Shuri-Te

The Shuri-Te karate style along with the Naha-te and Tomari-te styles were the styles
original karate styles which were developed in the cities of Shuri, Naha
and Tomari respectively developed in the 18th century.

The Shuri-Te style of karate was fundamentally based on strikes to points.

vulnerable and/or vital, some strains and dislocations in the foot, direct blows
definitive or with torque and angled defenses.

His main techniques are executed with speed and strength, aiming to
impatience a single lethal blow, similar to the cut or thrust of a saber,
thus avoiding being subjected, detained, and captured by possible adversaries, murderers
the invaders. The Shuri Te is also defined by sudden open-hand strikes,
forearm strikes and low straight and angular kicks.

One of the earliest masters of Okinawan karate was the master

Sakugawa (1733-1815) who is credited as the initial importer of the arts
Chinese martial arts to Okinawa, particularly to Shuri where the development of Shuri began.
I train under the guidance of Kusanku, an artist of Chinese martial arts who ...
he was sent as an ambassador of the Qing dynasty, who trained Sakugawa
during his stay in Okinawa, Sakugawa trained under his tutelage for 6 years and
After his death, he developed the so-called Kata Kusanku in honor of his master.
Many teachers contributed to these styles, but,
master considered the father of modern karate
it was Master Anko Itosu, who introduced and took the
karate as a regular course of the programs of
physical education of "Naha", the Shuri-te style of
master Anko Itosu eventually became
Shorin-Ryu.

Anko created and introduced the Pinan forms (Heian in ...

Japanese) as learning steps for students, because I felt that the

old forms (kata in Japanese) were too difficult for students
learn. The five Pinan forms were created through the development of two
major forms: Kusanku and Chiang Nan. Itosu is also credited with the adoption of
the large Naihanchi form (Tekki in Japan) and breaking it down into the three forms
known modern variants Naihanchi Shodan, Nidan Naihanchi, and Naihanchi Sandan. In
In 1908, Itosu wrote the influential 'ten precepts (Tode Jukun) of Karate,'
achieving to go beyond Okinawa to Japan. Itosu's style of karate, Shorin-ryu,
he became known as Itosu-Ryu in recognition of his skill, mastery, and
his role as a teacher for many.

In October 1908, Itosu wrote a letter, 'ten precepts (Tode Jukun) of

Karate," to draw the attention of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of
War in Japan. A translation of the letter says the following:

Ten Precepts of Karate (Tode Jukun)

Karate did not develop from Buddhism or Confucianism. In the past
Shorin-ryu school and Shorei-ryu school were brought to Okinawa from China.
Both schools have strengths, which we will mention now before...
there are too many changes:

Karate is not merely practice for your own benefit; it can be

use to protect the family or one's captain. It is not meant to be
 used against a single assailant but rather as a way to prevent
a fight if one faces a villain or thug.
2. The purpose of Karate is to make the muscles and bones hard like
the rock and the use of hands and legs as spears. If the children
they begin training in Tang Te while they are at school
primary, then they will be very suitable for military service.
Remember the words attributed to the Duke of Wellington after defeating
Napoleon: "The Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton."
3. Karate cannot be learned quickly. Like a moving bull.
slowly, over time it travels a thousand miles. If one trains diligently all the
days, next, in three or four years one will come to understand the
karate. Those who train this way will discover karate.
4. In karate, the training of the hands and feet is important, because
one must be completely trained on the makiwara. In order to
to do this, drop your shoulders, open your lungs, take possession of your
strength, grip the ground with your feet, and sink your energy into the part
lower abdomen. Practice using each arm one to two hundred times
every day.
5. When practicing the Tang Te postures, be sure to maintain the
straight back, lower the shoulders, apply strength in the legs, stay steady
firm, and release your energy in the lower abdomen.
6. Practice each of the karate techniques repeatedly, the use of this
it passes from mouth to mouth. Learn the explanations well, and decide when
and how to apply it when necessary. Enter, counterattack, release
It is the rule of hand liberation (torite).
You must decide whether karate is for your health or to help with your duty.
8. When training, do it as if you were on the battlefield. Your
eyes must dazzle, the shoulders should drop and the body must harden.
One should always train with intensity and spirit, and in this way,
naturally, to be ready.
 9. One must not overtrain; this will lead to the loss of energy.
lower abdomen and it will be harmful to your body. Your face and
His eyes will turn red. Train with caution.
In the past, karate masters have enjoyed a long life.
helped by karate in the development of bones and muscles. Helps to the
digestion, as well as circulation. Karate should be introduced from
from primary schools, we will soon produce many men
each one able to defeat ten attackers. Moreover, I believe this can
to be due to having all the students in the Teachers' College practice
of Okinawa karate. In this way, after graduation, that
They can teach in the primary schools where they have been taught.
I believe this will be a great benefit for our nation and our
military. I hope that you will seriously consider my
suggestion.

Anko Itosu, letter from October 1908.

This letter was influential in the spread of Karate.

Some of the most important Katas of this style are:

Pinan
The Kata Pinan were introduced into the school systems in
Okinawa in 1895, and subsequently adopted by many teachers.
and schools in the 1900s. Therefore, they are present today in
the curriculum of Shito-Ryu, Wado-Ryu, Shorin-Ryu, Kobayashi-Ryu,
Kyokushin, Shinki-Ryu, Shorei-Ryu, Shotokan, Matsubayashi-Ryū, Shukokai
Shindo Ryu Jinen, Kosho-Ryu Kempo, Kenyu Ryu, and several other styles.
There are 5 ranks of this kata which are:
Pinan Nidan
2. Pinan Shodan
3. Pinan Sandan,
Pinan Yondan
5. Pinan Godan.
Kūsankū
Kusanku is a cornerstone of many styles of Karate.
characterized by the use of its fluid techniques that resemble the
found in the white crane of Kung Fu; It also has a wide
variety of open hand techniques.
In the Shotokan style, Kanku-dai consists of 65 executed movements.
in about 90 seconds. It is an important form of the kata; its form of
lesser importance equivalent is called Kanku-Sho.

Chintō
It is an advanced kata practiced in many styles of karate.
Furthermore, it is very dynamic as it employs a diverse number of postures.
(including the rare crane pose), unusual height strikes that vary
quickly, and a rare one-legged pivot. It is often said that
Chintō must be performed while facing east.

Naihanchi
It is a karate Kata, performed in the straddle stance.
the forms make use of combat and grappling techniques, nowadays, there are 3
modern katas derived from this (Shodan, Nidan, and Sandan).
Although the Kata is performed linearly, it can be applied from
any angle against an attacker, side by side of the movements in
a low position helps to build the balance and strength necessary for the
quick footwork and body movement.

Passai
There are various variations of these katas, including Passai sho and
Passai dai, in the styles of Okinawa and Bassai, the Kata is known
Generally like Passai, the focus of this Kata lies in the idea of
turning a disadvantage into an advantage through a strong response
and brave, changing blocks and different levels of power. The execution of
The kata must be precise, with a quick execution of the technique and attention.
which lends itself to an adequate balance between speed and power.
Jion
It is the representative kata in the Shotokan system due to the
importance of the perfection of the basic postures it contains,
particular zenkutsu dachi (posición para caminar) y (posición de caballo) kiba
Dachi. It is also practiced in some organizations Shito-Ryu, also
emphasizes dachi Kokutsu, the kata is significantly shorter than its
Shotokan counterpart.
Rohai
This kata originated from the Tomari-te school of martial arts.
from Okinawa. He was called Matsumora Rohai, later Kosaku Matsumora,
which was presumably its inventor. Ankō Itosu later took this kata
and developed three katas from it: Rohai shodan, Rohai Nidan, and Sandan Rohai.
In modern karate, some styles teach the three katas (like Shito Ryu).
Gojushiho
Gojushiho was developed by one of the karate masters of
Okinawa, 'Sokon Matsumura' called it 'Uesheishi' under the fluency.
of Chinese Kung Fu. In some styles of karate, there are two versions of this
kata - Gojushiho Sho and Gojushiho Dai. An advantage of the two versions of
the kata is to better master the difficult techniques that are presented in it, but
not without facing some confusion, for many sequences are the
the same and the others only slightly different.