Ryukoku Seidokan

Born on the island of Okinawa on November 23, 1930.

First studied karate at the age of 16 in Osaka, on the island of Honshu (the main island of Japan), where he lived for some time during World War II.

Instructors: Shinjato Sokichi and Shimabukuro Tatsuo (1908-1975), prior to Shimabukuro’s founding of Isshin-ryu in 1956.

Toma Shian was a junior member of the Okinawa branch of the All-Japan Karate Federation in the 1950’s. The federation was under the leadership of Toyama Kanken (founder of Shudokan). Senior members included Shimabukuro Eizo (Shobayashi Shorin-ryu), Shimabukuro Tatsuo, Nakamura Shigeru (Okinawa Kenpo), Nakazato Joen (Shorinji-ryu), and Kanashima Shinsuke (Tozan-ryu). Other junior members included Toma Seiki (Shorin-ryu), Kise Fusei (Matsumura Seito Shorin-ryu, later founder of Kenshinkan Shorin-ryu), Kuda Yuichi (Okinawa Kenpo/ Matsumura Seito Shorin-ryu/later, founder of Matsumura Kenpo), and Maeshiro Shuzen (Shorin-ryu).

Toma learned Pinan 1-5, Naihanchi, Passai-sho, basic (kihon) six-foot staff (bo) kata, and sai (a forked, metal truncheon) kata from a teacher with the family name of Uchima. Uchima had been a student of Motobu Toraju, who was believed to be a cousin of Motobu Choyu (Motobu-ryu).

Toma Shian learned tonfa (wooden grist-mill handles) kata from Odo Seikichi (Ryukyu Hon Kenpo Kobujutsu) in exchange for Tokumine no Kun.

He learned a sickle (kama) kata from Ire Matsutaro.

1961, the various groups then on Okinawa, two in particular recognized the contributions of prominent teachers by awarding them master rank. The Okinawa Kobudo Kyokai awarded master rank to Toma Shian.

1962 The All Japan Karate Federation split and Toma Shian went with the newly formed Okinawa Kenpo Renmei which subscribed to full contact traditional Okinawan kumite.  Many, like Toma Shian, had been brought up in the "hard" way and felt it was the true Okinawan way. Members of similarly traditional hard and tough individuals, led by Nakamura Shuguru and Shimabukuro Zenryo. Other prominent members included Odo Seikichi, Kuda Yuichi, and Oyata Seiyu (Ryukyu Kenpo). It thrived for several years until its members eventually drifted away to join other groups.  

While a member of the Okinawa Kenpo Renmei, Toma Shian learned additional kata that are now part of Seidokan’s standard repertoire: Ananku, Wansu, Passai, and Gojushiho. He also revised his Seisan kata to bring it in line with the version practiced within this association.

Around 1967, the Okinawa Karate Kobudo Renmei presented master grades to Toma Shian, Soken Hohan, Shimabukuro Tatsuo, Maeshiro Shuzen (Shorin-ryu), Kojo Kafa (Kojo-ryu), Kanashima Shinsuke, Matayoshi Shinpo, Nakaima Kenko, and others. It should be noted that Toma Shian was among those receiving master ranking from both groups.

A few years later, Toma Shian was awarded master rank by the Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobudo League, whose president was Nakaima Kenko.

1968 Founded: Seidokan Karate Kobudo.  Toma called his dojo "Seidokan," meaning the "place of the correct or proper way."

Early 1970’s, Toma Shian belonged to the Chubu Shorin-ryu Karate-do Rengokai. This association was affiliated with other prominent organizations on the island such as the All-Okinawa Karate Renmei and the Okinawa Karate-do Rengokai. Along with Toma Shian, founding members of the Chubu Shorin-ryu Association included Nakazato Joen, Kanashima Shinsuke, and Aragaki Seiki.

1984, the Zen Okinawa Seidokan Karate Kobudo Renmei was formed to better serve its growing number of dedicated practitioners throughout the world. The style’s core is Shorin-ryu with influences from Motobu-ryu, Okinawa Kenpo, and Goju-ryu.

Toma Shian went on to become a member of the Okinawa Karate Kobudo Renmei headed by Uehara Seikichi. He also became a personal student of Uehara. Uehara was, and is currently, the head of the Motobu-ryu system of Okinawa martial arts (bujutsu). Motobu-ryu, or more correctly "Motobu Udundi ("Goten-te" in Japanese, "Palace Hand"), is relatively little known outside Okinawa. 

From Uehara, Toma Shian learned the throwing, joint-locking, and quick-draw sword techniques (iai waza) that he often teaches in his classes today. With the inclusion of these techniques, Seidokan became a more complete fighting art consisting of punching, striking, kicking, throwing, joint locking, and a variety of weapons. It is this unique composite system, along with his willingness to teach all comers that has lead to the growth of Seidokan karate and kobudo.

The respect he garners on Okinawa was made apparent when he became a founding member of the Zen Ryukyu Butokukai and the Okinawa City Karate League. He is also widely recognized for his contributions to the international martial arts community. This is demonstrated by the high demand for him to teach courses throughout the United States and Europe. Shian Toma is truly a martial arts pioneer who has developed a rich tradition that is now taught throughout the world.

Note: A special thanks to Roy J. Hobbs and C. Michial Jones  for writing most of the excerpts above as the Seidokan Karate Kobudo History article.  And Boulahfa Mimoun Abdel-Lah, Dr. Stephen Chan, Jody Paul, Dave Bardi, and Ron Nix for their assistance in providing historical information.