Originating from the Japanese islands of Okinawa, karate-do (“empty hand way”) is part of a more than 600-year-old cultural tradition. Shorin-ryu is
descended from Shuri-te which originated around Shuri, the ancient capitol of the Ryukyu kingdom. Shuri-te, Naha-te and Tomari-te are the three major historical branches of karate-do.

The most recent recorded teaching lineage of the Shido-kan style includes the following master teachers (sensei):

Sokon Matsumura 1809-99

Anko Itosu 1831-1915

Shinpan Gusukuma 1890-1954

Choshin Chibana 1886-1945

Katsuya Miyahira, Hanshi, 10th Dan 1918-

Seikichi Iha, Hanshi, 10th Dan 1932-

Seikichi Iha, Hanshi, 10th Dan became part of this great lineage through his early training with Shinpan Gusukuma and ongoing training with Kaysuya Miyahira. He continues to teach at his Lansing Michigan dojo, Original Okinawa Karate.

To learn more about the history of Shido-kan Karate-do and the Okinawan masters who developed it, visit the Beikoku Shido-kan Association's website.