Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan was introduced in India by Renshi.H.Gamini Soysa in 1980. Now, In India, Shorin Kan practitioners are present in more than 10 states.
Kyoshi H Gamini Soysa was invited by sensei R A Govindarajan, Shito Ryu Sensei (Sensei R A Govindarajan left shorin ryu within few months) in 1980 to give a Karate Demonstration in Vanimahal, Chennai. Then Gamini Soysa was well trained 3rd Dan Black Belt in Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan. S. Rethinam was thoroughly impressed by Gamini Sensei's Performance.
Sensei Rethinam was practicing Tea-Kwon-Do under Sensei Faustin Nigely then. Sensei started practicing Shorin Ryu shorin Kan under Gamini Sensei. In 1981 January, along with Gamini sensei and his team the senior master Renshi Rod Lipka from USA with his wife were invited to Chennai, India by Sensei Rethinam. The mega event was organized by Indian Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan association which was the first step of establishment of Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan in India with the great effort of sensei Rethinam with the support of the great sensei Gamini Soysa. Sensei Rethinam invited Sensei Gamini Soysa nearly 14 times to India for the purpose of learning and establishing Shorin Kan in India. Sensei Rethinam received his all black belt certificates from Okinawa Head Quarters by the Recommendation of Sensei Gamini Soysa. In 1994, Sensei Rethinam was invited by Kyoshi Pat Haley recommended by Sensei Gamini Soysa to attend the International coching camp cum Grading by Hanshi shugoro Nakazato Where Sensei Rethinam was awarded 5th Dan and Sensei Gamini Soysa was awarded 6th Dan in Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan.
Kyoshi H Gamini Soysa,
8th Dan Black Belt
Renshi Rethinam visited World Head Quarters Okinawa, Japan in 2003 for training and received 6th Dan Black Belt in Karate and 6th Dan Black Belt in Kobudo. And Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato awarded the Shihan Title (One of the directors of Okinawa Shorin Ryu Shorin Kan) to Renshi S Rethinam. In the Year of 2009, Renshi S. Rethinam received 7th Dan Black Belt from the Hand of the one of the Senior Most Student of Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato, the Great Sensei Hanshi Giyu Gibo.
Origin of Okinawan Karate
The origins of Okinawan karate
date back to the 18th and 19th century. Literally meaning "Chinese
hand or empty hand", karate became the accepted term for
the empty-handed system of self-defense of Okinawa. Prior to
that time period, it is believed that when Okinawa was invaded
by Japan (they two were independent countries) there may have
been a ban on all weapons, and confiscation of all the Okinawans
weapons. Without any weapons to defend themselves, the Okinawans
practiced empty-handed self-defense techniques in order to defend
themselves from the armed Japanese invaders. The self-defense
system they developed was called te, and over time evolved into
a more sophisticated form of martial arts which is known as
karate.
On the main island of Okinawa, karate developed in three
major cities: Shuri, Naha, and Tomari, which are all located
within a few miles of each other. The early styles of karate
were named after the cities where it was practiced; Shuri-te,
Naha-te, and Tomari-te. Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan is a small branch
which evolved from the Shuri-te system of fighting.
