Welcome!!
This is the website of the Okinawa Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do Association. We are the only organization representing Okinawa Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do as taught by the founder of the style, Taba Kensei, Hanshi, Judan. The association is lead by the second President (Kaicho), Maeda Kiyomasa, Hanshi, Judan, who was hand picked by Taba Sensei and fully supported by the Taba family.
This site represents the original Honbu Dojo of Maeda Sensei, the Shibu Dojo in Canada, Australia, the United States of America, and Ireland, and numerous Fukushibu and Junshibu Dojo around the world.
We hope you enjoy what this site has to offer and check back from time to time to see what changes have occurred. Feel free to contact us if you have questions or comments or if you are interested in arranging training with a certified Shogen-Ryu instructor.
This is the website of the Okinawa Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do Association. We are the only organization representing Okinawa Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do as taught by the founder of the style, Taba Kensei, Hanshi, Judan. The association is lead by the second President (Kaicho), Maeda Kiyomasa, Hanshi, Judan, who was hand picked by Taba Sensei and fully supported by the Taba family.
This site represents the original Honbu Dojo of Maeda Sensei, the Shibu Dojo in Canada, Australia, the United States of America, and Ireland, and numerous Fukushibu and Junshibu Dojo around the world.
We hope you enjoy what this site has to offer and check back from time to time to see what changes have occurred. Feel free to contact us if you have questions or comments or if you are interested in arranging training with a certified Shogen-Ryu instructor.
About Shogen-Ryu
Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do is the creation of Taba Kensei, Hanshi, Judan. It is the product of his more than 60 years of training in Karate-Do under such great Karate-Do Masters as Shoshin Nagamine, Hohan Soken and Chosin Chibana. Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do is not another branch or organization of Matsubayashi-Ryu or any other style. It is unique.
We are dedicated students of Taba Sensei that wish to continue to spread his amazing style of Karate-Do. Techniques are performed in a manner that results in the greatest speed and power possible without causing injury or harm to the person performing them.
Key aspects to Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do are the use of natural movements, efficiency of movement, a relaxed body and most importantly, the use of koshi, the combination of the hips and low back, when performing techniques. While many people talk about the importance of "koshi" to get maximum power, few truly understand the anatomy and biomechanical principles to effectively use it. It is not an exaggerated movement of the hips, but a small and often imperceivable "snap" which provides incredible power to technique. Taba Sensei had an unquestionable understanding of koshi and incorporated it into his Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do. The result is a perfect blending of tradition and science which is carried on by Maeda Sensei and his students.
Taba Sensei created a system in which knowledge comes first and egos and politics are not important. Rank is earned and respected, not casually handed out and boasted. Titles, such as Shidoin, Renshi, Kyoshi and Hanshi, are only used in written form, as is grammatically correct in the Japanese language, and instructors are addressed as "Sensei" regardless of what title they hold. In addition, everyone wears a plain white keikogi with the Association crest and Dan ranks wear a simple blackbelt with their name and "Shogen-Ryu" embroidered on the ends. No colorful uniforms with multiple patches or fancy colored or patterned belts are worn. The simple blackbelt a student receives as a Shodan could be the same belt they wear 30 years later.
We welcome anyone to come train with us and would be happy to discuss membership with any dojo/student that decides that Shogen-Ryu is what is best for them. Becoming a member dojo or individual member is not a simple payment of a fee. There is an involved process to becoming part of the Okinawa Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do Association. However, if you value TRUE Okinawa Karate-Do and are ready to receive clear explanations for what you are taught or have tired of all of the self-promoted "masters" of Okinawa Karate-Do, please contact us and we can provide the meaning to the tradition.
Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do is the creation of Taba Kensei, Hanshi, Judan. It is the product of his more than 60 years of training in Karate-Do under such great Karate-Do Masters as Shoshin Nagamine, Hohan Soken and Chosin Chibana. Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do is not another branch or organization of Matsubayashi-Ryu or any other style. It is unique.
We are dedicated students of Taba Sensei that wish to continue to spread his amazing style of Karate-Do. Techniques are performed in a manner that results in the greatest speed and power possible without causing injury or harm to the person performing them.
Key aspects to Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do are the use of natural movements, efficiency of movement, a relaxed body and most importantly, the use of koshi, the combination of the hips and low back, when performing techniques. While many people talk about the importance of "koshi" to get maximum power, few truly understand the anatomy and biomechanical principles to effectively use it. It is not an exaggerated movement of the hips, but a small and often imperceivable "snap" which provides incredible power to technique. Taba Sensei had an unquestionable understanding of koshi and incorporated it into his Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do. The result is a perfect blending of tradition and science which is carried on by Maeda Sensei and his students.
Taba Sensei created a system in which knowledge comes first and egos and politics are not important. Rank is earned and respected, not casually handed out and boasted. Titles, such as Shidoin, Renshi, Kyoshi and Hanshi, are only used in written form, as is grammatically correct in the Japanese language, and instructors are addressed as "Sensei" regardless of what title they hold. In addition, everyone wears a plain white keikogi with the Association crest and Dan ranks wear a simple blackbelt with their name and "Shogen-Ryu" embroidered on the ends. No colorful uniforms with multiple patches or fancy colored or patterned belts are worn. The simple blackbelt a student receives as a Shodan could be the same belt they wear 30 years later.
We welcome anyone to come train with us and would be happy to discuss membership with any dojo/student that decides that Shogen-Ryu is what is best for them. Becoming a member dojo or individual member is not a simple payment of a fee. There is an involved process to becoming part of the Okinawa Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do Association. However, if you value TRUE Okinawa Karate-Do and are ready to receive clear explanations for what you are taught or have tired of all of the self-promoted "masters" of Okinawa Karate-Do, please contact us and we can provide the meaning to the tradition.