Shorinji-Ryu is a traditional martial art that is practiced around the world. Originally practiced in Okinawa, Shorinji-Ryu is one of many schools or ‘ryu’ of karatedo. It is a system that teaches unarmed techniques (kicking, punching, blocking, throws, joint locks, ground control), weapons, and meditation. A highly effective martial art, the goal is to develop the body, mind, and character. Through rigorous physical and mental training, members work to bring body and mind into harmony.

The formal name for our system of karatedo is Ogasawara-Ha (Sakugawa Koshiki) Shorinji-Ryu Karatedo. Ogasawara-Ha identifies our school’s lineage specifically through the Ogasawara family. Sakugawa Koshiki Shorinji-Ryu roughly translates as “Sakugawa Orthodox Shaolin Temple System“. The name characterizes the system’s emphasis on the classical katas and theories of the tradition founded by “Tode” Sakugawa (c. 1733-1815), who is viewed by most karate historians as a founder of the modern karate tradition in Okinawa. It also emphasizes its legendary derivation from the Chinese Shaolin tradition. Also important, the addition of the suffix “-do” to “Karate” further explicates its relationship to the Japanese Budo tradition and to Zen.

Ogasawara-Ha (Sakugawa Koshiki) Shorinji-Ryu has therefore retained the classical karate of Okinawa, including both the katas and the theory of the empty hand traditions. In addition, it has augmented this tradition with techniques from classical Japanese martial arts, and integrated them into a highly effective martial art.

Kobudo studies include the use of traditional Okinawan and Japanese weapons such as the bo, sai, tonfa, eku, kama, jo, and bokken. The curriculum practices Yuishinkai Kobujutsu and a kobudo system proprietary to Ogasawara-Ha. These include the classical and universal kobudo katas as preserved from Okinawa and Japan.

Sakugawa is considered the progenitor of karate, with most karate styles claim descent from his teachings. Sakugawa’s student, Matsumura, was another legendary figure in Okinawan martial arts whose students include Itosu and Hanishiro. Hanishiro continued to train under Itosu after Matsumura’s death. Itosu’s students founded many of the main karate schools practiced today, including Funakoshi (Shotokan), Chibana (Shorin-Ryu), Mabuni (Shito-Ryu), Motobu (Motobu-Ryu), and Miyagi (Goju-Ryu).

Jiro Ogasawara, of the aristocratic Ogasawara family of Aomori Ken in Northern Honshu, began learning karate from Hanishiro in 1926 when sent to Okinawa as an Ambassador. Upon returning to Japan, Jiro Ogasawara combined the karate he learned in Okinawa with aspects of the Ogasawara system of Ryujin Kempo to form Sakugawa Koshiki Shorinji-Ryu Karate-do for teaching to the public.

Ogasawara-Ha (Sakugawa Koshiki) Shorinji-Ryu is part of the Isshinkaikan Institute of Karatedo and is registered with the Japanese Ministry of Education as a Fine Art.  Rankings are certified by the Zen Tohoku Karatedo Kempo Kumiai (All Northern Japan Karatedo and Kempo Union), a prefectural division of the Japan Karate Federation (JKF), and are recognized worldwide.

More detailed information on the history of Ogasawara-Ha lineage of Sakugawa Koshiki Shorinji-Ryu is available on the national website.

The Symbol above is the official crest of Ogasawara-Ha (Sakugawa Koshiki) Shorinji-Ryu Karate-Do and is protected by copyright.
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