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Mr. Pilon with Mr. Kensei Taba
in Okinawa Sept. 2007
Welcome!
This is the website of Strathroy Canada Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do as taught to Mr. Pilon by the founder of the style, and his teacher, Grandmaster Kensei Taba, Hanshi, Judan. (July 5th 1933 - July 7th 2012)
This site represents a small group of students from STRATHROY ON. CAN. Our goal is to continue to teach and advance the amazing style of Shogen Ryu Karate-Do developed by our beloved teacher. We hope you enjoy what this site has to offer and check back from time to time to see what changes have occurred. Feel free to contact us if you have questions or comments or if you are interested in arranging training with a certified Shogen-Ryu instructor.
About Shogen-Ryu
Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do is the creation of Mr. Kensei Taba, Hanshi, Judan. It is the product of his more than 60 years of training in Karate-Do under such great Karate-Do Masters as Shoshin Nagamine, Hohan Soken & Chosin Chibana. Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do could be another branch or organization of Matsubayashi-Ryu or closer to Shorin Ryu before the publishing of the Essence of Okinawan Karate- Do. It is unique.We are a small group of dojo and students of Taba Sensei that have joined together to continue to spread his style of Karate-Do.
Techniques are performed in a manner that results in the greatest speed & power possible without causing injury or harm to the person performing them. Key aspects to Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do are the use of natural movements, efficiency of movement, a relaxed body & most importantly, the use of koshi, the combination of the hips and low back, when performing techniques. While many people talk about the importance of "koshi" to get maximum power, few truly understand the anatomy and biomechanical principles to effectively use it. It is not an exaggerated movement of the hips, but a small and often imperceivable "snap" which provides incredible power to technique. Taba Sensei had an unquestionable understanding of koshi & incorporated it into his understanding of Shorin-Ryu Karate-Do. Taba Sensei created this system in which knowledge of body mechanics & that all people are not the same, as to adapted for age & the even injury is the importance solidifying its unique name Shogen Ryu Karate-Do.
Rank is earned by training &/or participating in organized events or hosting Master Maeda, (Okinawa) Mr. Pilon or Mr. Partlow (Texas, USA) and respected, not casually handed out & boasted. Titles, such as Shidoin, Renshi, Kyoshi & Hanshi, are only used in written form, as is grammatically correct in the Okinawan (Japanese) language, and Black Belt instructor(s) are addressed as "Sensei" regardless of what title they hold. In addition, everyone wears a plain white keikogi with the Association crest & Dan ranks wear a simple blackbelt with their name & "Shogen-Ryu" embroidered on the ends. No colorful uniforms with multiple patches or fancy colored or patterned belts are worn at International Events. The simple blackbelt a student receives as a Shodan could be the same belt they wear 30 years later. We welcome anyone to come train with us if you are open minded as well as value Traditional Martial Arts & TRUE Okinawa Karate-Do, please contact us & we can provide the meaning to the tradition.