Styles similar to Shito Ryu

[keithbrooks]

Hello,

I took up Shito Ryu for a year about a decade ago. It's been a while, but I still have the certificate I earned and the belt (red, the level above white belt) and would like to get back into it. I live in NYC and am struggling to find dojos that teach that style. If I'm unable to find one that offers Shito Ryu, are there other styles I can enter into that are similar or would accept my certificate?

Thanks,

Keith

[sensei8]

First of all...Welcome to KF; glad that you're here!!

You'd have to contact the Sensei of the dojo in your area as far as to them accepting your cert/belt. Nonetheless, seeing that the cert/belt is just above white belt, and it's been so long since, I'd suggest that you just start back as a white belt. After all, if you've retained anything, the Sensei will be able to tell right off the bat. This is regardless of styles being similar to Shito ryu!!

[Nano Ninja]

I don't know if it was my instructor or the style. But I moved form Hayashi Ha Shito Ryu to Kyokushin and found them fairly similar. Especially with Kata.

[Spartacus Maximus]

Shito-ryu was, as you might know, developed by an Okinawan called Mabuni while he lived on mainland Japan. His teacher and fellow students where of the Shuri-te school as well as his contemporary, Funakoshi who is known from Shotokan.

In other words, all styles, and there are dozens; originating from shuri-te would have many similarities with Shito-ryu. The most similar would probably be Shotokan and all the Shorin-ryu styles which are much older.

The pinan kata as well as the Naihanchi series are all included in some form in all these styles. The techniques differ out the pattern and order remain exactly the same making these kata easily recognizable. Whatever the choice, it is best to trust and listen to ones teacher once one has chosen which style to practise.

[Wado Heretic]

There is a derivative style known as Shūkōkai, which itself is derived from Tani-ha Shito-Ryu, that is relatively popular on the East Coast. However, it does involve many innovations made by it's founders so it is not strictly just a continuation of Shito-Ryu, and has it's own unique qualities.

In most cases, it will come down to the instructor and organisation as to whether they will honour your prior training. Considering it was so long ago, and was only the first belt, I could see most telling you that you will just have to begin at white belt. If you have retained any knowledge or skills, than you should probably advance quickly from white to red again anyway.

The influence of Mabuni Kenwa on Japanese Karate is hard to quantify, it was that large but in so many cases subtle. If you are looking for something with the flavour of Shito_ryu, I would avoid Shotokan, Shorin-Ryu, Wado-Ryu, Goju-Ryu, or Uechi-Ryu. Shito-Ryu, embodies a technical syllabus with origins in both Shuri Te and Naha Te; so I would search for systems such as Shindō jinen-ryū (Ryobu-Kai), or Yui Shin Kai (Be sure to add Karate to any searches or you will get Aikido), as both have direct influence from Mabuni and derive their syllabuses from Shuri and Naha Te. I still think Shukokai would be your best chance considering geographical issues.

[keithbrooks]

Wow, thank you all for the very rich responses, I appreciate it -- sincerely! And happy to be here!

I was in touch with a Shito Ryu instructor, although he only teaches once a week. I want to find something I can go to at least twice or three times a week, so I can consider the other similar styles people mentioned. I don't mind starting over.

[JohnASE]

If you are looking for something with the flavour of Shito_ryu, I would avoid Shotokan, Shorin-Ryu, Wado-Ryu, Goju-Ryu, or Uechi-Ryu.

This might be true for more advanced students, but at the OP's level (one belt above white), I would assume he'd been taught some basic strikes and blocks, a couple of kata, and some dojo etiquette. In general, for a beginner, I'd say that most Japanese and Okinawan karate styles would be pretty similar to what he'd been exposed to.

I'm not very familiar with NYC, so it's hard for me to make specific recommendations. Off the top of my head, there's Miyazaki in Bayside and Thomas Casale in Brooklyn. They're both Shotokan. I think Miyazaki has a few dojos around the area under him, so if Bayside isn't close, maybe one of the others is.

[sensei8]

JohnASE, Wado Heretic, and Spartacus Maximus...

Solid posts, one and all!!

[JR 137]

I'm really not trying to be mean here, but I have to say it...

You studied for a year about a decade ago. Forget about the old rank and style (not that I have any issue with the style). NYC is crawling with who's who of MA instructors. Visit as many dojos as you can and pick the best one for you. It'll be a combination of factors such as the teaching style, class times, location, price, and so on. There are so many legendary MAists and their students in NYC, and not just karate.

[DavidNYC83]

Living in NYC myself I can tell you that you won't find a Shito based school, at all. As JR 137 said, rank is the last of your worries. You will find a bunch of Shotokan dojos and some Shorin dojos. If you want to step outside of Karate, you will find plenty of TKD dojos, and plenty of mma gyms. Also some good jujitsu and Aikido dojos if your open to them.