Shorinjiryu Kenryukan Karate (少林寺流拳行館空手, Shorinjiryu Kenryukan Karate^?) is a style of karate founded by Kori Hisataka (Seiki Kudaka in Okinawan)(1907–1988) shortly after World War II in Japan. It is a unique blend of Okinawan kobudo and Shorinji Ryū Karate, Japanese aikijujutsu, judo, kenjutsu, and Chinese bājíquán.

The style is responsible for a number of innovations to karate training including:

• Use of the heel when kicking
• Whole body is put into action when executing a technique, using a follow through motion
• Use of the vertical fist (tate ken)
• Practice of yakusoku kumite
• Use of protective equipment to allow the karatedo student to really test their techniques without having to hold back their power
• Practice of weapons (buki ho)

In many respects, Shorinjiryu Karate has a strong resemblance to Japanese Koryu Budo, in that it has a great emphasis on 2 person pre-arrange drills (yakusoku kumite). One person kata is an important practice, and the main kata taught in the style in its early days were versions of Naihanchin, Nijushiho, Sanchin, Chinto and Kusanku, as well as a Bo (6ft staff) kata (Shishiryu no Bo), a Jo (4ft staff) kata and a Sai (iron truncheon) kata (Nijushiho no Sai). Other kata were introduced later, mainly by the son of the founder, Masayuki Hisataka.

Following Kori Hisataka's retirement in 1974, his son Masayuki Hisataka took over as head of the organization.

References ^ Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karatedo ^ "Scientific Karatedo" 1976 by Masayuki Kukan Hisataka. and "Essential Shorinjiryu Karatedo" by Masayuki Kukan Hisataka. ^ Ishino Shorinjiryu Genbukan Karate Federation ^ Shorinjiryu Shinzen Kyokai This article related to the martial arts is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it