Matsumura Orthodox Shōrin-ryū

Matsumora Orthodox Shorin Ryu is a style of martial art that was brought to Okinawa by a Chinese envoy named Kusanku. In Okinawa, Kusanku’s style was combined with the local style of boxing named Te (hand) and became known as Kara-Te (first China Hand and then Empty Hand). Sokon (Bushi) Matsumura, the royal bodyguard and chief instructor of 3 Okinawan kings, perfected this art and handed it down through direct family lineage. Nabe Matsumura (the grandson of Sokon Matsumura) taught the style to his nephew, Hohan Soken, who went on to found Matsumura Seito (Orthodox) Shōrin-ryū to distinguish it as containing the original kata as taught by Bushi Matsumura. Our dojo teaches the original katas that were developed by Matsumura. Our kata stress the actual combat applications of the art, including nerve strikes, grappling, body alignment and pressure point techniques. Kata truly is the heart of karate as it teaches us self-discipline, how to breath, functions as a catalog of all of the techniques of the system we practice, gives us an opportunity to practice outside of the dojo, and finally teaches us the lesson of life-long self-improvement and pursuit of mastery. Kata polishes the mind, spirit, and body all at the same time.

Shorin Ryu Kata

  • Tao Lung Shodan

  • Fukyu Shodan

  • Fukyu Nidan

  • Naihanchi Shodan

  • Naihanchi Nidan

  • Naihanchi Sandan

  • Pinan Shodan

  • Pinan Nidan

  • Tao Lung Nidan (School Form)

  • Wansu

  • Ananku

  • Seisan

  • Pasai Sho

  • Pasai Dai

  • Matsumura Rohai

  • Tomari Rohai

  • Chinto

  • Kusanku

  • Gojushiho

  • Ryushoken

  • Gohoken

  • To all those whose progress remains hampered by ego-related distractions, let humility - the spiritual cornerstone upon which Karate rests - serve to remind one to place virtue before vice, values before vanity and principles before personalities.

    Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura

  • Spirit first, technique second.

    Gitchen Funakoshi

  • Karate may be referred to as the conflict within yourself, or a life-long marathon which can be won only through self-discipline, hard training, and your own creative efforts.

    Shoshin Nagamine

  • Karate-do is definitely a martial way, and its identity lies in do or principles. Any martial art without proper training of the mind turns into beastly behavior.

    Shoshin Nagamine

Characteristics of Matsumora Orthodox Shorin Ryu

At Crane Karate Academy, you’ll learn Okinawan katas and self-defense techniques that incorporate hand strikes, elbow strikes, kicks, knees, joint locks, and throws. We incorporate body conditioning, calisthenics, sparring, and breaking to build confidence, focus, strength, and speed. You will find that we place significant emphasis on developing basics and conditioning to create a solid foundation for both health and to allow people to safely execute the more advanced techniques of our system. At the foundational layer, our style incorporates hard blocks and strikes. As you progress into the more intermediate and advanced levels of skill, our system transitions to a much softer style focusing on flow, control, and quickly stopping an attacker. Students will progress at a rate that is comfortable for them and will only be asked to perform at a level that is appropriate to their limitations, strengths, and weaknesses. Training and requirements can be modified to account for any life circumstances. Please freely ask for any accommodations that you require and let your instructor know of any injuries you have at the start of each class.