History of Ryuei Ryu

Norisato Nakaima, the founder of Ryuei Ryu, was born in Okinawa, an island in the southern Pacific Ocean located south of Japan. The island was originally named Ryukyu. The inhabitants of Ryukyu supported themselves by trading with China, Korea and other Southeastern Asian countries.

Norisato was born in 1819. During this time, Ryukyu experienced a strong Chinese influence. The Chinese not only appointed their king, but also sent ambassadors to establish trade routes and carry out official business. Norisato was well disciplined in the Chinese language.

At 18 years old, Norisato would watch military officers practicing martial arts over a fence. Norisato was interested in learning a martial art too but could only learn by watching the officers practice. One day, one of the officers noticed Norisato and began speaking to him. The general took note of Norisato’s interest and invited the strong, young man to China for martial arts training.

The following year, after much preparation, Norisato traveled to China. Thanks to the general's introduction, he became a student of Master Ru Ru Ko, Shihan of the Military School of the Ching Dynasty.

At the military school, Norisato received a military officer's education, studying a range of subjects from military strategy to astrology. After several years of training under Master Ru Ru Ko, Norisato received a certificate of graduation and subsequently returned to Okinawa at the age of 26.

Norisato did not open a martial arts school due to the secrecy of the Chinese Kung Fu. He could not risk exposing the techniques of the military school. He told his family, "the power of martial arts is to support the heart and defend the body. It should not be used without good reason nor taught to others easily. It should be kept in the family and be taught to one child per generation." The Nakaima family respectfully followed Norisato's instructions.

As a result, Norisato only passed his knowledge on to one of his sons, Kenchu Nakaima, who then passed his knowledge on to one of his sons, Kenko Nakaima. In 1968, Kenko Nakaima decided it was no longer necessary to keep his family's style a secret in this modern time. He therefore taught Ryuei Ryu to his three sons and two 13 year old students, Tomohiro Arashiro and Takeshi Matsuda. Kenko Nakaima also founded the Ryuei Ryu Karate and Kobudo Preservation Society.

In 1979, Tomohiro Arashiro was chosen to introduce Ryuei Ryu to the U.S. along with his fellow student Tsutomu Kuniyoshi. Arashiro first established a foundation for Ryuei Ryu in San Diego, California. Due to Arashiro's hard work along with support from his wife, Tami Arashiro, and his senior student, Alfonso Gomez, Ryuei Ryu continues to grow in southern California, in the U.S., and in several countries.

-Dojo Kun

Nakaima Soke's 2008 Visit

(left to right) Arashiro Sensei, Sakumoto Sensei, Gomez Sensei, and Kuniyoshi Sensei

(left to right) Matsuda Sensei, Sakumoto Sensei, and Arashiro Sensei