Karate Home	The Matsubayashi Ryu Style

Founder Sensei Shoshin Nagamine

Okinawan Karate and Matsubayashi Ryu Much secrecy has surrounded the evolution and practice of the Chinese, Japanese and Okinawan martial arts. This was particularly so in Okinawa. During the 17th century, Okinawa was invaded by the Satsuma clan of mainland Japan. All weapons were confiscated and the Okinawans turned to their native self defence art of Te as their sole means of self defence. More than any single factor, it is was this occupation of Okinawa that led to the rapid and secret development of Te (closed hands). As chinese merchants travelled to Okinawa, and students of Te travelled to China new and different fighting forms caused the art of Te to undergo many changes. Between the 17th and 18th centuries Okinawa Te evolved to become Kara-Te (empty hands) In the early days, there were two main systems of Okinawa Te - Naha-Te and Shuri-Te both relate to regional districts in Okinawa. From these systems the many styles of Okinawan Karate evolved. Matsubayashi Ryu evolved from the Shuri-Te system and belongs to the Shorin Ryu family. The popular Goju-Ryu style evolved from the Naha-Te system. Karate emerged from its secrecy in the early 20th century and in the 1920’s it was introduced to mainland Japan. Its worldwide popularity increased significantly after 1945. Master Shoshin Nagamine founded the Matsubayashi Ryu hombu dojo in Naha city Okinawa in 1942.