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Kyran's Karate + Listening to Okinawa Premium Membership

Step inside Listening to Okinawa and explore exclusive articles, insights, photos, and over 90 videos featuring rare instruction and perspective shaped by more than five decades of training, travel, and relationships on Okinawa.

Unlimited access to exclusive articles, insights, historical photos, and a growing video library—capturing authentic Okinawan karate knowledge through lived experience, trusted relationships, and direct lineage.

This premium membership provides access to original articles, insights, photos, and video content curated by Listening to Okinawa. All materials are presented for educational and historical preservation purposes.

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LISTENING TO OKINAWA KARATE

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Listening to Okinawa is an expansive cultural and martial archive that brings together voices from across Okinawan karate traditions and related cultural practices. Beyond technique, it explores context—history, language, philosophy, and lived experience—inviting practitioners to slow down and truly listen to what Okinawa has to teach. This collection exists to preserve nuance, encourage cross-style understanding, and honor the island as the source from which these traditions emerged.

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KYAN'S KARATE VIDEO ARCHIVE

Focused archive dedicated to preserving the technical depth, history, and internal principles of Okinawan Shorin-ryu karate. Through kata, fundamentals, lectures, and close study of body mechanics, this collection documents how traditional Okinawan karate was taught, practiced, and transmitted—without modernization or performance-driven interpretation. It is a resource for serious students seeking clarity, continuity, and a deeper understanding of classical Okinawan movement.

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KYAN'S KARATE +

LISTENING TO OKINAWA KARATE

Kyan's Karate Video Series and Listening to Okinawa presents over 90 video with Hanshi Zenpo Shimabukuro, Kyoshi Zenshun Shimabukuro and Hanshi Dan Smith. The "Listening to Okinawa video" are based on Smith's 55 years of living and visiting Okinawa. "The Listening to Okinawa" video provide in-depth information gained by personal experiences and relationships forged over five decades on Okinawa.

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Should the mold of a kata be strictly followed, or is it better to create your own interpretation? This video explores how Okinawan karate masters of the pre-20th century answered that question. Discover the wisdom of Okinawa—listen and decide for yourself.
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The Meaning of “Bu” in Budo and Kobudo The character “Bu” in Budo or Kobudo carries several meanings. But what does “Bu” represent in the Okinawan approach to self-defense? Are you truly listening to the Okinawan spirit of “Bu” as you shape your own path?
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Kata is Kata, Waza is Waza Does kata come before fighting applications, or is it the other way around? The kanji for "kata" holds the key. In this video, discover how two of Okinawa’s most senior teachers openly debated which kanji truly represents kata—and why it matters.
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Kyoshi Zenshun Shimabukuro demonstrates Gedan Otoshi Uke/Uchi, a powerful downward sweeping motion used to clear low attacks with efficiency and relaxed strength. In this lesson, he shows how to drop the body, align the forearm, and use natural movement rather than force. A clear, traditional breakdown for anyone studying Seibukan fundamentals and internal mechanics.
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“Your Body Becomes the Weapon” — A Personal Interview on Traditional Okinawan Karate In this rare and inspiring interview, a senior Okinawan karate master shares his wisdom on how the human body, through dedicated training, transforms into a powerful weapon—not for violence, but for peace, character, and discipline.
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“Fast Start-Fast Stop” is how you can best create the maximum “Whipping Action” in all blocks, strikes, punches and kicks of Kyan’s Karate. This video contains footage of Hanshi Zenpo Shimabukuro, Sensei Zenshun Shimabukuro along with instruction by Hanshi Dan Smith assisted by Zen Parker. Make sure to download a PDF of the Article "Fast Start Fast Stop" by Dan Smith.