A unique aspect of Shorinjiryu Karatedo, the original style from Okinawa, is that it utilizes a system of protective gear to test the strength and effectiveness of techniques. This is accomplished within a safe environment free from injury. The system of tournament rules is designed around the Anzen Bogu chest and face guard. The protective gear system was invented by Hanshi Masayuki Hisataka. In Shorinjiryu the practitioner protects the targets and not the hands nor feet and thereby can execute a full technique similar to real world situations and applications.
The system around the Anzen Bogu is now commonly known as Koshiki Karatedo. It is a system open to other styles of combat be them: Karate, Jujutsu, Taekwondo, MMA and other striking systems. Some interesting facts about Koshiki Karatedo and the protective gear system are:
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- Karate-do originated as a Self-Defense Art to fight without any weapons in Okinawa, Japan. Honoring this origin, Koshiki Contact Karate-do is a systematic fighting method using bare hands and feet, consisting of basic ways to block, punch, and kick wearing the Super Safe protector which protects face and body. Using the Super Safe protector, one can control punches and kicks directly with dynamic power and use a variety of techniques to develop one’s understanding and ability. In addition, spectators of Super Karate-do Koshiki Contact Kumite matches can clearly and simply understand the principles and results of a match.
- Super Karate-do Koshiki Contact Kumite is the most advanced, safe and realistic means of Karate-do competition, and is also the most exciting and enjoyable system for participants and spectators. The systematic rules of Super Karate-do Koshiki Contact Kumite are transparent, easy for referees to apply, and easy for spectators to understand, and fully meet the requirements of a School Education System for UNESCO and World Games as well as Olympic Sport.
- Super Karate-do Koshiki Contact Kumite allows competitors to fight, not just once, but in multiple matches over the course of a tournament, so as to build up accumulated scores for a series of rounds as is done in Round Robin competition systems. In addition, Super karate-do Koshiki Contact Kumite’s “addition of points” system awards points to all attacks and counterattacks during each round.
- The Super Karate-do Koshiki Contact KUMITE competition system operates under the auspices of the World Koshiki Contact Karate-do Federation and World Super Karate-do Union.
This revolutionary score-keeping approach was first implemented in 1978 by the World Koshiki Contact Karate-do Federation. This is different from many other score-keeping approaches in Karatedo, where only the initial attack is scored and counterattacks and simultaneous attacks are not recognized. Thus, our Super Karate-do Koshiki Contact Kumite system contained within SHorinjiryu Karatedo gives contenders more opportunities to adjust and improve their skills in each match to build up higher scores over time. This helps improve every player’s technique for matches against opponents of different fighting styles and approaches.
Lastly, the clear judging system whereby points are awarded for every successful technique, which can be both clearly seen and heard, provides invaluable and direct feedback for participants. As a result, there is continuous learning for Super Karate-do Koshiki Contact Kumite players participating in the sport.