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The knowledge of Shorin-Ryu Karate has been passed down by Instructors that originated in the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa. Below is an exerpt from the book "Okinawan Karate by Mark Bishop - 2nd Edition". The research for this book is based partly on oral history from interviews.
History of Okinawa
In the 14th century the island of Okinawa was ruled by several feudal lords (anji). Divided into three states of Hokuzan (north), Chuzan (middle), and Nanzan (south). The three Kingdoms were united in 1429 under Sho Hashi who made his capital at Shuri. Sometime later another ruler, Sho Shin (1477-1526), put a stop to feudalism forming a Confucianist state and made anji move to Shuri. He placed ban on wearing of swords and made the private ownership of arms in large quantities illegal. The Kingdom of Ryukyu expanded and prospered through trade with China (mostly via Fuchou in Fukien Province), South East Asia, Korea, and Japan. Various clans or groups have impacted the Ryukyu islands and its peoples including the United States military establishment.
Karate on Okinawa
In 1609 "ti" was practiced for self-defense and as a personal means of self-development by the nobility. Tode may have started in the latter part of the 18th or early 19th century. A man named Kusanku (also Ku Shanku or Koso Kun) displayed his Chinese boxing and grappling skills. It appears that styles such as Goju-ryu originally called Shorei-ryu and Naha-te were based on Chinese boxing systems. The general style of Shorin-ryu are known to be a mixture of Tomari-te and Shuri-te.
The Shorin styles - Matsumura Orthodox Shorin-ryu
The beginnings of the "Shorin styles" originate with one man Sokon Matsumura (c. 1809 - 1901) from Yamagawa village in Shuri. As a youth, he learned "ti", a martial art of the Ryukyuan kings, princes, and anji who lived in Shuri. Matsumura worked as a bodyguard to Ryukyuan kings. He visited Fuchou and Satsuma an an envoy on affairs of state. He studied in several Chinese boxing schools under military attaches Ason and Iwah. He also visited the Fukien Shaolin Temple.
Katas - "Hohan Soken told me that Nabe Matsumura taught him the Katas: Naihanchi Shodan, Naihanchi Nidan, Naihanchi Sandan, Pinan Shodan, Pinan Nidan, Passai Sho, Passai Dai, Chinto, Kusanku, Gojushidho, Sesan, Rohai Jo, Rohai Chu, Rohai Ge, and Hakutsuru". Soken also learned weapons: Sai, Kama, Kusarigama, Tuifa, Suruchin, and Nunchaku from Nabe Matsumura.
More about Soken (1889 - 1982): In 1920, Soken emigrated to Argentina where he worked as a farm labourer. He returned to Okinawa in 1952 and started teaching karate, calling his style Matsumura Orthodox - Shorin-ryu. Soken has visited the USA with his student Fusei Kise. Soken has said that Shorin-ryu is a 'natural style' that is taught according to each individual student's attributes. He has also said that when he was a young man karate practitioners could, on the permission of their teachers, visit other masters to learn their specialities.
Lineage of Instructors - Edited 3-18-23 S.Noda
The lineage for the Shorin-ryu style that is practiced at the Koyasan Temple under Sensei Gary is as follows:
Soken Matsumura > Nabe Matsumura > Hohan Soken > Fusei Kise > Richard P. Derheim > Sensei Gary Matsumoto>
Assistant Sensei Calvin Matsumoto and David S. Sakauye> Senpai Kevin Nakashima and Sempai David Baldridge.
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Additional notes: Yoshimatsu Akamine was a student of Hohan Soken.
Historical recollections from David Diego (student of Richard Derheim) and member of Sensei Gary's Dojo:
Richard started his Dojo in Oak Park in 1965 and resided off Franklin Blvd. in south Sacramento. His training was from 10 instructors of various disciplines. One from World War II and others from Okinawa. When Richard D. was in Okinawa, he was associated with the U.S. Military. As he trained in formal Okinawa Karate classes, he utilized his acquired knowledge immediately by training U.S. Special Forces participating in the Vietnam War. (Opinion of editor - S.Noda) "this is interesting to me because as a student of Sensie Gary's, we practice formal Shodan-Ryu teachings and then apply these techniques in Bunkai practice with partners. This applies to the Katas we learn and practice. That is to say, the entire two hour class has roots in practicality".
Additional history and photo of Richard Derheim's Dojo from 1967 - Recollections from David Deigo. 3-12-2023
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Sensei Richard Derheim's time in Okinawa was from 1959 to 1966. For 7 years, sensei Derheim trained in Okinawan martial arts. He returned to the states in early 1967. He bought a house next to a friend of mine in 1967 or 68. In 1959, Richard D. was 20 years old. David Deigo's father was 27 and they both saw the end of the Korean War in 1953.
When I was young he would teach me things he had learned in Okinawa. There was so much variety that he had it broken down in different methods:
Some of the methods starting with empty hand fighting without weapon.
The next one would be open hand fighting with close fist punching, kicks, elbows, knees, wrist locks arm locks, shoulder locks, knee locks, and ankle locks.
Throws and escapes.
Knife techniques.
In Weapons training, Sensei Derheim used original Okinawan weapons and he would remind me of some of the influences of the elder Okinawan teachers in the Matsumura system. He told me that the weapons were used for the defense against samurai. Sensei Derheim also learned that his teachers were eyewitnesses of the samurai. Sensei Derheim thought these systems were developed to defend against a swordman.
Nabe Matsumura Hohan Soken Fussel Kise Richard P. Derheim
9/1939 - 1/1993
Letter From Gene Kitade to Sensei Gary Matsumoto about late Richard Derheim
Letter From Gene Kitade to Sensei Gary Matsumoto about late Richard Derheim
Dated 5-22-2012 Original from G.Kitade on 4-23-10
Hi Gary,
I was sharing with Grandmaster Shin that it was a shame Sensei was not recognized for his art. He agreed and said that he thought something could be done. Enclosed is a certificate for Sense – 8th degree “Honorary Associate Professor”, as founder of the Derheim Method. This has been signed and issued by the same people who signed our certificates. I asked that all of Ricards’s black belts be issued a personal copy of the certificate for their records and lineage information. Enclosed is the certificate for your personal records. Sensei’s certificate is the highest promotion issued by Grandmaster Shin under his lineage. Second being Lenny Ramirez and myself.
Some twenty years ago, Sensei asked be to help revise the boards for testing and categorize his course outline. I did not realize how difficult it would be and the commitment to accomplish this task was at the time. My journey is complete, the requirement boards and course outline are finished. The Derheim Method has been acknowledged by a high level of his peers (Grandmasters), I am so happy for Sensei that this has happened. His method has evolved with the principals of Small Circle Jujitsu, Shorin Ryu Matsumoto Seito and Tai Chi Chuan.
John Snider and myself studied under Sensei from 1975 until he passed on 1993. We took him to the hospital the night before he passed. Both of us received our Shodan in 1982 and promoted to Sandan in 1990 under him. Grandmaster Shin values the teachings of Sensei and I currently teach the Derheim Method at his dojo. I am honored to have demonstrated in front of the board of Grandmasters and honored guests during the promotions last year in recognition of the Derheim Method.
I hope Sensei is proud that his art has continued and evolved as we continue teaching. I know that he was always seeking to gain knowledge.
Regards,
Gene Kitade
Rokudan – Derheim Method
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