Many karate styles and sub-styles on Okinawa are actually composites of older styles. Among these is Seidokan karate kobudo, whose founder is Toma Shian. The style came into existence in 1968 when Toma called his dojo "Seidokan," meaning the "place of the correct or proper way." In 1974, the Zen Okinawa Seidokan Karate Kobudo Renmei was formed to better serve its growing number of dedicated practitioners throughout the world. The style's core is Shorin-ryu with influences from Motobu-ryu1, Okinawa Kenpo, and Goju-ryu. To better understand the style's development, a more detailed analysis of the founder's martial arts history is presented.

Toma Shian was born on the island of Okinawa on November 23, 1929. He first studied karate at the age of 16 in Osaka, on the island of Honshu (the main island of Japan), where he lived for some time during World War II. Upon his return to Okinawa, he began to study from policeman Shinjato Sokichi. Shinjato had studied under Miyagi Chojun (1888-1953), the founder of Goju-ryu, and Shimabukuro Tatsuo (1908-1975), prior to Shimabukuro's founding of Isshin-ryu in 19562. From Shinjato, Toma Shian learned the kata Sanchin, Seisan, Chinto, Kusanku, and Tokumine no Kun (a six-foot staff form).

Toma has related on numerous occasions, that, in the early years, there was not the wide differentiation of styles that we know today. Karate was simply karate. Another interesting point is, in the early days, most teachers taught only a small number of kata. In fact, it would not have been uncommon to find a teacher who taught only one kata. However, as there was comparison and sharing of kata, the number grew.

With respect to the small number of kata, it should not be concluded that there was little kata practice. Toma notes that he spent over a year learning and practicing kata Seisan before going on to Sanchin. Perhaps this is one reason why many of the old Okinawan masters are so strict as to the precise execution of the kata. A highlight of Toma Shian's early training was his demonstration of kata Sanchin before Miyagi Chojun during a training session at the police academy.

Toma learned Pinan 1-5, Naihanchi, Passai-sho, basic (kihon) six-foot staff (bo) kata, and sai (a forked, metal truncheon) kata from a teacher with the family name of Uchima. Uchima had been a student of Motobu Toraju, who was believed to be a cousin of Motobu Choyu (Motobu-ryu). Toma Shian learned tonfa (wooden grist-mill handles) kata from Odo Seikichi (Ryukyu Hon Kenpo Kobujutsu)3 in exchange for Tokumine no Kun. He learned a sickle (kama) kata from Ire Matsutaro.

The story behind how he came to learn this kama kata is very interesting. He and a couple of other relatively young karateka went to Ire, who was noted for his sickle technique, and asked him to teach them. Ire was very old at the time and his memory was failing, and he eventually passed away in 1971 at the age of 92. Each time Toma and the others trained with Ire, the kata changed. As a result, the others gave up out of frustration. Toma stuck with it and eventually took the varying versions and synthesized them into a single kata, preserving the Ire's sickle techniques for all time.

Okinawa's martial arts political scene has changed often over the years. Toma Shian was a junior member of the Okinawa branch of the All-Japan Karate Federation in the 1950's. The federation was under the leadership of Toyama Kanken (founder of Shudokan). Senior members included Shimabukuro Eizo (Shobayashi Shorin-ryu), Shimabukuro Tatsuo, Nakamura Shigeru (Okinawa Kenpo), Nakazato Joen (Shorinji-ryu), and Kanashima Shinsuke (Tozan-ryu). Other junior members included Toma Seiki (Shorin-ryu), Kise Fusei (Matsumura Seito Shorin-ryu, l ater founder of Kenshinkan Shorin-ryu), Kuda Yuichi (Okinawa Kenpo/ Matsumura Seito Shorin-ryu/later, founder of Matsumura Kenpo), and Maeshiro Shuzen (Shorin-ryu).

It has been thought by some that Toma Shian was a student of both Toma Seiki and Maeshiro Shuzen. However, in recent interviews with Toma Shian, he stated emphatically that he was never a student of either. He believes this misconception perhaps came about because they were all members of the All-Japan Karate Federation and they practice many of the same kata. It could also be because some have mistakenly thought he and Toma Seiki are related, which they are not. Lastly, to add to the confusion, both use similar names for their respective associations. Toma Shian calling his association the Zen Okinawa Seidokan Karate Kobudo Renmei and Toma Seiki calling his the Shorin-ryu Karate-do Seidokan Kyokai4.

The All-Japan Karate Federation split into a number of factions in 1962. Sparring methodology was one of the most contentious issues leading to the split. The most widely accepted method of sparring in the main islands of Japan was, and still is, the sport-oriented "controlled contact" variety. Most All-Japan Karate Federation members felt that this "controlled contact" sparring should be taught, practiced, and officially sanctioned. By utilizing this sparring method, it was hoped to create a popular sport like judo.

This was counter to the traditional full-contact method used by many on Okinawa, with its main aim being combative effectiveness. Their method employed body armor similar to that used in kendo. It was quite brutal and knockouts were not uncommon. Since one of the All-Japan Karate Federation's main goals was to integrate the karate of Okinawa, now part of Japan, with the sport karate of the main islands, conflict naturally arose. Many, like Toma Shian, had been brought up in the "hard" way and felt it was the true Okinawan way.

When the split occurred, the Okinawa Kenpo Renmei was formed, made up of similarly traditional hard and tough individuals, led by Nakamura Shuguru and Shimabukuro Zenryo. Other prominent members included Odo Seikichi, Kuda Yuichi, and Oyata Seiyu (Ryukyu Kenpo). It thrived for several years until its members eventually drifted away to join other groups.

While a member of the Okinawa Kenpo Renmei, Toma Shian learned additional kata that are now part of Seidokan's standard repertoire: Ananku, Wansu, Passai, and Gojushiho. He also revised his Seisan kata to bring it in line with the version practiced within this association.

Among the various groups then on Okinawa, two in particular recognized the contributions of prominent teachers by awarding them master rank. Formed in 1961, the Okinawa Kobudo Kyokai awarded master rank to Toma Shian, Toma Seiki, Soken Hohan (Matsumura Seito Shorin-ryu), Shimabukuro Tatsuo, Nakamura Shigeru, Nakazato Joen, Taira Shinken (kobudo), Matayoshi Shinpo (kobudo), Uehara Seikichi (Motobu-ryu), Miyazato Eiko (Goju-ryu/Koho-ryu), Higa Seiko (Goju-ryu), Kina Shosei (Ufuchiku Den Kobujutsu), Nakaima Kenko (Ryuei-ryu), and others.

Around 1967, the Okinawa Karate Kobudo Renmei presented master grades to Toma Shian, Soken Hohan, Shimabukuro Tatsuo, Maeshiro Shuzen (Shorin-ryu), Kojo Kafa (Kojo-ryu), Kanashima Shinsuke, Matayoshi Shinpo, Nakaima Kenko, and others. It should be noted that Toma Shian was among those receiving master ranking from both groups.

A few years later, Toma Shian was awarded master rank by the Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobudo League, whose president was Nakaima Kenko.

In the early 1970's, Toma Shian belonged to the Chubu Shorin-ryu Karate-do Rengokai. This association was affiliated with other prominent organizations on the island such as the All-Okinawa Karate Renmei and the Okinawa Karate-do Rengokai. Along with Toma Shian, founding members of the Chubu Shorin-ryu Association included Nakazato Joen, Kanashima Shinsuke, and Aragaki Seiki.

Toma Shian went on to become a member of the Okinawa Karate Kobudo Renmei headed by Uehara Seikichi. He also became a personal student of Uehara. Uehara was, and is currently, the head of the Motobu-ryu system of Okinawa martial arts (bujutsu). Motobu-ryu, or more correctly "Motobu Udundi ("Goten-te" in Japanese, "Palace Hand"), is relatively little known outside Okinawa. Uehara learned his art from Motobu Choyu, the older brother of the renowned Motobu Choki. Motobu Choyu originally learned the techniques, both weaponry and unarmed methods, that eventually became known as Motobu-ryu, from "Bushi" (warrior) Matsumura Sokon. The art is referred to as "Palace Hand" because of its association with the royal court of the Okinawan kings. To the untrained eye, it can resemble aikido in its unarmed methods. However, the throwing and joint-locking techniques are more similar to Japanese aikijujutsu or Chinese Qinna. The style's weaponry includes such things as Chinese broad swords, Japanese long sword (katana), spear (yari), and halberd (naginata).

From Uehara, Toma Shian learned the throwing, joint-locking, and quick-draw sword techniques (iai waza) that he often teaches in his classes today. With the inclusion of these techniques, Seidokan became a more complete fighting art consisting of punching, striking, kicking, throwing, joint locking, and a variety of weapons. It is this unique composite system, along with his willingness to teach all comers that has lead to the growth of Seidokan karate and kobudo.

The respect he garners on Okinawa was made apparent when he became a founding member of the Zen Ryukyu Butokukai and the Okinawa City Karate League. He is also widely recognized for his contributions to the international martial arts community. This is demonstrated by the high demand for him to teach courses throughout the United States and Europe. Shian Toma is truly a martial arts pioneer who has developed a rich tradition that is now taught throughout the world.

Note: A special thanks to Boulahfa Mimoun Abdel-Lah, Dr. Stephen Chan, Jody Paul, Dave Bardi, and Ron Nix for their assistance in providing historical information.