SHODOKAN School of Martial Arts

Renskinkan

Shorinji - Ryu Karate - Do
Introduction

The style which is taught at this dojo(training hall) is called Shorinji-ryu-do.
Shorinji-ryu-do is a Japanese word meaning Small Forest Temple Style; Karate-do means: The way of the empty hands. Shorinji-ryu-do is a very traditional form of Japanese Karate. By tradition it is meant that the style is taught as much as possible without any changes. It is each instructors responsibility to maintain the purity of the style - both in techniques which are taught and the instructional manner. In this dojo, classes are instructed in the same manner as Shorinji-ryu classes in Japan. No effort is made to improve or Americanize th style.

History

Shorinji-ryu-Karate-do is currently based in Japan but has its origins deeply rooted in history. It began at the Shoalin Temple in mainland China over 1200 years ago. The Japanese pronounce Shaolin as "Shorin". A form of boxing was created by a Buddist monk named Daruma (he sometimes is called Bhodhidhama). It was origionally intended to provide physical conditioning to help the monks endure the rigors of their demanding spiritual training. This Chinese boxing or "Shoriji-Kempo" eventually traveled to Okinawa where it merged with an Okinawan style of fist fighting to become what is now called Karate.

Shorinji-Ryu Karate-Do in Japan
The main dojo of Shorinji-ryu karate-do in Japan is called "Renshinkan", or "the school where you study hard with feeling from the heart".
Shorinji-ryu karate-do was started by Soke (founder) Isamu Tamotsu (1919-2000), 10th dan (hanshi), in Kagoshima City, Japan in 1955. Our current President of Renshinkan Karate in Kagoshima, Japan is Nidaime Soke Iwao Tamotsu, 10th dan. Renshinkan has been spreading quickly all over Japan and the world for the past 46 years. Renshinkan boasts of 1,000 branches and 300,000 students in Japan.

Shorinji - Ryu Karate - Do in the USA

Shoriji-ryu was first introduced to eastern USA by Roichi "Ted" Takarada in 1968 when he began teaching at Shodokan Dojo (then in Swampscott, MA). Upon his return to Japan in 1969, Sensei Takarada promoted Joseph S. Campisi to the role of chief instructor. Shihan Campisi holds the grade of 6th-dan or sixth degree black belt("roku dan") and as such is the highest ranking black belt in the USA.
The instruction of Shorinji-ryu karate emphasizes three primary principles: Courtesy, Respect, and Discipline. Classes are conducted in a formal manner with all students wearing traditional white karate uniforms("Gi") with no unnecessary adornments. Classes are designed to develop strength, endurance, and concentration as well as to teach good basic karate techniques. Sparring is used as a method of practicing learned techniques and improving their effectiveness. Students are never required to compete in tournament, and no one is required to defeat any number of students in order to receive rank. Promotion tests are held twice a year; advancement is determined by each students knowledge of the required techniques and the form, speed, power, and concentration with which they are performed.

Instructors of Renshinkan Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do, Salem

Chief Instructor of the Salem Chapter
Nancy Scire, San-dan(3rd degree black belt), artist, author and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Shodokan, Inc. and Renshinkan USA. Sensei Scire is the first female to hold the rank of Shodan (black belt level) in Shorinji-Ryu USA and the second female to hold the rank of San-dan internationally.
Senior Instructor
Barry w. Berman, Ni-dan (2nd degree black belt), Licensed Inside Wireman, International brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 103 Boston and employed by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority as a Signal Electrician. Sensei Berman holds the office of Secretary for Renshinkan in the USA(1992-present) and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Shodokan, Inc.
All instructors have been certified by the late Master Isamu Tamotsu, President of Renshinkan Karate in Kagoshima, Japan and Shihan Joseph S. Campisi, President of Shorinji USA and Renshinkan USA. Instructors have between 15 and 20+ years of karate experience.

Regularly: Adults $50/month, Chidren $40, uniform $30, and one- time registration fee $15
Family rate: Additional members of the same family* receive 20% off second member! & 405 off3rd! of regular monthly tuition. *(parent, spouse, and/or children) Check seasonal schedule for times and days of classes. Discounts for advanced quarterly pre-paid dues are available!

NEW STUDENTS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED
SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER!

ONLY $25.00Offer includes karate uniform and four free karate lessons. For adults and children!
Call: (978) 744-1232

The class schedule and dojo hours are posted at the Dojo or link to
Class Schedule

Karate