The Shinjin-Ryu Okinawa-Te Kyokai (心仁流沖縄手協会) is an independent association entrusted with passing on and preserving the family martial art of Shinjin-Ryu, from the Tamaki (Tamagusuku) family of Okinawa.
"Shinjin-Ryu" (心仁流) - (シンジン流), translates to "The Way of the Unyielding Spirit”. The name rich in meaning and symbolism, chosen to represent the essence and philosophy of Kensei Tamaki's (ケンセイ タマキ ) (1898-1979) family art.
心 (Shin) means "heart" or "mind."
仁 (Jin) means "benevolence," "compassion," or "humanity."
流 (Ryū) means "style" or "system."
Shinjin-Ryu has its roots deeply embedded in the sands of Okinawa, where martial traditions have been cultivated for centuries.
Born from the vision of a humble Okinawan master, Kensei Tamaki, a seasoned martial artist with a deep reverence for tradition and an unquenchable thirst for innovation.
Shinjin-Ryu, a family art not known outside of a select few, with its Okinawan roots, stands as a testament to the island's enduring spirit. It reflects the history, culture, and indomitable will of the Okinawan people. In a world that constantly changes, Shinjin-Ryu remains a shining beacon, reminding us that the heart of Okinawa beats within each practitioner, nurturing their unyielding spirit and commitment to the path of martial excellence.
The true essence of Shinjin-Ryu as with other Okinawa-Te, is embodied in its 'kata'. The kata are a living record of its history and are used as the primary training method. Kata serve as a dictionary of fighting principles and techniques tested in combat. The self-defense and fighting applications of the kata are based on both long and close range fighting, containing grappling, joint locking and throwing, as well as 'kyusho jutsu' (vital point striking), as opposed to merely punching and kicking. Shinjin-Ryu has not been watered down or lost its original link to combative reality.
Shinjin-Ryu practitioners also learn to use traditional Okinawan weapons such as the bo, sai, and tonfa.
We are a small group of martial artists dedicated to preserving and promoting authentic Okinawan karate and kobudo. While Shinjin-Ryu may not be as widely practiced or recognized as some other martial arts, it retains a dedicated following among those who appreciate its focus on practical self-defense and its connection to Okinawan martial traditions. We aim to preserve of our family art, the cultural traditions and heritage we have been entrusted with, passing on those traditions to the next generation of dedicated students.
Shinjin-Ryu Okinawa-Te is based upon the kata of Anko Itosu and Choshin Chibana, and incorporating the techniques, princples and syllabus of Kensei Tamaki, and his son Katsumi Tamaki. Our open-hand kata has its roots in Shuri-te, with the later addition of kata from Naha-te, and Hakutsuru line.
(no direct instruction is inferred with Itosu & Chibana)
