History
History
The history I have is mostly taken from common knowledge and reading martial arts books, and from Robert Rivers Sensei. His dojo is the AKK Shin Dojo, in Stafford, Virginia. The website is www.VirginiaKempo.com---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The History of the Martial Arts, in general, is wild and at times confusing. There are literally hundreds of different styles of martial arts today. In days of old, what made one's martial art reputable was a strong and documented lineage...similar to a pedigree. The more solid the martial art, the longer it will be around. The longer it is around, the more confident one can be in its training practices. In terms of the martial arts taught at the Academy of Kempo-Karate Shin Dojo, there is a nearly unbroken lineage tracing back, usually, hundreds of years...not 40 or 50 years. Here is a brief (and at times confusing) look back at why we do things the way we do... Karate Do- The art of Karate has a long and winding history starting in China. Several Chinese martial arts philosophies were absorbed by the people of the Ryu Kyu (Okinawan) islands and evolved into what was called "Ti" or "ways of using the hand". Okinawan masters often paid tribute to their Chinese martial arts heritage by referring to their art as "To Di (Ti)" or "China Hand". In the early 1900's, Ti was introduced to the Japanese mainland by notable masters such as Motobu, Miyagi, Mabuni and Funakoshi. Ti, being the Okinawan (Hogen) pronounciation of the Japanese (Nihongo) "Te" (Hand) was changed to the term "Kara (empty) Te (hand)". In Okinawa, there are several lines of what is popularly known as Okinawan Karate. Shorin Ryu, Goju Ryu, Uechi Ryu, Ryuei Ryu, Shito Ryu, Okinawan Kempo and Isshin Ryu to name a few. The fact that Okinawa is only 60 miles long inevitably means that there are going to be many similarities between the different styles but also many differences. It is the differences that make the study of the martial arts so fulfilling. The style we teach is called Motobu-ha Shito Ryu Karate Do and dates back to the days when Founder Kosei Kuniba trained in Osaka under the great Motobu Choki. AKK Instructors also have an extensive background in Shorin Ryu and Goju Ryu which gives them a great outlook on the history and philosophies of the Okinawan martial arts. Recently (July 2005) Shin Dojo had the honor of hosting Motobu Choki's son, Motobu Chosei for the Tri-State Yudanshikai Kenkyukai Motobu 2005 International seminar. A more in depth history of our line of Shito Ryu can be found at International Seishinkai Karate-Do Union Kempo- Kempo is a term that was oftentimes used by martial artists to describe the many characteristics of martial arts technique. Before Ti was called karate, it was occasionally referred to as "Kempo" or "Kenpo" meaning "fist methods". However, it is simply another way of learning and practicing the same martial arts philosophies that have spread through Asia for over 2,000 years. Our style of Kempo emphasizes self defense and ultra-efficient techniques from the martial arts systems of Okinawa, Japan, China and Korea. Jujutsu- Jujutsu is the method of using balance manipulation through joint locking or throwing, off-balancing and pressure point manipulation. AKK teaches a classical style of Jujutsu with roots in true Samurai unarmed combat. It is still taught today as a combat art with direct application to the battlefield. Jujutsu was the art practiced and mastered by the samurai as their unarmed method of defense/ offense. Other arts with roots in classical Jujutsu are Aikido, Judo, Hapkido, and Brazillian Jujitsu. Iaido- The Shin Dojo is proud to be a member of the Suimokai, a headquarters for Mugai Ryu Iaihyodo in Japan. The organization is headed by Niina Gyokusui, Gosoke, the 16th Generation head of this 300 year old sword system. Mr. Rivers has been studying Iaido for 12 years, the last 3 years with Niina Gyokusui Sensei and the Suimokai. The International Director for Suimokai is Renfield Kuroda and the US Director for Mugai Ryu Suimokai is Mr. Tony Alvarez. All aspects of our martial arts are available for study. We are a full time dojo with direct links to Japan. Students are expected to honor and respect the arts that are available to them by training diligently.