Shorinji-ryu was founded in 1954 by Jyoen Nakazato (1922 -), who performed under Chotoku Kyan (1870-1945), the master of Shuri-te style.
Chotoku Kyan taught by Sokon Matsumura and others in seven different Seisan kata, kata naifanchi, Wanshu, Passai, Gojushiho, Chinto Kusanku and, in addition to Tokumine no jutsu in Kon Bo. He took the principle of never changing the kata throughout his life. Based on ideas and phylosophy of Chotoku Kyan, Jyoen Nakazato created the Shorin-ji with the idea of a return to origins in all aspects, as a reaction to modern karate kata where the change one after another.
Kusanku, a typical kata Shorinji-ryu
This is an old kata of Shuri-te style, which was introduced by a Chinese military official called Kusanku. It offers a variety of offensive and defensive techniques and a solid sense of rhythm. Kaleidoscopic techniques, ready for attack from all sides, are brave and yet graceful, and have both a sense of majesty and lightness. Sokuto (kick with sharp outer edge of the foot) and yokogeri (side kick) appear at every turn. The spirit of Karate or feel nashi (There is no first attack in karate) is specifically expressed in the first technique. The Enbu-sen (fight against a line of position) in the shape of Chinese character of Kome (rice) is one of the characteristics of this kata.
