About Shido-kan Shorin-ryu

OUR STYLE OF MARTIAL ART

ESTEEMED MASTERS

KARATE STL FOUNDER & HEAD INSTRUCTOR

CHRONOLOGY OF KARATE STL

THE DOJO

AFFILIATED DOJOS

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OUR STYLE OF MARTIAL ART

Karate (empty hand), including Shido-kan Shorin-ryu, originated on the island of Okinawa.  Okinawa Prefecture consists of 57 islands located in the South Pacific.  The main island of Okinawa is the nucleus where the prefectural capital, Naha City, is located.  Among the major Asian cities within close proximity are Taipei, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul, Manila and Tokyo.

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At KARATE STL we teach    karate as the art of   weaponless self-defense     from which a student may acquire confidence and  physical expertise, while  having fun.  There is neither intimidation nor hostility.

Since karate is stressed as a martial art rather than a competitive sport, much emphasis is placed on kata, the "heart of the art," and blocking, kicking and striking skills, the learning of which is necessary for promotions to higher ranks.  Kata (or forms) are specific patterns of movement which combine various techniques of defense and offense in a rhythmic sequence.  They are the foundation from which the student assembles concentration, power, speed, balance and control.  Because the philosophy of this style is now based on peace and self-control, each action begins with a defense maneuver, followed by offense only if necessary.  Kata are performed solo.  However after attaining reasonable proficiency, the student applies the kata with three or four partners (bunkai).

Another training method is prearranged sparring (kumite) which enhances timing, reflexes and throwing (take-down) skills.  At the more advanced levels, students engage in carefully monitored and regulated free sparring with emphasis on control as well as respect for, learning from and helping each other.  The striking board (makiwara) and kicking/punching bag are also utilized to condition and strengthen the body.  Board breaking is learned, as well, but rather than a specific goal itself, it is more a peripheral benefit -- a manifestation of the strength and focus that can be accomplished as a result of karate training.  

The purpose of training in karate, therefore, is not just the cultivation and delivery of power.  Anyone can develop and train his or her body.  But to learn to channel and control that power and use it effectively, efficiently and with good judgment is the true art of karate.
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               ESTEEMED MASTERS

Grand Master CHOSHIN CHIBANA, Hanshi, 10th Dan (1885-1969), born June 5, in Torihori Village, Shuri City, Okinawa, began training in 1900 at the age of 15 with Yasutsune "Anko" Itosu.  Itosu is considered the Father of Okinawan Karate and is the first person responsible for publicly teaching the art.  Chibana was the originator of Okinawan shorin-ryu, loosely translated as "small forest style" or "pine forest style."  He also formed the Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karate-do Association in 1950 and was its first president.  Among Chibana's many awards was the Kunyonto (4th) Order of the Sacred Treasure presented by the Emperor of Japan, Hirohito, for his devotion to the study and practice of Okinawan karate-do.  He taught almost until the time he died of cancer at the advanced age of 83.  Most senior student of Grand Master Chibana is Katsuya Miyahira.

KATSUYA MIYAHIRA Hanshi, who holds the highest rank of 10th Dan, was born on August 8, 1918 in Kaneku Village, Nishihara City, Okinawa.  He started his training with Chibana Hanshi at age 15.  In 1937, Miyahira worked as a school teacher in Manchuria and taught self-defense.  He opened a dojo in Kanehisa, Nishihara, in 1948 naming it "Shido-kan."  After Chibana's death in 1969, Miyahira became and remains the President of the Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karate-do Association.  Miyahira was presented with the Martial Arts Distinguished Service Award (the highest honor of its kind in the world of Japanese martial arts) in 1989 by the president of the Japan Martial Arts Council.  Among Miyahira's major contributions has been the introduction of obligatory analytical exercises (bunkai) for each of the kata, and the deepening of the philosophical study of karate-do.

KARATE STL is under the direction of world-renowned Head Master SEIKICHI IHA, Hanshi, 10th Dan.  He is Katsuya Miyahira's most senior student, United States Branch Chief for the Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karate-do Association, and the director of the 
Beikoku (North American) Shido-kan Karate-do Association.  A "teacher of teachers," Iha is the highest ranking Okinawan master residing in the United States.  

Iha was born in Tanahara Village, Nishihara City, Okinawa Prefecture on July 9, 1932.  He began karate training under his uncle but in 1950 he was accepted as a formal student of Shinpan Gusukuma who had been a student of the famous Anko Itosu.  For four years Iha trained with Gusukuma who was a well respected authority of Shuri-te.  After Gusukuma's death in 1954, Iha was introduced to his next teacher by his good friend, Shoei Miyazato.  Iha was accepted as a student of Miyahira shortly thereafter.  

Iha taught for periods of time in Guam, the Philippines, and Okinawa (during the latter part of 1964 he began training U.S. Marines stationed at Futenma, Okinawa).  In 1967 Iha was sent to Los Angeles, California where he taught until 1975.  He moved in 1975 to Lansing, Michigan where he has resided and taught ever since. 

March 25, 2001, Iha received the title of Hanshi 10th Dan from Katsuya Miyahira.  The following July, upon the announcement of Iha's promotion, the reaction was an immensely enthusiastic standing ovation of friends, family and several hundred of his students who were present at the Beikoku Shido-kan Karate-do 25th Anniversary Celebration in East Lansing, Michigan.  Iha's rank is certified by the Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karate-do Association, Okinawa, Japan.

Iha Hanshi focuses on spreading and cultivating the knowledge of Shido-kan Shorin-ryu Karate-do as the ultimate art of self- defense, throughout the United States and the world.  A primary goal is to harmoniously work with all styles of Okinawan karate to provide the general public with a solid understanding and appreciation of this important cultural art.  He frequently tells his students, "Friendship and mutual cooperation are the most important parts of karate."
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           THE KARATE STL FOUNDER  
               & HEAD INSTRUCTOR

SHARON A. BASINGER has been training in this style of karate since 1989 and has attained the internationally certified rank of 5th Dan (degree of black belt).  She and her late husband R. Gordon Basinger* (7/11/40 - 12/27/02) trained and advanced through the ranks together, initially under the tutelage of Lonnie Schwartz, Sensei 6th Dan of Dallas, Texas.  In October 2000, KARATE STL was awarded the certification of Shibu Dojo, so since then it has been directly under the supervision and teaching of Head Master Seikichi Iha, Hanshi 10th Dan, based in Lansing, Michigan.  

KARATE STL is the only dojo in the state of Missouri certified by Iha Hanshi, and recognized by the Beikoku Shido-kan Karate-do Association and the Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karate-do Association.  Basinger has been head instructor at this dojo since its inception in 1995.  Her students range in ages 4 to 74. 

She has also previously studied other styles of Karate and Judo in the St. Louis area.  She and her husband ultimately concluded that Okinawan Shido-kan Shorin-ryu Karate-do not only promised but also provided the authentic training and philosophy they had been seeking all along.

Basinger feels extremely privileged and honored to have received karate instruction from Miyahira Hanshi in Lansing, Michigan in 1996, as well as at Miyahira's dojo (see right) while she was in Naha City competing in the 1997 Okinawa Karate & Kobudo World Tournament where she placed 8th in her division.  The televised tournament celebrated the inaugural commemoration and grand opening of the enormous Okinawa Kenritsu Budokan (Okinawa Prefectural Hall of Martial Arts - see left).  Participating in the government-sponsored event were over 2,000 competitors from 50 countries.  

Basinger is particularly fortunate to continually have numerous and frequent opportunities to study with Iha Hanshi personally.  The priceless benefits of this training are then brought back to her students.  In addition, Iha conducts karate training seminars in St. Louis at KARATE STL, usually twice a year.

Among Basinger's previous careers:  Licensed Missouri real estate broker (commercial property acquisitions with a public fund real estate syndication firm); commercial and multi-family residential property manager; interior designer for commercial offices.

KARATE STL adult black belts are George Fortier, 2nd Dan, and Glenda and Bryan Petrofsky, Kristina Carpenter and Ameer Syed, 1st Dan.  Junior Black Belts are Krystal Carpenter and Candice Turner.  Ameer Syed, as well as Stephanie Faulkingham and Kevin Queen, 1st Kyu, are assistant instructors on a regular basis.  Tony Bui, 1st Kyu and Kathy Royer, 4th Kyu assist when possible.  As a supplement to their training, these dedicated students also often travel with Basinger Sensei to Lansing, Michigan, for even further instruction from Iha Hanshi.  All of these students began as white belts and have since achieved their internationally certified ranks as a result of diligent training under the direction of Basinger Sensei at KARATE STL.   

*  Further information and news article on Mr. Basinger.
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         CHRONOLOGY OF KARATE STL

October 7, 1995 - Six months after returning to St. Louis (after living 11 years in Dallas, TX) Sensei Sharon and Gordon Basinger held a Men & Women's Self-defense Seminar at Westport Athletic Club, Maryland Heights, MO to determine if there was sufficient local interest to warrant opening a dojo.  Only 5 people enrolled; however, the Basingers were not deterred.  

October 11, 1995 - Authorized and sanctioned by Head Master Seikichi Iha, the Basingers opened their Shido-kan dojo at Westport Athletic Club.  In the first 12-week session, a total enrollment of 23 students (15 adults in Wednesday/Saturday classes, and 8 children age 7-11 in the Saturday class).      
    
September 17, 1996 - Pattonville School District designated Sharon Basinger as its karate instructor.  A total of 14 students (10 children age 7-11, and 4 adults) enrolled in the first Tuesday/Thursday 6-week session at Pattonville Heights Middle School, Maryland Heights, MO.

October 29, 1996 - Sharon Basinger held her first 3-hour Women's Self-defense Seminar at Pattonville Learning Center, St. Ann, MO.  There were 7 women enrolled. 

September 17, 1998 - Sharon Basinger began teaching karate to children age 4-6 at Pattonville Heights.  31 were enrolled.

August 25, 2000 - Last karate class at Westport Athletic Club.   Shortly thereafter, WAC closed permanently.

October 22, 2000 - Karate STL was elevated from fuku shibu to shibu dojo status, by Head Master Seikichi Iha during his visit to St. Louis.  Shibu dojos are under the direct supervision, tutelage and guidance of Iha Hanshi at the Hombu dojo in Lansing, Michigan.

October 1, 2001 - Sharon Basinger began teaching karate for the City of Maryland Heights at Maryland Heights Centre.  4 children age 7-11 enrolled in the first Monday/Wednesday 6-week session.

January 16, 2002 - Sharon Basinger began teaching karate to  children age 4-6 at Maryland Heights Centre.  10 were enrolled.

December 27, 2002 - Gordon Basinger* at age 62, died of complications from cancer.

January, 2003 - After taking some time off due to her husband's death, Sharon Basinger resumed her position as head instructor at Pattonville School District and the City of Maryland Heights, and continues to hold karate class four to five days per week, and conduct periodic self-defense seminars at both locations.

September 22, 2007 - Karate STL held its first 3-hour Youth Self-defense Seminar at Maryland Heights Centre.  Sharon Basinger and her assistants taught a class of 13 children ages 8-14.   

*  Further information and news article on Mr. Basinger.
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                    THE DOJO

The dojo is traditionally known as a school or training area where students are instructed in a path which leads to self-realization.  The dojo is a hall of mental as well as physical training and is treated with particular respect and veneration by all karate students -- one always bows when entering or leaving it.  The karate dojo is no ordinary place of exercise.  It is the place where the sensei (teacher) and serious student strive to cultivate their minds toward perfection of the human spirit.


                    AFFILIATED DOJOS

In addition to KARATE STL and the many other dojos in the United States (including Alaska) and Okinawa, there are dojos elsewhere affiliated with Shido-kan Shorin-ryu Karate-do, among which include Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Guam, Israel, mainland Japan, the Philippines and Russia.  For more information, see Dojo Locator or Links.
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