One of the most expanded Karate-Do associations in Okinawa is OKIKUKAI – OKINAWA KARATE-DO KYOKAI (Kyokai = association), where the system of "tiger, crane and dragon" is practiced under the name ShoHeiRyu.

ShoHeiRyu name was established in November 1995 at the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Okinawa Battle and Pacific war. The name is derived from two old Chinese symbols: SHO - "shine brightly"; HEI - "beauty and attraction", "equality and same rights" and "peace", whereas the third symbol is Japanese RYU, which denotes school or style.

ShoHeiRyu, as part of the Kanbun's Karate-Do system of "tiger, crane and dragon",is characterized by what these three animals symbolize:

l Tiger giving strength and vigor,

lCrane giving softness and graciousness and

lDragon giving swiftness and unpredictability.

lTogether they symbolize firmness, briskness and flexibility.

This are basic psychophysical characteristics developed by the system. ShoHeiRyu belongs to "half soft - half hard" Karate-Do systems. ShoHeiRyu features certain specialties, which are difficult to come across in other karate schools, such as:

lA stroke with the tip of the big toe "Sokusen-geri";

lA strike with the bent thumb "Boshiken-zuki" and

lA soft, circular block "Wa-uke".

But the greatest specialty is --- SANCHIN-KATA --- a form of isometric contractions, synchronized with a concentration AND specific way of breathing - which is the basis of this system. It is an original Chinese form known as "a form of complete tension and complete relaxation".

The system also contains specific exercises for maximum firmness of the body "KOTE-KITAI", a method of practicing combat techniques and strategy "YAKUSOKU-KUMITE" etc

OKIKUKAI ShoHeiRyu association in Okinawa features, among others, the following masters:

TOMOYOSE,
TAKARA,
INEADA,
NAKAHODO,
TAKAMIYAGI,
YONAMINE,
OMINE,
ASATO,
HIGAO,
KYUNA,
OKUHAMA,
OKUHAMA,
HIGA,
TAMAYOSE,
TOBARU,
SAKIYAMA,
KINA
YAMASHIRO,
YONAMINE,
MACHIDA,
ARAKAKI
MATSUSHIMA,
FUJIMOTO,

Ryuko
Shintoku
Hiroshi
Tsutomu
Shigeru
Kosuke
Nobumasa
Nobuhide
Toshio
Asakyo
Shimatsu
Mamatsu
Katayoshi
Katsuji
Keicho
Takeo
Keishou
Hirokuni
Masanori
Sokei
Takashi
Yoshiharu
Keisuke

Hanshi
Hanshi
Hanshi
Hanshi
Hanshi
Hanshi
Hanshi
Hanshi
Hanshi
Kyoshi
Kyoshi
Kyoshi
Kyoshi
Kyoshi
Kyoshi
Kyoshi
Kyoshi
Kyoshi
Kyoshi
Kyoshi
Renshi
Renshi
Renshi

10 Dan
10 Dan
10 Dan
10 Dan
9 Dan
9 Dan
9 Dan
9 Dan
9 Dan
8 Dan
8 Dan
8 Dan
8 Dan
8 Dan
8 Dan
8 Dan
7 Dan
7 Dan
7 Dan
7 Dan
7 Dan
6 Dan
6 Dan

(student of Kanbun UECHI)
(student of Kanei UECHI)
(student of Kanei UECHI)

(student of Kanei UECHI

(student of Kanei UECHI)
(student of Kanei UECHI)
(student of Kanei UECHI)
(student of Kanei UECHI)
(student of YONAMINE, K.)
(student of YONAMINE, K.)
(student of TAKAMIYAGI, S.)
(student of Kanei UECHI
(student of Kanei UECHI
(student of Kanei UECHI)
(student of YONAMINE, K.)
(student of TAKAMIYAGI, S.)
(student of YONAMINE, K.)
(student of Kanei UECHI)

(student of TAKAMIYAGI, S.)
(OKIKUKAI Tokyo Vice-pr.)

OKIKUKAI today appart from Okinawa is also being taught in many other countries such as:

AUSTRALIA, ARGENTINA, BRAZIL, GERMANY, SWITZERLAND, GREECE, USA, INDIA, ITALY, CROATIA, GREAT BRITAIN, NETHERLANDS, SERBIA, SLOVENIA, CHILE.