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The empty hand system of self-defense known today as Shorin Ryu Karate is one of the oldest and most authentic forms of karate being taught throughout the world today. Rich in technique and tradition, it was created out of the need for self-preservation.
The beauty of Shorin Ryu Karate is that the kata bunkai, in addition to punching, blocking and kicking, contain a grappling art known as 'tuite' and vital point striking known as 'kyusho jutsu' ('tuite' consists of grappling, joint locking and throwing techniques and 'kyusho jutsu' is the art of precisely hitting vital areas of the body, otherwise known as pressure points).
Shorin Ryu kata has provided the pattern for 80% of all karate-do kata - Shotokan, Wado-ryu, Shito-ryu, Tae Kwon Do, etc., all built their kata systems from Shorin Ryu kata. Shorin Ryu kata are based on both long range and close-in fighting techniques.
The fact is that the style still contains grappling, joint-Locking and throwing, as well as "kyusho jutsu", as opposed to merely punching and kicking. Shorin Ryu also incorporates the use of Okinawan weapons, in a term called "Okinawan Kobudo".
Okinawan kobudo uses the same stances and theory of movement as Karate. Major Kobudo tactics also include 'tai-sabaki' (or body changes), trapping and hitting and simultaneously blocking and striking.
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