THE SHINJINBUKAN SYSTEM — TRAINING AIDES
These articles are based on training notes and memoirs of my studies with Onaga Yoshimitsu Kaichō. Jimmy Mora.
SECTION 1 — TI vs. KARATE
SECTION 2 — SHŌRIN RYŪ CURRICULUM
SECTION 3 — DIGITAL ARCHIVES
From 1991 to 1995, during my initial training at the Honbu Dōjō in Okinawa, I learned a curriculum taught equally to children and adults. And I realized that the purpose of a Sho Dan curriculum is to prepare students for the life-long study of Ti. Therefore, obtaining a black belt is the beginning of the road and not the end.
As martial artists, physical conditioning is not our ultimate goal, but just the vehicle for martial arts training. Indeed, body conditioning is very important at every age, but beyond working out, Karate should aim for developing good technique, understanding the applications, practicing forms and ultimately learning to use Ti.
For example, hitting the makiwara is all about technique and not about muscular strength. Anyone who can bench press 350 pounds doesn't necessarily have the strength or technique to hit the makiwara 500 times with the right combination of speed, power and accuracy. And probably, a martial artists who is able to hit the makiwara 500 times with excellent technique, is probably not able to bench press 350 pounds.
Upon my return, to the United States in 1995, Onaga Sensei and his daughter Michiko wrote down the program all the curriculum listed below. That was my shukyudai or life-long homework, rather than a list of rules. The teaching methodology should always flexible and adaptable to each student. It is normal and acceptable to find variations in the curriculum among Onaga Sensei's deshi. Below, I list several ways to classify the Shōrin Ryū curriculum:
SHO DAN BASIC PROGRAM
The Sho Dan Basic Program listed below is designed to teach from beginner level to Sho Dan (first-degree black belt). And it is divided into 25 learning blocks. It was always adapted on a case-by-case basis and used as a guideline to emphasize the strong points of the Shinjinbukan System.
Unit 1 — Reigi Sahō. Basic Etiquette, Respect & Costumes.
Unit 2 — Keiko Gi No Kikata, Tatami Kata. Uniform wearing, use of the Dojo floor.
Unit 3 — Yobiundō. Body conditioning excersises.
Unit 4 — Tsuki Kata, Nigiri Kata. Hand strike form, grabbing form
Unit 5 — Keri, Mae Geri, Zenkutsudachi Tachikata. Foot strike, Frontal foot strike, Front Stance Form
Unit 6 — Tachikata. Stances
Unit 7 — Yoko Geri, Mawashi Geri. Lateral foot strike, Round kick
Unit 8 — Uke Kata. Blocking Form
Unit 9 — Dai Ichi Kihon Gata no Chūdan Tsuki. First Basic Form with mid-level hand strike
Unit 10 — Dai Ichi Kihon Gata no Jyoodan Tsuki. First Basic Form with high-level hand strike
Unit 11 — Dai Ichi Kihon Gata no Age Uke. First Basic Form with rising block.
Unit 12 — Naifuanchi Sho Dan. First Naifuanchi Form.
Unit 13 — Pinan Ni Dan. Second Pinan Form.
Unit 14 — Pinan San Dan. Third Pinan Form.
Unit 15 — Pinan Sho Dan. First Pinan Form.
Unit 16 — Naifuanchi Ni Dan. Second Naifuanchi Form.
Unit 17 — Dai Ni Kihon Gata. Second Basic Form.
Unit 18 — Pinan Yon Dan. Fourth Pinan Form.
Unit 19 — Pinan Go Dan. Fifth Pinan Form.
Unit 20 — Naifuanchi San Dan. Third Naifuanchi Form.
Unit 21 — Tenshin. Movement or Body Displacement.
Unit 22 — Makiwara. Striking Board.
Unit 23 — Passai no Sho. Passai, the minor.
Unit 24 — Kusanku Sho. Kusanku, the minor.
Unit 25 — Chintō.
KIHON GATA
Kihon Gata means Basic Form. The word Gata is a phonetic variation of Kata, because it is not correct to say Kihon Kata in Japanese. On the other hand, Tenshin, which means movement, are drills used to train movement on specific stances. According to Onaga Sensei, these movement drills are very ancient and have been passed down for generations, before the time of modern Karate styles. Both Kihon Gatas & Tenshin drills are basic forms learned from day one in order to develop a good technique.
1. Dai Ichi Kihon Gata (created by Chibana Chōshin Sensei)
2. Dai Ni Kihon Gata (created by Onaga Yoshimitsu Sensei)
3. Neko Ashi Tenshin (Cat Stance Movement)
4. Shiko Dachi Tenshin (Horse Stance Movement)
5. Sankaku Tenshin (Triangular Movement)
6. Sanchin Tenshin (created by Onaga Yoshimitsu Sensei)
KATAS BY RANK
These are all the official Shinjinbukan Shōrin Ryū Katas listed by rank or belt, taught at the Honbu Dōjō. However, there are some other Shōrin Ryū Katas not listed here, that are taught in other Karate styles.
INTRO SECTION 1 SECTION 2 SECTION 3
