A historical Perspective During the Reign of

CHUI #23

This was covered before but not in great detail under the Shuka Toro Kobushi Shuka Mantis Fist way with its founder Shuanan. He was also known as Kyonei Shuka who came from a rich farming family.

For the first 10 years of his life he had medical problems (stomach problems). He had tried many different doctors to cure his problem. One in particular was Suitobyo. His father for fear of losing his life did this. He was moved to another area that had a better environment for healing according to his father and doctor. These places were noted for its healthful waters and clean air, which was good for his health and his training.
Shuanan's medical condition was worsening because of his age and his continual ill ailments. At the height of his career to was almost poverty-stricken. He was temporarily lodged because of his situation. At this point he was referred to a well known Shorinji no Zen In (Great Teacher of Shorinji) En 0.
He was whole heartily received by this great teacher. After some consultation and medical treatment he recovered fully. Shuanan stayed on under En 0 to assist the cook. He took this position to pay back En 0 for his medical treatment.
During the Manchu middle era known as the Kanryu era (1736 1795) Shuanan stayed there and studied military strategy. Every day most of the day was spend studying military tactics. He did find time to study the martial arts for 2 hours a day. Even for his age his effort toward studying and physical exercise was phenomenal.
Next we have a man named Kaigokii he was a very large muscular man who had passed all tests of strength in this sects training program. Since his entrance into the Shorinji sect he proved to be a very apt pupil.
One day he was studying and practicing a Chou era Shorinji technique and was confronted by his teachers and tested because of his supposed commensurate skill in this particular technique. Every attack that was initiated by him was countered and he was thrown to the ground.
Every time after that defeat when worked out he felt the pain of defeat. This urged him on to practice more and more until he perfected that technique. One day when he was practicing this Chou technique in the forest near the temple a loud noise was made by some sparrows above him the canopy of trees. This was a distraction to him. He heard the noise again and upon looking more carefully he saw a sparrow and a praying mantis locked in combat high above him in the trees.

It was strange witnessing this life and death struggle. Soon after he heard another noise like a sharp crack. The mantis had used its front appendage to strike the sparrow and the sparrow fell and did not get up.

This battle gave him such insight that he studied analyzed this technique carefully for many years until it was perfected. He knew then that the mantis he saw in the Chou forest possessed great strength. He knew he could emulate this technique and he did. He dubbed this technique the "Mantis Hand Strike".
This technique used one deflection one strike to overcome and opponent. So he added this new technique to his repertoire of Shorin Kobushi Ho hand strikes. As for Shuanan he also practiced this technique, which was taught by the sect’s leaders Toko Nambu and Yoshiko Nambu and was popular in Kosei, Fukien and Canton Provinces. These were the only places at that time were this technique could be studied. This lineage started with the father Shuanan, eldest son Ofukuko, and second son Keiyoji, and third son Shomatsu Minchu.
The Shu Ka or Shu group again used the Go/Nyu techniques together, which provided one with a good offense/defense, which enabled one to stop, check, deflect or capture or to enclose or receive an opponent. It used the natural stance, horse stance, hand fist, small fist, and open fist. These movements it was said if performed properly were as quick as lightening and devastating.
The former teacher of Mr. Uechi Kanbun Shushiwa was skilled in the Shu Ka Toro Kobushi Ho. This style has a very close resemblance to the current Uechi Ryu style especially the mantis fist. The importance here is in the study, practice and use of said fist techniques.
The Hokuha Shorin Kobushi was centered in Hopei and Shantung Provinces. This large gate group perfected the Kokoryu Ikinani Ikigai techniques also using the mantis fist. The above mentioned mantis group was a very unusual style. Of the famous 18 houses of Kobushi Ho this one was the more popular.
Meimatsu Shinchu of Shantung and his eclectic style mantis style used the elbow strike as a key weapon. One day Shinchu had the opportunity to observe a mantis and a locust locked in combat. The locust was captured by the mantis and killed with the same elbow strike. Shinchu inwardly beamed.
The Hokuha Shorin Kobushi Jutsu style and its origins are very important to research in relation to Uechi Ryu.
Meisogei of Hopei province knew also of the above gate group and its early origins as early as the Manchu Shining Peace era (1662 1722) and its teachers. Another name the style was said to have used was the Hishu Kobushi or the Hidden Fist Way.
This gate group was also established in Seika city in Hopei Province. The Wakuka family during the Minkoku Chunen (1912) developed the Jokaiseibu Taiiku Sha or a Physical Education Society. There were (7) big schools by a man named Kakugenko.
Kakugenko had one pupil named Ryuseisho. His style of Kobushi Ho was called Hachikyoku Kobushi Ho. This styles technique was based on composure and diginity. The strength from this art it was said was derived from a heavenly source. It was at a times a very fearsome style.
Kakugenko's sensei was Konbo Sensei from Somo village in Hopei Province. From the same province came another man called Rishobun who also studied this same style. He was often referred to as Shinsori. He was also associated with two other people leaders in Taiwan Ryuunbo and Fujieishitsu who had helped him develop his style.
During this time there were two other people Kyoshoshi and Kohorei who were involved in the development of the En Kobushi monkey fist way or style which was based on the monkeys quick nimble movements which incorporated speed and quick darting of bobbing movements.
We mentioned that during the Ming era there was a man named Sokukeiko and his writing the Kikokinsho. In it they talk about En Kobushi. This group was also a very important gate group. Other gate groups of the era were Tantai Monha whose founder was Genshitsu Daiho. This group’s area of operation was located in Honan, Loyan Mountain, and Daishitsu Mountain. The temple of import here was the Ryutan Ji. This temple was supposedly in Shantung Province. Supposedly the two above were from this temple but no records state this.

Another group from this area was called the Suntai Monha. They are also important in that they developed a low angular foot kicking technique. The Kikishinsho also mentions another group of the same style called Shantung Rihan Tenshitai Tantai Monha.

Shantung was famous for its diverse styles and groups that supported them. One was of Moslem or Mohammedan origin, which used another version of the above low kicking style. This group was the Dantan Monha or an offshoot of the above two.
Also in Shantung Province was the Sa Kobushi Ho which was another Moslem offshoot group developing yet another diverse kicking style. Of these kicking techniques there was also the flying foot, right circular block left low front kick and reverse using a low front rear kick.
Although the group has Moslem origins the kicks were developed in India and China. Sa was the family name and it was also known by to other names i.e., Yu Kobushi and So Kobushi. Two of the teachers of this style Yohoshin and Chogakusei went southward to teach this style and disseminate its principles.