Disciplines We Teach

Karate

Karate (empty hand) is an ancient system of weaponless combat. It is rooted in Okinawa, which is situated between China and Japan. Karate was indigenous to the RyuKyu culture that lived there. For hundreds of years weapons bans forced the Okinawans to use only their bodies and farm and fishing implements to protect themselves. Karate was first known as “Chinese Hand” or “Tang Hand” but was changed to “Empty Hand” by Gichin Funakoshi. The style of karate we study is called Shorin-ryu (little forest style). It is one of the major modern Okinawan martial arts and is one of the oldest styles of karate. Choshin Chibana named it in 1933, but the roots stretch far before that.

Kobudo

Okinawan kobudo is a Japanese term that can be translated as "old martial way of Okinawa". Okinawan kobudo refers to the weapon systems of Okinawan martial arts. These systems can have from one to as many as a dozen weapons in their curriculum, among them are bo, sai, tonfa, kama, nunchaku, and eku. At Suibukan of Indiana, we study kobudo under Sensei Yamashita, who learned from the Matayoshi system.

aikido

Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art developed by Morihei Ueshiba as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. Aikido is often translated as "the way of unifying (with) life energy" or as "the way of harmonious spirit." Aikido techniques consist of entering and turning movements that redirect the momentum of an opponent's attack, and a throw or joint lock that terminates the technique.

Hojutsu

Hojutsu is the ancient Japanese word for "the Art of Gunnery." As practiced today, Hojutsu is the combination of modern techniques and traditional Japanese budo. Hojutsu trains in handgun, rifle, shotgun, submachine gun, and precision rifle. Hojutsu is primarily a shooting art, but also trains in unarmed defense, various impact weapons, edged weapons, and ground fighting. Traditional reigi (protocol) is strictly followed. Hojutsu was founded by Soke Jeff Hall, and firearms / hojutsu training is offered through our affiliation with Defensive Solutions, LLC.