Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Butokukan is a branch of Kobayashi -Ryu from Okinawa, Japan. It is lead by Sokuichi Gibu, Hanshi/10th Dan who is considered one of the most senior Shorin-Ryu Karate instructors of his generation. The lineage of Butokukan is quite prestigious having it's curriculum and concepts built by some of the greatest masters of Shorin-Ryu karate- Gibu Sokuichi /Nakazato Shugoro/Chibana Choshin/Itosu Ankoh/Matsumura Soken.
There are three shibu dojo outside of Okinawa in the United States, Argentina and in South Africa and four dojo on Okinawa. In order to avoid political problems so common in large organizations, the Butokukan Association has remained highly selective in admitting new members placing a high value on honorable character traits and a desire to proliferate Ryukyu karate and traditions.
The Okinawa Shorin-Ryu Butokukan welcomes membership inquiries from dojos and students around the world. Correspondence regarding Butokukan and/or membership may be sent to the following addresses:
   budo@widomaker.com
 cmagnava@arnet.com.ar
 carel@shobudo.co.za
All applicants will be evaluated by the Shibu Cho(Branch Director), Board of Examiners and then a recommendation will be made to the So-Hombu in Okinawa. Prior Yudansha ranks are not necessarily transferred or recognized and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Like under many organizations on Okinawa, yudansha will be asked to drop a dan rank, especially in higher grades.
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Please do not inquire if you are:
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| 1) Hold multiple black belts from multiple organizations or have changed from a number of different styles or groups. |
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| 2) Concerned about maintaining current rank or testing for your next |
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| 3) A commercial school that promotes elementary school age black belts and rapidly promotes students through special programs. |
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Curriculum
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Tanren/Kigu Undo
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Traditional Okinawan training methods are focused on not only improving the effectiveness of techniques but also on protecting vital areas of the body.
In the Butokukan, students train in a variety of Kigu Undo (equipment training) such as nigiri game(earthen jars), chishi (power stone), ishi sashi (stone locks), Makiwara (striking post) and sunabukuro(sand bag). Ude and ashi tanren (arm and leg conditioning) are also emphasized to condition the body through methods such as kakie and kotekitai.
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Kata
The kata curriculum of Butokukan karate follows the same syllabus of Sokuichi Gibu's teacher, Shugoro Nakazato, Hanshi/10th Degree Black Belt, Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Karate. All students learn kihon and fukyugata in the early stages of training with the primary focus of kata study beginning with Naihanchi.
Empty Hand kata practiced:
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Kihon Ippon, Kihon Nihon, Kihon Sanbon, Kihon Yondan, Kihon Godan, Fukyugata Shodan, Fukyugata Nidan, Fukyugata Sandan,
Naihanchi Shodan, Naihanchi Nidan, Naihanchi Sandan, Pinan Shodan, Pinan Nidan, Pinan Sandan, Pinan Yondan, Pinan Godan,
Passai Sho, Passai Dai,Kusanku Sho, Kusanku Dai, Chinto, Gojushiho
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Kobudo kata practiced:
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Shushi No Kun, Kubo No Kun, Sakugawa no Kun,
Nunchaku ichi, Nunchaku ni,
Nakaima no Sai ichi, Nakaima no sai ni, Sai san no kata,
Tunfa no Kata, Eku no kata, Nakaima no Kama
Kobudo is part of the Butokukan curriculum and not a "seperate" rank certificate/cost.
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Kumite
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Contact free sparring (iri kumi) is emphasized with kicks to the legs, body, head and contact punching to the body. (Kyokushinkai rules) Dojos are welcome to practiced tournament style (sundome) kumite for competition but iri kumi is encouraged. |
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