SEIDOKAN
KARATE KOBUDO
By
Roy J. Hobbs and
C. Michial Jones
Many karate styles
and sub-styles on Okinawa are actually composites of older styles.
Among these is Seidokan karate kobudo, whose founder is Toma Shian.
The style came into existence in 1968 when Toma called his dojo
"Seidokan," meaning the "place of the correct or
proper way." In 1974, the Zen Okinawa Seidokan Karate Kobudo
Renmei was formed to better serve its growing number of dedicated
practitioners throughout the world. The style's core is Shorin-ryu
with influences from Motobu-ryu, Okinawa Kenpo, and Goju-ryu.
To better understand the style's development, a more detailed
analysis of the founder's martial arts history is presented.
Toma Shian was born
on the island of Okinawa on November 23, 1930. He first studied
karate at the age of 16 in Osaka, on the island of Honshu (the
main island of Japan), where he lived for some time during World
War II. Upon his return to Okinawa, he began to study from policeman
Shinjato Sokichi. Shinjato had studied under Miyagi Chojun (1888-1953),
the founder of Goju-ryu, and Shimabukuro Tatsuo (1908-1975), prior
to Shimabukuro's founding of Isshin-ryu in 1956. From Shinjato,
Toma Shian learned the kata Sanchin, Seisan, Chinto, Kusanku,
and Tokumine no Kun (a six-foot staff form).
Toma has related on
numerous occasions, that, in the early years, there was not the
wide differentiation of styles that we know today. Karate was
simply karate. Another interesting point is, in the early days,
most teachers taught only a small number of kata. In fact, it
would not have been uncommon to find a teacher who taught only
one kata. However, as there was comparison and sharing of kata,
the number grew.
With respect to the
small number of kata, it should not be concluded that there was
little kata practice. Toma notes that he spent over a year learning
and practicing kata Seisan before going on to Sanchin. Perhaps
this is one reason why many of the old Okinawan masters are so
strict as to the precise execution of the kata. A highlight of
Toma Shian's early training was his demonstration of kata Sanchin
before Miyagi Chojun during a training session at the police academy.
Toma learned Pinan
1-5, Naihanchi, Passai-sho, basic (kihon) six-foot staff (bo)
kata, and sai (a forked, metal truncheon) kata from a teacher
with the family name of Uchima. Uchima had been a student of Motobu
Toraju, who was believed to be a cousin of Motobu Choyu (Motobu-ryu).
Toma Shian learned tonfa (wooden grist-mill handles) kata from
Odo Seikichi (Ryukyu Hon Kenpo Kobujutsu) in exchange for Tokumine
no Kun. He learned a sickle (kama) kata from Ire Matsutaro.
The story behind how
he came to learn this kama kata is very interesting. He and a
couple of other relatively young karateka went to Ire, who was
noted for his sickle technique, and asked him to teach them. Ire
was very old at the time and his memory was failing, and he eventually
passed away in 1971 at the age of 92. Each time Toma and the others
trained with Ire, the kata changed. As a result, the others gave
up out of frustration. Toma stuck with it and eventually took
the varying versions and synthesized them into a single kata,
preserving the Ire's sickle techniques for all time.
Okinawa's martial arts
political scene has changed often over the years. Toma Shian was
a junior member of the Okinawa branch of the All-Japan Karate
Federation in the 1950's. The federation was under the leadership
of Toyama Kanken (founder of Shudokan). Senior members included
Shimabukuro Eizo (Shobayashi Shorin-ryu), Shimabukuro Tatsuo,
Nakamura Shigeru (Okinawa Kenpo), Nakazato Joen (Shorinji-ryu),
and Kanashima Shinsuke (Tozan-ryu). Other junior members included
Toma Seiki (Shorin-ryu), Kise Fusei (Matsumura Seito Shorin-ryu,
later founder of Kenshinkan Shorin-ryu), Kuda Yuichi (Okinawa
Kenpo/ Matsumura Seito Shorin-ryu/later, founder of Matsumura
Kenpo), and Maeshiro Shuzen (Shorin-ryu).
It has been thought
by some that Toma Shian was a student of both Toma Seiki and Maeshiro
Shuzen. However, in recent interviews with Toma Shian, he stated
emphatically that he was never a student of either. He believes
this misconception perhaps came about because they were all members
of the All-Japan Karate Federation and they practice many of the
same kata. It could also be because some have mistakenly thought
he and Toma Seiki are related, which they are not. Lastly, to
add to the confusion, both use similar names for their respective
associations. Toma Shian calling his association the Zen Okinawa
Seidokan Karate Kobudo Renmei and Toma Seiki calling his the Shorin-ryu
Karate-do Seidokan Kyokai.
The All-Japan Karate
Federation split into a number of factions in 1962. Sparring methodology
was one of the most contentious issues leading to the split. The
most widely accepted method of sparring in the main islands of
Japan was, and still is, the sport-oriented "controlled contact"
variety. Most All-Japan Karate Federation members felt that this
"controlled contact" sparring should be taught, practiced,
and officially sanctioned. By utilizing this sparring method,
it was hoped to create a popular sport like judo.
This was counter to
the traditional full-contact method used by many on Okinawa, with
its main aim being combative effectiveness. Their method employed
body armor similar to that used in kendo. It was quite brutal
and knockouts were not uncommon. Since one of the All-Japan Karate
Federation's main goals was to integrate the karate of Okinawa,
now part of Japan, with the sport karate of the main islands,
conflict naturally arose. Many, like Toma Shian, had been brought
up in the "hard" way and felt it was the true Okinawan
way.
When the split occurred,
the Okinawa Kenpo Renmei was formed, made up of similarly traditional
hard and tough individuals, led by Nakamura Shuguru and Shimabukuro
Zenryo. Other prominent members included Odo Seikichi, Kuda Yuichi,
and Oyata Seiyu (Ryukyu Kenpo). It thrived for several years until
its members eventually drifted away to join other groups.
While a member of the
Okinawa Kenpo Renmei, Toma Shian learned additional kata that
are now part of Seidokan's standard repertoire: Ananku, Wansu,
Passai, and Gojushiho. He also revised his Seisan kata to bring
it in line with the version practiced within this association.
Among the various groups
then on Okinawa, two in particular recognized the contributions
of prominent teachers by awarding them master rank. Formed in
1961, the Okinawa Kobudo Kyokai awarded master rank to Toma Shian,
Toma Seiki, Soken Hohan (Matsumura Seito Shorin-ryu), Shimabukuro
Tatsuo, Nakamura Shigeru, Nakazato Joen, Taira Shinken (kobudo),
Matayoshi Shinpo (kobudo), Uehara Seikichi (Motobu-ryu), Miyazato
Eiko (Goju-ryu/Koho-ryu), Higa Seiko (Goju-ryu), Kina Shosei (Ufuchiku
Den Kobujutsu), Nakaima Kenko (Ryuei-ryu), and others.
Around 1967, the Okinawa
Karate Kobudo Renmei presented master grades to Toma Shian, Soken
Hohan, Shimabukuro Tatsuo, Maeshiro Shuzen (Shorin-ryu), Kojo
Kafa (Kojo-ryu), Kanashima Shinsuke, Matayoshi Shinpo, Nakaima
Kenko, and others. It should be noted that Toma Shian was among
those receiving master ranking from both groups.
A few years later,
Toma Shian was awarded master rank by the Okinawa Kenpo Karate
Kobudo League, whose president was Nakaima Kenko.
In the early 1970's,
Toma Shian belonged to the Chubu Shorin-ryu Karate-do Rengokai.
This association was affiliated with other prominent organizations
on the island such as the All-Okinawa Karate Renmei and the Okinawa
Karate-do Rengokai. Along with Toma Shian, founding members of
the Chubu Shorin-ryu Association included Nakazato Joen, Kanashima
Shinsuke, and Aragaki Seiki.
Toma Shian went on
to become a member of the Okinawa Karate Kobudo Renmei headed
by Uehara Seikichi. He also became a personal student of Uehara.
Uehara was, and is currently, the head of the Motobu-ryu system
of Okinawa martial arts (bujutsu). Motobu-ryu, or more correctly
"Motobu Udundi ("Goten-te" in Japanese, "Palace
Hand"), is relatively little known outside Okinawa. Uehara
learned his art from Motobu Choyu, the older brother of the renowned
Motobu Choki. Motobu Choyu originally learned the techniques,
both weaponry and unarmed methods, that eventually became known
as Motobu-ryu, from "Bushi" (warrior) Matsumura Sokon.
The art is referred to as "Palace Hand" because of its
association with the royal court of the Okinawan kings. To the
untrained eye, it can resemble aikido in its unarmed methods.
However, the throwing and joint-locking techniques are more similar
to Japanese aikijujutsu or Chinese Qinna. The style's weaponry
includes such things as Chinese broad swords, Japanese long sword
(katana), spear (yari), and halberd (naginata).
From Uehara, Toma Shian
learned the throwing, joint-locking, and quick-draw sword techniques
(iai waza) that he often teaches in his classes today. With the
inclusion of these techniques, Seidokan became a more complete
fighting art consisting of punching, striking, kicking, throwing,
joint locking, and a variety of weapons. It is this unique composite
system, along with his willingness to teach all comers that has
lead to the growth of Seidokan karate and kobudo.
The respect he garners
on Okinawa was made apparent when he became a founding member
of the Zen Ryukyu Butokukai and the Okinawa City Karate League.
He is also widely recognized for his contributions to the international
martial arts community. This is demonstrated by the high demand
for him to teach courses throughout the United States and Europe.
Shian Toma is truly a martial arts pioneer who has developed a
rich tradition that is now taught throughout the world.
Note: A special thanks to Boulahfa Mimoun Abdel-Lah, Dr. Stephen
Chan, Jody Paul, Dave Bardi, and Ron Nix for their assistance
in providing historical information.
1 This should
not be confused with the Motobu-ryu karatejutsu of Motobu Choki,
the younger brother of Motobu Choyu. The Motobu-ryu Karatejutsu
Association is under the leadership of Motobu Chomei, Choki's
son, who is now a student of Uehara Seikichi and learning the
Motobu-ryu udundi.
2 Prior to
that, Shimabukuro referred to his style as either Shorin-ryu or
Chan Mi-gwa-ryu. Chan Mi-gwa was the nickname of Shimabukuro's
teacher, Kyan Chotoku, and meant Kyan "Small Eyes."
3 Odo's primary
kobujutsu instructor was Matayoshi Shinko (1888-1945).
4 Toma Seiki
studied under Kaneshima Shinsuke, Nagamine Shoshin (Matsubayashi
Shorin-ryu), and Shimabukuro Tatsuo. He also received kata corrections
from Shimabukuro Zenryo (Seibukan Shorin-ryu). Indications are
that Toma Seiki studied with Nagamine about the same time as Kuniba
Shogo (Shito-ryu), Hayashi Teruo (Shito-ryu), and Oshima Tsutomu
(Shotokan) visited Nagamine for special instruction. An interesting
aside is that Odo Seikichi, the founder of Ryukyu Hon Kenpo Kobujutsu,
is a former student of Toma Seiki.
For your info,
this article appeared in the March 2002 edition of "Traditional
Karate", a British martial arts magazine.
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