Ryukyu Kempo

Ryūkyū Kempo (琉球拳法) is a generic term often used to describe all forms of karate from the Ryūkyū Islands, and more specifically to refer to the particular styles associated with Taika Seiyu Oyata and with George Dillman.Fact|date=February 2008 Oyata is credited with being the originator of the American use of the terms Ryukyu Kempo, tuite-jitsu and kyusho-jitsu.Seiyu Oyata: Master of the Old way. Official Karate; July 1984, pg 22] The name Ryūkyū Kempo was adopted by a prominent martial arts personality, George Dillman, who taught his own version of Oyata’s style and promoted it heavily through seminars and publications. This prompted Oyata to change the name of his style to Ryu Te. The Ryu Te organization is international and includes a select cohort of long-time students known as "Oyata Shin Shu Ho," whom he considers the heirs of his art.

As taught by Taika Seiyu Oyata

Oyata’s Ryūkyū Kempo teaches a style of close-in striking and blocking as well as his own creationsFact|date=February 2008 of a set of grappling, locking, and escape techniques (tuite-jitsu) and of advanced striking techniques (kyusho-jutsu). There are twelve open-hand kata and a number of traditional Okinawan kobudo weapons including the bō, chizikunbo, eku, jō, kama, sai, tanbo, tonfa, manji-sai, and nunti-bo. Practitioners also train in Bogu Kumite, a style of combat training in protective armor initiated by Oyata and his instructor Shigeru Nakamura.

Several branches of Ryūkyū Kempo have developed. These organizations are headed by members of the former Zenkoku Ryūkyū Kempo Karate Kobudo Rengo Kai. Their separate associations are loosely affiliated. They all have curricula based on that of Oyata. Seikichi Odo, heir to one of Oyata's instructors, Shigeru Nakamura, had his own organization that taught Ryūkyū Kempo. Odo apparently died without naming a successor, but his organization continues to exist.

As taught by George Dillman

Dillman's version of the art, which he calls Ryūkyū kempo tomari-te, has a large international following,Fact|date=February 2008 due in part to aggressive marketing of his books and seminars. The art is known for its emphasis on light-touch pressure-point knock-outs but also emphasizes close-in grappling techniques. It is often practiced by students of other forms of Karate as an add-on systemFact|date=February 2008 that is said to enhance their understanding of bunkai (applications of the kata).Fact|date=February 2008 His art has generated a considerable amount of controversy, due in large part to Dillman's reluctance to scientifically prove the validity of his claims. The most contentious claims have been his promotion of alleged no-touch knock-outs, kiai knock-outs, and increasing technique effectiveness based on sound and color.

George Dillman and Seiyu Oyata

Dillman was first exposed to Ryūkyū Kempo during a demonstration Oyata held in Kansas City in 1983, where Oyata introduced his art to the mainstream martial arts community. An article was written for Official Karate magazine that featured Dillman and Oyata on the front cover.

“Perhaps the best known of the seminar participants was Mr George Dillman, 7th dan, Okinawan style, of ryūkyū kempo. Mr Dillman had been told by Mr Oyata when he called, that if he (Mr Dillman) came to the seminar he should be prepared to endure pain.” [...] Mr Dillman states “It’s totally fantastic! I’ve been involved in Okinawan karate for over 25 years and I’ve never experienced anything like it. It gives me the answers to a lot of my katas-for a long time I didn’t know the question! I still don’t have all the answers, but at least I am getting it. Now I can see the hidden moves behind kata practice that have been secret for years: they are totally unreal!”

Dillman’s training after this point has been contested by those around Oyata, and there has never been any form of endorsement by Oyata or his organization of Dillman’s teachings, while Dillman maintains that his training with Oyata was substantial and opened new paths to discovery. He also maintains that his practices of tuite-jitsu and kyusho-jitsu are based on an education he received from Oyata. Dillman's background is varied and he cites five Okinawan masters whom he has trained under as well as an extensive list of other martial artists with whom he has trained.Fact|date=February 2008 His curriculum has elements of many martial arts and is based on the Oyata system more with respect to the principles of kata interpretation than on the stepwise progression of movement training that Oyata is known for.

References

External links

* [http://www.kushu.com Taika Oyata RyuTe Karate page] (original version of Ryukyu Kempo)
* [http://www.dillman.com George Dillman's page]