught in 7th and 6th kyu.
*Sanbon Kumite: Pre arranged fight consisting of of the same basic techniques as in the ippon kumite and some others more advanced done continuously while advancing forwards and backwards defending and attacking. This is a requirement for 5th kyu.
*Jakusoku Kumite: These are 10 traditional Jakusoku kumite done with partners where more advanced forms of defense and counter attack are shown. These are required for brown and different black belt degrees.
*Jiu Kumite: This is free sparring. Here one is supposed to apply all that one has learned in previous practices and add to that timing, alertness, speed and good technique. In this style free sparring is not done applying competition rules. It is required in every degree or rank.
*Taisawaki: As its name indicates, to avoid an impact by rotating the body in circular motion and remaining close to the opponent. This is the most advanced form of defense there is. It is taught in two series of 7 taisawaki each and each one done with a partner. It exists in a basic form and a more advanced form that is done to obtain the rank of Shihan.
*Nigiru: are 8 escapes from holds done to obtain the degree of Shodan.
*Immobilizations: It's a series of 8 immobilizations done to control and immobilize the adversary. [ [http://www.nikoshindo.org/english/movement.htm Nihon Koden Shindo Ryu Movements ] ]

References

Bibliography

# The Physics of Karatedo by Felton Messina ISBN 1419694596
# [http://nikoshindo.org/english/frameset.htm English Site]
# http://www.redmarcial.com.ar/disciplinas/shindoryu.htm es icon
# http://www.shindoryu.com.ve/fundador.htm es icon
# http://shindoryu.890m.com/nacimiento.html es icon

See also

* So Shihan Hiroyuki Hamada
* So Shihan Felton Messina

External links

* [http://www.nikoshindo.org/ Official site]
* [http://shindoryu.890m.com/ Nihon Koden Shindo Ryu in Cuba]
* [http://www.shindoryu.com.ve/ Nihon Koden Shindo Ryu in Venezuela]