Koei Nohara Sensei is president and founder of the International Okinawa Shorinryu Ryukyukan Karatedo Kobudo Association. He began his Karate training under his father, Kaoru Nohara Sensei, who was a student of Chotoku Kyan Sensei.  As a young man, Nohara Sensei was sent to study under the Shorinryu (Kobayashi) system of karate.  Nohara Sensei later formed the Ryukyukan division of Shorinryu and is currently the rank of Eighth Degree (Hanshi).  Nohara Sensei has spent his entire life studying and teaching Okinawan Karate and Kobudo, and sets the standard for instruction at all Ryukyukan dojos.

Shuri-te (Shuri hand) was the original Okinawan art practiced by the palace guards of the Sho dynasty, kings of Okinawa, at Shuri Castle.  Matsumura Sokon (1809-1899) served for two kings of the Ryukyu Kingdom, the 18th King Shoiku and the 19th King Shotai.  Matusmura’s Shuri-te was passed on to his student Itosu Anko (1831-1915), who was a secretary for the Kingdom of Ryukyu.  Itosu was the karate instructor for the Okinawa Prefectural Shihan School (teacher’s school).  Chibana Chosin (1885-1969), born in Torihori Shuri, was a student of Itosu.  Chibana opened his karate dojo at Shuri in 1917.  He organized the “Karate Study Association” with his friends Funakoshi Gichin and Oshiro Chodo.  Chibana named his style Shorinryu.  He also organized the “Okinawa Shorinryu Association” in 1948, and became the first president of the association.  Chibana Chosin received the honored prize of Kun 4th Zuihosho from the Japanese Government for his contribution to Japanese culture through Karatedo.

The Ryukyus are the chain of islands which spread south from Japan, of which Okinawa is the largest.

Ryukyukan (Ryukyu Organization) has a direct historical link to the original Shuri-te, and preserves this lineage through Kata (forms).  If you look closely at the Shuri Castle photo, you will see the Shi-Sa (half dragon-half lion) on the palace roof.  The Shi-Sa, protector of Okinawa, can be found on the Ryukyukan patch.