The History of Toku-Ryu
By Todd Mollan
By Todd Mollan
In the following paragraphs, I have done my best to outline the
history of Toku-ryu Karate Kobudo. The dates are all approximate though I am
fairly confident that they are all at least sequentially accurate. In any
event, much of this information has been compiled from 2nd-hand sources
(although most of it I have personally verified during my last trip to
Okinawa). My special thanks to all the people that made that trip possible:
Toma Sensei, Tamae Sensei and his family, Nix Sensei and his wife, and Stiltner
Sensei. Also I would like to thank Hobbs sensei for all the historical research
that he has done that seems to be scattered all over the web (I am trying to
consolidate it as I write this essay).
Toku-ryu is very closely related to a system of Okinawan Karate known as
Seidokan Karate Kobudo. It should come as no surprise then, that the next step
up the genealogical latter is indeed Seidokan Karate. Seidokan was created by a
man named Shian Toma (sometimes spelled Sian Toma). Shian Toma was born on the
island of Okinawa in 1929 and began his journey at 16 years of age. At the time
he was forced to move to Osaka and it was here that he first began to learn
about the martial arts. When he returned to his home town in Okinawa, he began
to study with Sokishi Shijnato Sensei. Master Shijnato was a student of the
world renowned founder of Goju-ryu Karate-do, Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953).
Sokishi only taught Toma four kata and was known for his strict and rigorous
methods.
Later on, Toma had the opportunity to train with a man named Zenryo Shimabuku (died 1975). Shimabuku Sensei taught him a system of Karate called Shigeru-ryu. It was at this point that he learned a good deal more kata.
Shimabuku Sensei taught Toma Sensei most of the kata included in Seidokan. Such kata are: Wanshu, Anaku, Passai, Pinan 1-5, Naihanchi, Passai Sho, Gojushiho, Kusanku, Chinto, Bo Kata, Sai Kata, Tonfa Kata, and Kama Kata. These kata added more substance to the art and drew Seidokan into the mainstream of Shorin-ryu Karate-do.
Soke Toma was and still is known as a very tough man. He subscribed to the more traditional, "harder" methods of Karate. He felt that it was the true Okinawan way. He is well respected for his fighting abilities both inside and outside of the dojo. Today Soke Toma has gained much respect within the martial arts world.
Before Toma created Seidokan, there was Motobu-ryu Karate-do. This was where Grandmaster Seikichi Uehara came into the picture (circa 1969). Grandmaster Uehara is the head of the Motobu-Ryu system of Bujutsu. The Motobu Ryu system is a not at all well known Okinawan Martial Art. It resembles the old fighting methods of the Japanese Samurai. To look at, it is like a strange version of Aikido.
Grandmaster Uehara learned his art from Choyu Motobu, the elder brother of Choki Motobu. Choyo originally learned the techniques (Karate and Kobudo) from "Bushi" Sokon Matsumura himself. These techniques make up the Motobu-ryu art. Motobu ryu is also called "Go-Ten-Te", which translates to "Palace Hand". This is because the art was strongly associated with the Okinawan kings for many centuries.
The weaponry of Grandmaster Uehara's Motobu-ryu are common in traditional Japanese Bujitsu systems. These weapons are: the katana (sword), the yari (spear), and the naginata (halberd).
Grandmaster Uehara taught Toma many of the throwing, joint-locking, and Iai waza (quick draw sword techniques) that are now included in Seidokan. With these new techniques, Seidokan was changed into a complete fighting art. The art includes the kicking, punching and blocking techniques of Karate, the throwing and joint-locking techniques of Aiki-jitsu, the traditional weaponry of Okinawa, and the sword techniques of the Samurai. It is an unusual and most interesting art, requiring open-mindedness on the part of the student.
It was at this time that Stiltner Sensei entered the picture. He drew from the techniques of Karate-do (Seidokan), Ju Jitsu (Hakkoryu), Tae Kwon-do, Iai-do, and boxing to create Toku-Ryu Karate Kobudo. More specific information regarding the art can be found elsewhere on this web page.
Later on, Toma had the opportunity to train with a man named Zenryo Shimabuku (died 1975). Shimabuku Sensei taught him a system of Karate called Shigeru-ryu. It was at this point that he learned a good deal more kata.
Shimabuku Sensei taught Toma Sensei most of the kata included in Seidokan. Such kata are: Wanshu, Anaku, Passai, Pinan 1-5, Naihanchi, Passai Sho, Gojushiho, Kusanku, Chinto, Bo Kata, Sai Kata, Tonfa Kata, and Kama Kata. These kata added more substance to the art and drew Seidokan into the mainstream of Shorin-ryu Karate-do.
Soke Toma was and still is known as a very tough man. He subscribed to the more traditional, "harder" methods of Karate. He felt that it was the true Okinawan way. He is well respected for his fighting abilities both inside and outside of the dojo. Today Soke Toma has gained much respect within the martial arts world.
Before Toma created Seidokan, there was Motobu-ryu Karate-do. This was where Grandmaster Seikichi Uehara came into the picture (circa 1969). Grandmaster Uehara is the head of the Motobu-Ryu system of Bujutsu. The Motobu Ryu system is a not at all well known Okinawan Martial Art. It resembles the old fighting methods of the Japanese Samurai. To look at, it is like a strange version of Aikido.
Grandmaster Uehara learned his art from Choyu Motobu, the elder brother of Choki Motobu. Choyo originally learned the techniques (Karate and Kobudo) from "Bushi" Sokon Matsumura himself. These techniques make up the Motobu-ryu art. Motobu ryu is also called "Go-Ten-Te", which translates to "Palace Hand". This is because the art was strongly associated with the Okinawan kings for many centuries.
The weaponry of Grandmaster Uehara's Motobu-ryu are common in traditional Japanese Bujitsu systems. These weapons are: the katana (sword), the yari (spear), and the naginata (halberd).
Grandmaster Uehara taught Toma many of the throwing, joint-locking, and Iai waza (quick draw sword techniques) that are now included in Seidokan. With these new techniques, Seidokan was changed into a complete fighting art. The art includes the kicking, punching and blocking techniques of Karate, the throwing and joint-locking techniques of Aiki-jitsu, the traditional weaponry of Okinawa, and the sword techniques of the Samurai. It is an unusual and most interesting art, requiring open-mindedness on the part of the student.
It was at this time that Stiltner Sensei entered the picture. He drew from the techniques of Karate-do (Seidokan), Ju Jitsu (Hakkoryu), Tae Kwon-do, Iai-do, and boxing to create Toku-Ryu Karate Kobudo. More specific information regarding the art can be found elsewhere on this web page.