Shohei-ryu

Shohei-ryu is a style of Okinawan Karate that is descended from Uechi-ryu, and hence from Pangai-noon Kung Fu [ [http://www.stoughtondojo.com/urkd.html Okinawan Karate Club ] ] . 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 [ [http://www.stoughtondojo.com/urkd.html Okinawan Karate Club ] ] . "Shohei-ryu" means in Japanese to "shine brightly with fairness, equality, and peace." The organization's president is Nobuhide Asato [ [http://www.okikukai.jp/English/admin.htm OkinawaKaratedoKyokai ] ] .

The art is practiced internationally, with schools in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. [ [http://www.okikukai.jp/English/info.htm OkinawaKaratedoKyokai ] ]

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. [ [http://www.wonder-okinawa.jp/023/eng/014/006/index.html Intangible Cultural Asset holder in the Field of Okinawan Karate and Martial Arts with Weaponry by Okinawa Prefecture ] ]

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." [ [http://www.okikukai.jp/ okikukai.jp] ] .

Kata

The kata of Shohei-ryu [ [http://iokarate.wordpress.com/kata/ Kata « Institute of Okinawan Karate-Do ] ] are similar to those of Uechi-ryu:

*Sanchin
*Kanshiwa
*Kansyu
*Seichin
*Seisan
*Seiryu
*Kanchin
*Sanseiryu
*Ryuko

References

External links

* [http://www.okikukai.jp/ Okikukai] The international headquarters of Shohei-ryu.
* [http://www.wonder-okinawa.jp/023/eng/009/001/index.html Description] of Uechi-ryu.
* [http://www.stoughtondojo.com/urkd.html History] of Shohei-ryu and Uechi-ryu (brief).
* [http://www.womenskaratetour.org/History.htm History] of Shohei-ryu and Uechi-ryu (detailed).
* [http://iokarate.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/shoheiryu_name.jpgThe Ryuha Name] Significance of the name Shohei-ryu.