Shorin Ryu Karate & Kobudo Association (Matsubayashi Ryu)

Welcome to Shorin Ryu Karate & Kobudo Association under the direction of Sensei Eihachi Ota, Hanshi 9th Dan. Our Style of Karate is Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu, one of three major Shorin Ryu styles of Okinawa. The founder of our style is O’Sensei Shoshin Nagamine. Sensei Nagamine was born on July 15, 1907, Naha City, Okinawa. He devoted his entire life to the preservation and perpetuation of Okinawan Karate. Shoshin Nagamine trained under several prominent masters in Okinawa, Ankichi Arakaki, Chotoku Kyan and Choki Motobu, he adopted the name "Matsubayashi-Ryu" in July of 1947 to honor Matsumura Sokon (1809-1896) of Shuri-te, and Matsumora Kosaku (1829-1898) of Tomari-te. He strived to maintain the ancient kata as they were taught to him. O’Sensei Nagamine passed away on November 2, 1997.

Sensei Ota is the highest ranking Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu practitioner outside of Okinawa. Sensei Ota started his training in Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu in high school with a close friend of his, he was invited by his friend to train at his school under Sensei Shima Masao and trained at the hombu dojo on weekends under O'Sensei Nagamine. Sensei Shima was one of the most important students of O’Sensei Nagamine. Sensei Ota was known to train 365 days a year, often three times a day, it did not matter what the weather was like he never stoped training.

Sensei Ota moved to US in 1969. In 1973 he opened his first Dojo and has been teaching Matsubayashi Shorin Ryu in Los Angeles for over 40 years, for last several years he moved and opened his school in Gardena California.

Our training is traditional Okinawan Karate. Sensei Ota emphasizes self development and individual progress through rigorous training in Kata,  Kumite & Kobudo.