Shihan-Ryu Budo
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Shihan-Ryu (translated, "Master Instructor's School") is a unique system of Martial Arts based on traditional Japanese Budo (Martial Arts).  Shihan-Ryu was officially established as the official "Budo System" of the American Martial Arts Society (AMAS) in 1967 and later was officially recognized and adopted by the United States Martial Arts Association (USMAA) in 1981.

Shihan-Ryu Budo currently consists of Shihan-Ryu JuJitsu, Shihan-Ryu Karate-Do,  Shihan-Ryu Kendo and Shihan-Ryu Kobudo. Shihan-Ryu Karate-Do and Shihan-Ryu JuJitsu may be taught both separately and together depending upon the individual instructor.  Many of the highest ranking instructors (Sensei) of the Shihan-Ryu Institute also have extensive backgrounds in other Martial Art systems such as Shorin-Ryu Karate, Shito-Ryu Karate, Goju-Ryu Karate, Wado-Ryu Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Kobudo, Kodokan Judo, Kendo, Aikido, Aiki JuJitsu, and various other systems of JuJitsu.   Because of this, elements of these other systems can also be found in Shihan-Ryu Budo.

The Shihan-Ryu Institute, (the Instructor's School) sets minimum standards for each Martial Art that an instructor of Shihan-Ryu must teach, but permits each instructor to add additional requirements as he or she sees fit.  An introduction to each Shihan-Ryu Martial Arts System follows:

Shihan-Ryu JuJitsu, (the Master Way of the Gentle Art) is based much upon the classical JuJitsu systems of Kito Ryu and Tenshin Shinyo Ryu. 

Kito-Ryu was founded by Ibaragi Toshifusa (1597-1670) in the Tokugawa-Iemitsu era (1624-1643).  This school established the order of training in JuJitsu methods.  This school was particularly known for its outstanding Nage-Waza (throwing techniques) and emphasized mental training.  Kodokan Judo throwing techniques are based on this school's methods.  Tenshin Shinyo-Ryu JuJitsu was founded by Iso Mataemon Masaashi at the end of the Tokugawa era (1861-1864).  This school was one of the largest schools at the end of the feudal era and was well known for its extensive Katame-Waza (holding, choking and joint locking techniques) and Atemi-Waza (striking techniques).  Judo's Katame-Waza and Atemi-Waza are based on these methods.

JuJitsu, which means "Gentle Art" is a system of combat whereas a smaller person may defeat a person of greater physical stature.  The term "Gentle Art" in no way implies that JuJitsu is a gentle, dainty art.  Indeed, JuJitsu was the primary unarmed combat method of the Samurai and could devastatingly brutal on the field of battle. 

The term "Gentle Art" is really a description of the principles and techniques which are the foundation of the art.  The smaller person cannot rely upon brute force and strength to overcome someone who is bigger and stronger.  The smaller person must instead use his opponents strength and momentum to add to his/her own technique to gain victory in combat.  When the opponent pushes, the defender would pull.  When pulled, the defender would push.  This is the principle of "Ju" as taught in JuJitsu. 

JuJitsu, because it was designed as a combative art, relies upon many techniques, some of which are similar to those found in other Martial Arts like Karate, Aikido and Judo.  Both Aikido and Judo are modern day descendents of JuJitsu.  Some of the techniques found in JuJitsu are Atemi-Waza (striking techniques), Nage-Waza (throwing techniques), Kensetsu-Waza (joint manipulation), Shime-Waza (strangulation or choking techniques), Katami Waza (ground techniques), vital and nerve point striking and manipulation, and much more.

Shihan-Ryu Karate-Do, (the "Master's Way of the Empty Hand) is based much upon traditional Japanese Karate as originally taught by it's founder Gichin Funakoshi.  Shihan-Ryu Karate-Do uses the traditional Kata of Shotokan as it's foundation.  Shihan-Ryu Karate-Do continues to evolve with modern training and teaching methods.  Great stress is placed upon learning the "bunkai" (self-defense application) for each technique within the individual Kata.  Because of the varied Martial Arts backgrounds of our instructors, Kata and techniques from other systems such as Kobayashi Shorin-Ryu, Shito-Ryu, Goju-Ryu, etc., are also found within Shihan-Ryu Karate-Do and are used to enhance the students depth of knowledge.

The non-physical aspects such as self-discipline, duty, self-control , mutual respect and other positive character building traits are also stressed by our instructors.  Karate-Do is intended as more than a way to kick or punch.  It is intended as a way of life where a student takes the character building traits learned in the Dojo (practice hall) and applies them to every aspect of his or her life.

Shihan-Ryu Kendo, (the Master's Way of the Sword) has great depth which goes much further then mere competitive sport.  The aspect of the traditional moral values underlie the training of Shihan-Ryu Kendo.  Traditionally the sword represents the Samurai warrior's soul.  In the early days of Japan, if someone other than the owner touched the sword without permission, even accidentally, it was a great insult and was often punished by death if the offender was a commoner.  Unlike Western fencing, Japanese sword fighting consists of a series of complicated cuts, or sometimes just one downward slash, to gain the victory over an opponent or enemy.  At first, Japanese Kendo schools sought to teach realistic techniques to train their warriors, without actually using a real blade.  Mistakes in training with real swords proved to be very costly in terms of human life.  The heavy wooden sword (boken) was invented, but this also caused injuries.  In an effort to reduce injuries, a bamboo sword called a "shinai" was devised during the early Tokugawa period from about 1600 to 1750.   Today, the bamboo shinai is the weapon used in modern competition fighting.   Kendoka (student of Kendo), when training or in competition wear protective armor called "bogu".  The "armor" consists of a heavy helmet called a "men" (which weighs approximately six or seven pounds).  A breastplate called a "do" and thick padded gloves (kote) and a lower waist protector (tare) make up the basic protective armor of Kendo.  The traditional hakama, divided skirt completes the Kendoka's uniform.

Shihan-Ryu Kendo's main purpose is not the execution of technique, but instead the improvement of personal character and one's moral conduct.

Shihan-Ryu Kobudo, (the Master's Way of Classical Weapons) is the art of Okinawan and classical Japanese weaponry, normally taught in conjunction with Shihan-Ryu Karate-Do.  Several of the weapons were thought to be improvised from farm implements.  It is normally only taught to advanced students of Shihan-Ryu Budo.  The traditional Kobudo weapons of the Shihan-Ryu Institute include the Rokushaku Bo (six foot staff), Jo (short staff), Sai (three-pronged truncheon), the Nunchaku (flail) and Tonfa.  The Shihan-Ryu Institute also include the Katana (long sword) and the Wakizashi (short sword) in its Kobudo training program.  Shihan-Ryu Kobudo may be taught in combination with another Shihan-Ryu art or separately, depending upon the Instructor.

You can learn more, please visit the Shihan-Ryu Institute's Website

Shihan-Ryu JuJitsu Rank Requirements (HTML Format)

Shihan-Ryu JuJitsu Rank Requirements (in Adobe PDF Format)

Shihan-Ryu Karate Rank Requirement (in Adobe PDF Format)

Shihan-Ryu Karate Rank Requirements (HTML Format)