Shorin-Ryu Shorin, like Shorei, is the Okinawan name for the Shaolin Monastery. The distinction between Shorin and Shorei refers to the different systems of karate practiced in the cities of Shuri/Tomari and Naha. This distinction is clearly recognizable by the use of style-specific Kata. The Kata of Shuri-te and Tomari-te either followed the same principle or were simply versions of the same Kata. The Kata practiced in Naha, however, follow a significantly different concept. Based on this, a clear distinction could be made between the Shorei karate system from Naha and the Shorin system from Shuri and Tomari.

The principles of Shorin-Ryu emphasize a fast, straightforward fighting style over distance. Also typical of Shorin-Ryu is the technique of diagonal, sideways dodging away from the opponent, as practiced in various Kata (Heian Godan, Patsai, Chinto, Jion, Jiin, Kushanku). Ducking to the ground, foot sweeps from a turn, and kicks to the face are also specialties of Shorin- Ryu. Less emphasis is placed on close combat techniques, locks, and throws, especially since these techniques, although present in Shorin-Ryu Kata, are not openly practiced and therefore recognizable. Thus, the trainee may not even be aware that he is practicing a lock or throwing technique if it looks too much like a block or strike. In general, it can be said that with all slow techniques, or techniques that begin slowly, the question of a hidden lock or throw technique is permissible. The foundation of Shorin-Ryu is the Quan Fa from Shaolin. But this was not a uniform fighting style. There were many interpretations of Quan Fa, based on imitating the fighting styles of animals such as tigers, leopards, dragons, snakes, monkeys, and cranes. Even within each animal style, different methods exist, with the White Crane school being considered the most important for Okinawan karate. Thus, the karate systems of Shuri, Tomari, and Naha developed from the knowledge of Chinese martial arts experts who lived in Shuri, Tomari, or Naha for many years for professional reasons (usually as members of official Chinese delegations). The Shuri-te system is also inextricably linked to the Chinese envoy Ko So Kun (Ku Shan Ku), who taught, among other things, the Kata Kushanku (the basis of the Shotokan version Kanku Dai). In this sense, the transmission of this Kata to the Okinawan Tode Sakugawa can be considered the beginning, or foundation, of Shorin-ryu. Sakugawa taught Sokon Matsumura, who was a teacher of Yasutsune Itosu, who in turn was one of Gichin Funakoshi's teachers. Sokon Matsumura's school is considered the most important. His version of the Kata Patsai (Bassai), the Matsumura no Bassai, is not without reason considered the most advanced form of the Bassai Kata variations. In Tomari, near Shuri, Kosaku Matsumora and Kokan Oyadomari learned from various Chinese experts such as Shjonia and Anan (not the creator of the Ryuei Ryu Kata, Anan, whose name refers to a city in China!). For example, the Tomari Kata Bassai, Chinto, Rohai, and Wanshu differ greatly from the versions practiced in Shuri. It seems that the Tomari versions have been modified less and are therefore much closer to the original Chinese versions. For example, the Kata referred to by Shihan Kanazawa as Gankaku Sho is the Tomari version of the Kata Chinto and thus a very old, original version. However, some reports (online) have described it as a new, modern interpretation of Gankaku! Make old things new for those who don't know the old and therefore consider it new and modern! Perhaps mistakes like these are precisely what help make old karate more desirable? The history and development of Shorin-ryu is more diverse than that of Shorei-ryu, not least due to the mixing of Shuri-te and Tomari-te. There are Shorin-ryu schools that contain more Shuri- te or more Tomari-te, depending on the preferences of the respective master. Yasutsune Itosu, for example, adopted many Kata from Tomari-te, but changed them in essential points or created new versions. Based on the Kata Rohai, he developed Rohai Shodan, Rohai Nidan, and Rohai Sandan. The Shotokan Kata Meikyo contains the main techniques of these three Rohai versions and can therefore be considered their summary. He also divided the originally extremely long Kata Naifanchin. It may have first been divided into several parts in the Matsumura school. What is certain, however, is that Itosu perfected the system of the three Kata Naifanchin Shodan, Nidan, and Sandan. The old, long form, however, is known only to a few old masters, such as Kenei Mabuni. Bassai Sho and Kosokun Sho, on the other hand, are Itosu's own creations and are less well known in the other Shorin-ryu schools (Kobayashi Shorin-ryu, Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu, etc.). Commonly practiced Shorin-ryu Kata are: Heian Shodan, Heian Nidan, Heian Sandan, Heian Yondan, Naifanchin Shodan, Naifanchin Nidan, Naifanchin Sandan Matsukaze (Wankan) Ananko Rohai Wanshu Patsai Chinto Gojushiho Kushanku Seishan, the foundation of Hangetsu, is primarily known in the Matsumura school. Jion, Jitte, and Jiin are found in the Itosu school. Not only do different Shorin-ryu schools place different emphasis on the composition of the Kata they use, but the physical characteristics of the respective founders also play a role. Specific ways of moving or striking depend on the fighter's constitution (tall, short, strong, weak, agility, weight). For example, a small, light fighter will prefer a fast, stealthy fighting style that offers little target area. A tall, strong fighter, on the other hand, may choose a power-focused fighting style that also allows for receiving a hit. In this sense, not all Shorin-ryu is the same. Yet, by maintaining the respective principles of each Kata, the basic method is preserved and is universally recognizable as Shorin-ryu. The most well-known "modern" versions of karate, which have their foundations in Shorin-ryu, are Shotokan and Wado-ryu. However, the relationship between Wado-ryu and Gichin Funakoshi's original "Shotokan" and Shorin-ryu is much greater than that between the "modern" version of Shotokan, which only shares the original karate with the use of Kata of the same name. Furthermore, Shorin-ryu is also an essential component of Kenwa Mabuni's Shito-ryu, which also incorporates Shorei-ryu and the White Crane forms.