Welcome to the official Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Karate South Africa web page.

You will find the history of Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo in South Africa, the latest news, and links to Shorin-Ryu Karate internationally.

Shorin-Ryu South Africa, led by Kyoshi Claude Johnson (8th Dan), practices traditional Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Karate and Kobudo( Kobayashi-Ryu ) as taught by our late Grandmaster, Shugoro Nakazato “Hanshi JuDan” and now, his son, Hanshi JuDan, Minoro Nakazato from Naha, Okinawa, Japan.

As a National organization, we are affiliated to the Okinawan Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan family via Kyoshi Pat Haley based in USA.

Our passion is Shorin-Ryu Karate and we trust that you will enjoy your visit to the home of Shorin-Ryu Karate in South Africa.

The purpose of the site is to promote Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Karate and Kobudo as well as the individual clubs across the country that promote the style in accordance with our constitution. It is the instructors who give so much time and energy into teaching the next generation that we salute with great respect. 

Our Patches

Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Karate Patch

Like most karate patches, the Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan patch is circular. The circle has no beginning and no end, representing the never-ending study of karate.

*Yellow is the royal color in China and Okinawa, and also represents light.

*The tori gate is used in Japan and Okinawa to represent the entrance to a sacred, spiritual or holy place. The gate represented on the Shorinkan patch is the Port of Courtesy, the second of six gates to Suri Castle in Naha, Okinawa, where the rulers of the Ryu-Kyu Islands resided.

*The writing on the gate itself (Shurei No Mon) means “Keep the Ceremony Door”.

*Sho – Small or Little

*Rin – Forest or grove of trees

*Ryu – Short for Ryuha, meaning System, Style or School

*Kan – Public building or meeting place, but thought of here as a place of understanding, academics and learning.

*Shorin-Ryu (in Kanji), therefore translates to “Small Forest” or “Young Forest” system of karate. In addition, Shorin is the Japanese pronunciation of Sholin, the Chinese temple from which Pechin Takahara originally came, and where the roots of Okinawan karate are found. Shorin-Ryu therefor also   means “School of Sholin”.

*Shorinkan (in Kanji) translates to “Place where Shorin is practiced”.

Kobudo Patch

1. Like most karate patches, the Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan patch is circular. The circle has no beginning and no ending, representing the never ending study of karate.  

2. Yellow is the royal colour in China and Okinawa, and also represents light.

3. The tori gate is used in Japan and Okinawa to represent the entrance to a sacred, spiritual or holy place. The gate represented on the Shorinkan patch is the Port of Courtecy, the second of six gates to Suri Castle in Naha, Okinawa, where the rulers of the Ryu-Kyu Islands resided.

4. The writing on the gate itself (Shurei No Mon) means “Keep the Ceremony Door”.

5. The Sai is a traditional Okinawan Kobudo weapon.

6. Ko – Old

7. Bu – Fighting

8. Do – Way

9. Okinawa – The island where Shorin-Ryu came from.

10. Kobudo – The Old Fighting Way

11. Kokusai – International

12. Rengokai – Association

Dojo Kun

Dojo Kun is a Japanese term, that literally translates into “Training Hall Rules”. At Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Karate Dojo, we follow the Dojo Kun, or principles, of Shorinkan Karate. These are:
1. Each person must strive for the completion and perfection of one’s character.
2. Each person must be faithful and protect the way of truth and sincerity.
3. Each person must endeavor (fostering the spirit of effort)
4. Each person must respect others and the rules of etiquette.
5. Each person must refrain from hot-blooded behavior and apply self-control (guard against impetuous courage).

Find a Dojo Near You

We have 23 Dojo’s in SA. Use our Dojo Map to find the one closest to you. 

Find DOJO