Shōrinjiryū Kenkōkan Karate

Shōrinjiryū Kenkōkan Karate (少林寺流拳行館唐手?) is a style of karate founded by Kori Hisataka (Seiki Kudaka in Okinawan) (1907–1988) shortly after World War II in Japan.

The primary arts of Shōrinjiryū Kenkōkan Okinawan karate and Okinawan Kobudo, as taught to the founder by masters including Chotoku Kyan and Sanda Kanagusuku, as well as Judo, which Kori Hisataka studied at the Kodokan, obtaining the rank of 4th Dan after only 1 years training. Other component arts include Judo, Aikijutsu and Chinese Bājíquán, which the founder studied on his extensive tours of Japan, China and Asia.

The style is responsible for a number of innovations to karate training including:

• Use of the heel when kicking
• Whole body is put into action when executing a technique, using a follow through motion
• Use of the vertical fist (tate ken)
• Practice of yakusoku kumite
• Use of protective equipment to allow the karatedo student to test their techniques without having to hold back their power
• Practice of weapons (buki ho)

In some aspects, Shorinjiryu Karate has a strong resemblance to Japanese Koryu Budo, in that it has a great emphasis on 2 person pre-arrange drills (yakusoku kumite). One person kata is an important practice, and the main kata taught in the style in its early days were versions of Naihanchin, Nijushiho, Sanchin, Chinto and Kusanku, as well as a Bō (6 ft staff) kata (Shishiryu no Bo), a Jo (4 ft staff) kata and a Sai (iron truncheon) kata (Nijushiho no Sai). Other kata were introduced later, mainly by the son of the founder, Masayuki Hisataka.

Following Kori Hisataka's retirement in 1974, his son Masayuki Hisataka took over as head of the organization. He has expanded the reach of the style worldwide and trained karateka all over the world.