Introduction to Shorin Ryu Karate
Shorin Ryu Karate is believed to be one of the two main styles of karate that have been reported to have been originated in Okinawa. Most of the modern forms of karate have been greatly influenced by this ancient school of martial arts. The great martial art leader Sokon Matsumura, who was also referred to as "Bushi" was the founder of this form of karate. Another leader, Itosu Yasutsune is also said to have contributed extensively to the development and promotion of this style. Ever since this art was invented, it has been followed extensively by people in different parts of the world. With time, the art of Shorin Ryu Karate got divided into three distinctive groups namely the Shobayashi-Ryu which stands for the small forest school which was introduced by Chotoku Kyan, the Kobayashi-Ryu which means the young forest school which was designed by Choshin Chibana ; and the Matsubayashi-Ryu which refers to the pine forest school which was formulated by Shoshin Nagamine. All these three martial art form names have been inspired from the Chinese Shaolin Temple.






