Shishikan Dojo, Brisbane

Shorinjiryu

Kaiso Masayoshi Kori Hisataka (or pronounced Seiki Kudaka in Okinawan) was born in Shuri (Naha City in Okinawa) on April 22nd, 1907, and was a descendant of Seiwa, the 56th Emperor of Japan. He studied Jiu Jitsu and studied with and exchanged with many of the great Karate masters of the time, but mostly under Master Chojun Kyamu of Okinawa Karate. He entered the military learning Army training, bayonet handling, and furthered his knowledge of combat.

In 1929 he toured Taiwan with Master Chojun Kyamu and Master Ryosei Kuwae for about one year and was undefeated against the local Kempo practitioners. Upon returning to Japan he studied Judo at the Kodokan with Master Sanpo Toku and achieved 4th Degree Black Belt within a year of training. He studied Kendo (the Japanese version of sword fencing) and competed at every Police Department competition.

During World War II, he was sent to Manchuria and assigned as a station master along the railway at Bakudashu, Sarachi, and Cho Kakko. When possible he would practice Karatedo and Judo training, and studied Chinese martial arts with a master of Hakkyoku Kempo. He is credited with saving both Chinese and Japanese lives during his stint as station master.

After World War II he returned to Japan to find that the Japanese people were demoralized by the war so he placed a greater emphasis on spiritual development of the individual through karatedo training. He founded the first Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karate dojo in Oshima Park, Hamada village, in Kumamoto prefecture, Kyushu in 1945. He named this karatedo style based on the influences of Okinawan Karate (tode) , Chinese Shorinji kempo, Ryukyu Kudaka jima Shishiryu bo jutsu, and Kudakaryu Karate jutsu.

He also made some innovations to Karatedo 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 allowing the karatedo student to test their techniques without having to hold back their power

      Practice of weapons (buki ho)

Kaiso Masayoshi Kori Hisataka died in Tokyo Japan on April 14,1988, and his legacy continues on today through the practitioners of Shorinjiryu Kenkokan Karate and the various branches that trace their origin to his development of karatedo

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