The Shorin-Ryu Karate USA
Museum & Learning Annex

Shorin-Ryu USA has been presented with a "kouki". In the native language of our Shinden, "kouki" means both "opportunity" and "challenge."

Although we can trace the art of Shorin-Ryu back to an 18th Century Chinese military officer, the early history of Karate is cloaked in mystery. We know that it was illegal for the early practitioners of To-de and Okinawan-te to own weapons or to train in empty-hand or China-hand techniques. This forced our Shinden to train in secrecy ... to keep no written records, and to strictly limit access to their knowledge of martial arts.

First-hand knowledge of our history begins with Ankichi Arakaki (1899-1927), uncle of Master Ueshiro. Arakaki Sensei, more than anyone else, influenced the inner attitude and outer practice of Master Nagamine, a most important Sensei of Master Ueshiro. These are Shinden. We honor their dedication to Shorin-Ryu, their commitment to preserving the art and their willingness to share their knowledge and experience with us.

Shorin-Ryu Karate USA has a history. Now, it is kept in the teachings, writings, artifacts and possessions of our current Shinden. It is our "kouki" to preserve this body of knowledge and to provide a permanent home for our posterity. This will be the "kouki" of the Shorin-Ryu Museum & Learning Annex.

Imagine a center of learning, rich, with the history of our system on display. Drawings, writings and old photographs of our Shinden ... weapons, trophies, gi, obi and historical documents preserved and properly cataloged. Imagine permanent exhibits tracing the history of the Ryukyu Islands, its people and our martial arts. Imagine exhibits presented by each Dojo in the system honoring their contributions to Shorin-Ryu. Imagine a complete library of tournament, belt-promotion, doshokai and martial arts-oriented videotapes available for reference and a library of the collected writings of Shorin-Ryu deshi.

Imagine comfortable living quarters available to visitors, a Japanese gold-fish pond and meditation garden ... a dynamic environment where each of us will come to train, to learn and to help evolve the art and history of Shorin-Ryu.

Domo arigato to all who have contributed time and funds in the effort to meet this "kouki".