Intro to Okinawa Shogen-Ryu
Okinawa Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do is a traditional Okinawan martial art dedicated to preserving the authentic spirit and techniques of Okinawan karate and kobudo. Unlike modern sport karate, Shogen-Ryu emphasises realistic self-defence applications, deep understanding of body mechanics, and the cultivation of kokoro (heart/spirit) through lifelong training. Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do offers more than physical techniques; it is a cultural practice rooted in the heritage of Okinawa and the timeless principles of budo.
About Okinawa Shogen-Ryu
Okinawa Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do Europe is a group of dedicated martial artists committed to safeguarding and promoting authentic Okinawan karate and kobudo. In a time when many schools focus primarily on competitive sport karate, the Shogen-Ryu community remains true to traditional training methods focused on life-preserving techniques and practical self-defence applications.
The association maintains close ties with Okinawa and regularly studies with senior instructors to deepen its understanding of traditional Okinawan martial arts. Their curriculum covers kihon (basic techniques), kata (forms), and kobudo (weapon arts), with training emphasising natural movement, efficiency, and the principle of koshi (use of hips and lower back for power generation)
History - Okinawa Shogen-Ryu
Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do has its roots in the classical Okinawan Shorin-Ryu tradition, drawing on more than six decades of martial study by its founder, Kensei Taba, Hanshi Judan. Shogen-Ryu is not merely another branch of existing Shorin-Ryu schools like Matsubayashi-Ryu; it is a distinct system developed to honour the origins of authentic Okinawan karate while refining training to be practical, powerful, and philosophically rooted.
Kensei Taba trained extensively under renowned masters such as Shoshin Nagamine, Hohan Soken, and Chosin Chibana, learning deeply from their teachings and synthesising these influences into Shogen-Ryu’s unique methodology. The name “Shogen” reflects this lineage: “Sho” honours Shoshin Nagamine, while “gen” signals a return to the original essence—ti (traditional Okinawan hand techniques).
Shogen-Ryu training emphasises a relaxed body with natural breathing, efficient movement, and powerful execution rooted in sound biomechanics, especially the coordinated use of the hips. This design makes Shogen-Ryu a robust system that blends traditional Okinawan principles with scientific understanding of human movement.
