Ryukyu Kempo is an old style of Karate from the island of Okinawa.  Ryukyu Kempo literally means "old Okinawan fist method."  It focuses on striking techniques and joint manipulations derived from forms.

Shinkikan is the name of our school.  "Shinkikan" literally means "return to truth training hall" or "school of returning to truth."  At the Shinkikan Dojo, we are dedicated to preserving Classical Okinawan Life-Protection Arts (Ryukyu Kempo) for the protection and betterment of our lives.

More About Ryukyu Kempo

Ryukyu Kempo is the name of the art taught by Oyata Seiyu Sensei of Okinawa.  Mr. Oyata moved permanently to the United States in the late 1970s at the urging of some of his senior American students (who had studied with him in Okinawa while serving in the military). Oyata Sensei is one of very few old Karate masters to teach the ancient way of Okinawan Karate.

The techniques that are hidden within the forms of Karate are studied in-depth, and are not memorized superficially just for tournament competition or show. The study of Kata (forms) gives way to a detailed study of body mechanics and effective life-protection techniques.

These techniques include Tuite-jutsu ("grabbing hand art") and Kyusho-jutsu ("vital point art"). The Tuite techniques of Ryukyu Kempo are the old Okinawan grappling techniques and Kyusho-waza are techniques of manipulating or striking nerve or circulatory points on the human body.

Such methods can be used on virtually any opponent, regardless of size or strength. Everyone is built in much the same way: there are weak areas exposed throughout the body (and mind). The expert Ryukyu Kempo practitioner is trained to exploit these weaknesses for effective life-protection.

If one trains diligently, their mind and body learn to control an attacker and cause the appropriate amount of damage to the opponent. If the attacker is simply pushing you and spouting empty threats, one may control the attacker so that they are not injured but so that you are safe. If your life is in grave danger, one may respond with more damaging force. The circumstances dictate the appropriate amount of force.

One of the beauties of Tuite techniques is that they can be used to control an opponent while causing minimal injury, or they can be used to incapacitate in more serious situations.

Kyusho-jutsu can be used for pain compliance or even to render an opponent unconscience. Even knocking an attacker out may be considered a humane way of self-defense.

Oyata Sensei studied with several great Okinawan martial art masters. He began his training in the authentic ancient Ryukyu method of Karate under Uhugushuku Sensei. Mr. Uhugushuku inherited his family art of weapons fighting, bunkai (form interpretation), and Tuite (grappling). Uhugushuku Sensei passed his art on to Mr. Oyata and also introduced him to a friend by the name of Wakinaguri Sensei. Mr. Wakinaguri taught Oyata Sensei Heiho (strategy) and Kyusho-jutsu (vital point methods). Mr. Wakinaguri was a decendent of a Chinese family that immigrated to Okinawa.

After the deaths of these men (they were in their 90s when Mr. Oyata began his studies with them), Mr. Oyata studied under Nakamura Shigeru Sensei. Mr. Nakamura was a renowned master of Okinawa Kempo and 10th degree black belt (the highest rank attainable). Mr. Oyata was inducted into Nakamura Shihan's school as an instructor, due to his high-level of skill and training under his previous two masters. It was from Mr. Nakamura that Oyata learned the fundamental unarmed forms he teaches within his art.

It should also be noted that Mr. Oyata also trained with Uehara Seikichi Sensei, another renowned master and the inheritor of the family system "Motobu-ha Udundi". Mr. Uehara was a direct disciple of Motobu Choyu Sensei (the older brother of the famous Motobu Choki).

Ryukyu Kempo offers the martial artist a fascinating, profound study. Its methods are fairly unique among the various martial arts. They can benefit the serious student in a relatively short amount of time, while at the same time providing a lifetime worth of study.

More About Shinkikan Dojo

At the Shinkikan Dojo, we study and practice Okinawan Life-Protection Arts.  Shinkikan Dojo is dedicated to preserving authentic ancient Karate for the protection and betterment of our lives.  What we do is different from modern Karate.  It is very rare in the modern world, and very special.  It was not developed for sports, but for the protection of human lives.  You can learn many methods of joint manipulation and special strikes not taught in most dojo.  Also, we do not do Karate kata just for exercise; we analyze and discover the hidden meanings and real self-defense applications from the kata.

You will learn ways to defend yourself, and ways to enhance your mind and body.  We offer lessons for ages 15 and above in Bellflower, California. 

Classes are held Tuesday & Thursday at 7pm, and Saturday at 1pm.  The monthly dojo fee is $60.  There is no registration fee.

Please contact us today to arrange a visit to the dojo and watch or participate in a class.  Fill out the contact form on our "Contact Us" page.

Taika Seiyu Oyata

Master of Ryukyu Kempo

The kanji for Ryukyu Kempo