Ryukyu Shorinji-Ryu Karate Association RSKA

Preserve the Tradition.
Practice the Art.

Teaching the Art of Ryukyu Shorinji-Ryu Karate Jutsu

A traditional martial arts association dedicated to preserving the art, lineage, standards, discipline, and traditions of Ryukyu Shorinji-Ryu Karate Jutsu.

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Tradition

Preserving the teachings, practices, and traditions passed down through generations of martial artists.

Lineage

Maintaining a documented connection to the teachers and practitioners who came before RSKA.

Development

Supporting students as they progress from fundamentals through advanced practice and instructor development.

The Purpose of RSKA

Keeping Traditions Alive

The Ryukyu Shorinji-Ryu Karate Association exists to preserve, maintain, and develop the traditions and standards of Ryukyu Shorinji-Ryu Karate Jutsu.

RSKA supports the continued study of traditional karate, maintains its lineage and organizational standards, and provides a framework through which students, instructors, schools, and affiliated practitioners can continue their martial arts development.

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Humbō Dōjō

Appalachian Martial Arts School

Humbō Dōjō — Appalachian Martial Arts School is the Head School and physical training location of the Ryukyu Shorinji-Ryu Karate Association.

The dojo provides the physical training environment where students study the fundamentals, develop their technique, progress through the traditional curriculum, and continue toward advanced and instructor-level development.

While Humbō Dōjō serves as the physical training home of RSKA, the Association maintains its broader role in preserving lineage, standards, traditions, and organizational development.

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HUMBŌ APPALACHIAN
MARTIAL ARTS SCHOOL

The RSKA Standard

The Values Behind the Art

Martial arts training is more than physical technique. The practice develops character, responsibility, discipline, and respect for the tradition.

Discipline

Developing consistency, focus, self-control, and dedication through practice.

Respect

Respect for instructors, fellow practitioners, tradition, and the responsibility of carrying the art forward.

Strength

Building physical, technical, and mental strength through disciplined training.

Leadership

Developing the responsibility and character necessary to guide others and serve the art.

Tradition

Honoring the people, teachers, practices, and principles that came before us.

RSKA Store

Visit Our Store

Affordable martial arts supplies for students, instructors, schools, and practitioners.

The RSKA Store is designed to help make the equipment, training supplies, apparel, and martial arts essentials needed for continued practice more accessible to the martial arts community.

Our goal is simple: provide useful martial arts products at reasonable prices while supporting the continued study and practice of the martial arts.

Visit Our Store

武

Martial Arts for Everyone

Affordable supplies for training, practice, and continued development.

RSKA Lineage

Honoring the Ones That Came Before RSKA

RSKA recognizes the importance of preserving the documented lineage through which the art has been transmitted.

Our lineage represents a direct connection to Grandmaster Kenneth H. Balliet and the instructors and practitioners who helped carry the tradition forward.

Lineage is not presented as a claim of superiority. It is a responsibility to remember where the art came from and to preserve what has been entrusted to those practicing it today.

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RSKA Lineage
Tradition
Preservation

Begin Your Study

Preserve the Tradition.
Practice the Art.

Discover traditional Ryukyu Shorinji-Ryu Karate Jutsu through RSKA and Humbō Dōjō — Appalachian Martial Arts School.

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Ryukyu Shorinji-Ryu Karate Association

Okinawa vs. Japan Karate

Understanding some of the historical and training differences between Okinawan karate traditions and Japanese karate systems.

Visitor Information: These are broad historical and training tendencies, not absolute rules. Both Okinawan and Japanese karate contain many styles, organizations, instructors, and training approaches.

#	Area	Okinawan Karate	Japanese Karate
1	Historical Roots	Developed from Okinawan indigenous fighting traditions, including Tōde/Te, with influence from Chinese martial arts.	Developed largely from Okinawan karate after it was introduced to mainland Japan and subsequently reorganized and expanded there.
2	Primary Emphasis	Traditionally places strong emphasis on practical self-defense and close-range fighting.	Many Japanese systems developed greater emphasis on structured training, formalization, competition, and athletic development.
3	Fighting Distance	Often emphasizes close-quarter distance, including trapping, controlling, striking, and breaking an opponent's balance.	Often places greater emphasis on longer fighting distance, movement, timing, and entering and exiting range.
4	Kata Application	Bunkai and oyo—the practical application of kata movements—have traditionally been central to understanding the techniques.	Kata remains important, while some Japanese schools historically placed greater emphasis on standardized performance and form.
5	Stances	Traditionally tends to use stances according to their functional application, particularly for stability and close-range movement.	Some Japanese systems developed deeper, longer, and more visually pronounced stances for training, conditioning, and standardized technique.
6	Hand Techniques	Greater emphasis is often placed on close-range hand techniques, including grabbing, hooking, controlling, and short strikes.	Greater emphasis may be placed on clearly defined punches and strikes delivered with standardized mechanics and distance.
7	Body Conditioning	Traditional Okinawan systems commonly incorporate hojo undō, including makiwara and supplementary conditioning equipment.	Japanese karate also uses physical conditioning, with many systems placing significant emphasis on athletic training, speed, flexibility, and competition preparation.
8	Martial Arts Integration	Okinawan traditions often preserve techniques associated with grappling, joint manipulation, throws, and control alongside striking.	Many Japanese karate systems became more specialized around striking, although throws, sweeps, and other techniques exist in several Japanese styles.
9	Training Philosophy	Often emphasizes preserving traditional methods, practical applications, lineage, and individual interpretation of kata.	Often emphasizes standardization, systematic progression, kihon/kata/kumite structure, and organized rank and competition systems.
10	Historical Development	Remains closely connected to Okinawan martial culture and the traditions of Okinawan karate masters.	Okinawan karate was adapted to Japanese cultural and educational settings, contributing to the development of modern Japanese karate organizations and competitive systems.

RSKA: The purpose of this comparison is educational—to help visitors understand how different historical environments influenced karate training and development.

Ryukyu Shorinji-Ryu Karate Association RSKA

Preserve the Tradition. Practice the Art.

Tradition

Lineage

Development

Keeping Traditions Alive

Appalachian Martial Arts School

The Values Behind the Art

Discipline

Respect

Strength

Leadership

Tradition

Visit Our Store

Martial Arts for Everyone

Honoring the Ones That Came Before RSKA

Preserve the Tradition. Practice the Art.

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Preserve the Tradition.
Practice the Art.

Preserve the Tradition.
Practice the Art.