Imperial Dragon Hombu Dojo
CHIEF Instructor: Shihan
Myron M. Lubitsch
 The Imperial Dragon Hombu Dojo Is
the combined International headquarters of Shorinjiryu Kenryukan and Shorinjiryu Shinzen
Kyokai.
Shorinjiryu Kenryukan
is a modern system of karatedo steeped in traditionalism and rich in lineage. The system
was orginated by Shinan Kori Masayoshi Hisataka. The following is a brief history of the
founder's history as taken from both written and oral traditions.
Shinan masayoshi Kori
Hisataka (Seiki Kudaka in Okinawan) was born on April 22, 1907 in Naha City, (Shuri)
Okinawa and died on August 13, 1988 in Tokyo, Japan. He was born of lesser nobility and
his family was awarded an island off Okinawa.
As a youth, he began
his studies with Ankoh Asato. Shortly, thereafter, he studied weaponry with Ufuchiku
Kanegushiku (Sanda KinJo) - a rather interesting personality in Okinawa. His main
instructor, however, was Chotoku Kyan (Kitake in Japanese), who was one of the greatest
Okinawan masters and whose favorite techniques included a side steps or forward In
movements followed by Immediate counter-attacks all executed with great speed and body
shifting. This very basic theory of taisabaki is a cornerstone of all the Shorinjiryu
schools of karatedo.
In 1929, he toured
Taiwan for almost a year with Master Kyan where legend recorded he never lost a match.
Thereafter, he went to
Tokyo and studied Judo under Master Sampo Toku at the Kodokan. Interestingly, he attained
the rank of fourth degree black belt In a single year. During this period of time he also
studied Kendo. Wishing to Improve his skills, he returned to China where he mastered
Shorinjiryu-Kempo and delved Into Pa Kua Chuan.
During the 1930's, and
while in the armed forces he traveled throughout Thailand, Korea, Burma, Afghanistan,
Russia and Mongolia. He reportedly trained extensively and demonstrated his skills of
karate-do at various tournaments and exhibitions.
After the war and with
the news that his instructor Master Kyan passed away, Kori Hisataka had the alternative to
establish a new school in Fukuoka Prefecture on Kyushu or remain with other dojo mates (it
is reported that he was even asked to become one of Miyagils dojo instructors). What he
chose to do was to form the Kenkokan School of Shorinjiryu of Karatedo acknowledging and
reflecting his two main sources of knowledge - Shorinryu and Shorinjiryu Kempo. An
interesting bit of Information is that Shinan Koxi Hisataka was invited to demonstrate his
style In Japan in the same manner of Funakoshi.
As a result of the
knowledge which he gained through years of practice and practical application, Kori
Hisataka realized that individualism must be acknowledged in the dojo. Stress was placed
upon the full follow through of techniques, thereby creating greater torque. The use of
the heel and the tate ken or vertical fist for added strength, safety and natural movement
was instituted - the vertical fist first being was used in China and then in Tomari,
Okinawa. Yakusoku kumite or prearranged fighting forms proved an effective training tool
allowing for delivery of techniques, evasive moves and body control while maintaining
safety. And, finally, he insisted upon the use of bogu or armor. The use of protective
equipment proved to be an excellent method of preventing injury while allowing for full
contact. Most schools dropped such equipment during World War II, as the costs were
extremely prohibitive, yet Shinan Kori Hisataka maintained this effective training tool.
The anzen bogu or safety armor used today Is used by all Shorinjiryu schools.
In 1964, by special
Invitation of the Japanese Government, Shorinjiryu was introduced to the United States at
the New York World's Fair held in Flushing Meadow Park. Shortly thereafter, many of the
various Japanese Shorinjiryu instructors opened schools on the east coast and Canada. In
the early and mid-70's after the Shinan retired virtually every one of the schools
separated from the original school forming their own associations and federations. None of
these attempts were successful in bring back together the various schools.
An interesting event
took place in 1988 when the Kenryukan school was requested to put on a demonstration at
the original starting location of Shorinjiryu in the United States - Flushing Meadow Park,
proving the old adage that all things that go around, come around.
 Sometime about
1973, the idea of the Kenryukan School developed in response to the need to maintain
greater piety to the original school. In recognition of the originator, many of the forms,
the use of bogu, the ceremonies, the Shorinjiryu name, and the special emblem (tomoe) were
reinstituted. While piety to the origin is respected certain innovations have been
instituted to reflect modern needs. For greater realism a new system of combat for
contests was developed. Under this system multiple techniques and counter techniques can
be delivered and scored, thereby allowing for a more realistic contest. The use of more
self-defense techniques, greater use of weapons, a greater stress on basics and the
institution of a demonstration team are among other innovations that make Kenryukan a more
complete system. The insistence upon contest participation as opposed to isolationism
enables the students to appreciate Shorinjiryu Kenryukan and it's institutions.
In 1986, Shihan Myron
M. Lubitsch of Shorinjiryu Kenryukan contacted Shihan John A. Mirrione, Sr. of ShorinJiryu
Kenkokai with the expressed idea of establishing greater communication, exchange of
techniques, theories, philosophies, general knowledge, a sharing of a common heritage and,
of course, mutual respect and friendship. That meeting resulted in the formation of the
Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai, currently the largest grouping of
Shorinjiryu
practitioners in the world. The Kyokai presently consists of nine independent schools of
Shorinjiryu with 30 dojos. The Kyokai member schools are Kenryukan, Kenkokai, Kenzenkai,
Kenkukai, Kenwaryu, Nihon Takalyma, Kenyukai(N.J.), KenryukanIndia, and Kenryukat. Such
schools as Shindo Budo Kwai of Canada, Kentukukan of Canada, Kenkokan of Canada, Shinto
Nido Ichi Ryu of N.Y., kustralian Kenkokan and Kenkokan of Russia, while not full members
lend their welcomed support to the yearly Shinzen Shiai Ilk Gathering of the Shorinjiryu
Karate Family".
The Kenryukan and all
of the Kyokai members basically use the same training methods:
1 - Kata, the
dance of karate, is a formal exercise performed by a single individual to develop
knowledge, form, grace and beauty while fighting one or more imaginary opponents. Kata
helps to develop the ability to fight one's greatest opponent - oneself.
2 - Yakusoku kumite or prearranged fighting form is executed by two or more individuals as an
effective training tool allowing for meaningful delivery of techniques, evasive moves and
body control while maintaining safety.
3 - Gondome or
tournament point fighting Is practiced to acquaint the student with the Intricacies and
complexities of the open tournament scene. Speed, control and strategy are emphasized.
4 - Shorinjiryu shiai incorporates all the attributes of sondome with the exception that there
is controlled hard contact to specialized chest protectors with the restriction that
absolutely that no head contact is permitted. In Shorinjiryu, the contact areas are
protected. Throws and take-downs are permitted on matted surfaces and the use of knee and
elbow techniques to the armor are also permitted. This is the main method for all Kyokai
tournaments. In all Kyokai tournaments, all valid multiple and simultaneous techniques are
permitted and scored.
5 - Koshiki,
which is full contact to the chest protector and controlled contact to a specialized
heavily padded visored head protector. While Koshiki is considered the fighting arm of
Shorinjiryu, it is now used in select tournaments by many other styles of karatedo around
the world.
While Shorinjiryu is one of
the lesser known Okinawan forms of karate, it is resplendent In tradition, heritage and
lineage. We are as proud of its heritage as any of the other Okinawan ox Japanese systems
are of theirs and are proud to have been bequeathed such a great system by the late Kori
Hisataka.
This year, 1996,
represents two important milestones in the history of Shorinjiryu: this Is the fiftieth
anniversary of the establishment of Shorinjiryu and the tenth anniversary of the Shinzen
Shial. On October 13th, the Kyokai will be hosting a special tournament and banquet In
honor of this event.
The Kenryukan is headed
by nana dan (seventh degree) Myron M. Lubitsch, Kyoshi, and yon dan degree (fourth degree)
Troy E. Lester, Renshi.
Headquarters
Mailing Address:
Shorinjiryu Kenryukan and Shorinjiyru Shinzen
Kyokai
980 Jamaica Avenue in Brooklyn • Nev York
11208 • (718) 647-4157
Email:
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