A system (lets stick with Kara-te) is usually defined by certain key aspects. Some of which are:

1) The required Kata and the method to execute the kata

2) Specific 2 man drill sets

3) Knowledge of the system's Dojo Kun and/or guiding principles

4) Sparring (point, continuous, semi to full contact

5) Positioning of blocks/kicks/stances

Now once an individual starts his/her own dojo after achieving a certain rank in that designated system they instruct how they feel is the best way to distribute their knowledge. Some of their training methods may be unorthodox. But they remain with the CORE basics of the curriculum. Therefore everyone who sees them can understand that they teach.... Uechi Ryu, Shotokan, Shorin Ryu, Shito Ryu, Goju Ryu, etc. And if anyone from that same system moves and finds another instructor who teaches what they have previously studied they can basically pick up where they left off based on the STANDARDIZED CORE CURRICULUM.

That being said.. RYUKYU KEMPO was devised by Seiyu Oyata and this was the orgininal name prior to being changed to RYU-TE.

The main CORE aspects of this type of kara-te are:

1) The kata taught in a specific sequence and positioning:

Naihanchi Shodan
Naihanchi Nidan
Naihanchi Sandan
Tomari Seisan
Pinan Shodan
Pinan Nidan
Pinan Sandan
Pinan Yondan
Pinan Godan
Naihanchi Shodan (Timing done for Shodan level) - Unique to Ryukyu Kempo from my understanding.

2) Tuite/Kyusho/Atemi Jitsu - Although inherent in all systems of combat it seems Ryukyu Kempo was one of the first (not the first) to revitalize this aspect of training.

3) Bogu Kumite - A hard system of full contact sparring devised by Shigeru Nakamura of Okinawa Kenpo (Oyata's primary instructor and where the 12 empty handed kata come from).

The question that now comes to mind is this.... Does DKI teach this core curriculum. And if not... how can you say that you truely are teaching/learning Ryukyu Kempo?

Kind regards,

"I'm gonna come at you like a spider monkey"