Shorin

Shorin is a term used in East Asian martial arts and Buddhist contexts to refer to Shaolin, the tradition associated with the Shaolin Monastery in China. In Japanese readings, the characters 少林 are pronounced Shōrin, and in Okinawan karate they are rendered as Shorin. The term is most often encountered in two contexts: as part of the Okinawan karate designation Shorin-ryu and in modern Japanese martial arts names that invoke Shaolin heritage.

In Okinawan karate, Shorin-ryu refers to a group of styles that trace their origins to Shaolin martial arts via Chinese instructors who passed through Okinawa. Shorin-ryu styles are typically associated with fast, linear techniques, emphasis on footwork and evasion, and training that includes forms and drills believed to reflect Shaolin influence. The Shorin lineage comprises several distinct schools, each with its own forms and methods, but sharing an emphasis on speed, precision, and agility.

Shorinji Kempo, founded in 1947 by Doshin So, is a distinct modern martial art that also uses the Shorin designation in its name. It combines self-defense techniques with a philosophical and spiritual framework inspired by Shaolin traditions, but it is organized as a contemporary art rather than a traditional Okinawan karate system.

Overall, the use of Shorin in names signals an association with Shaolin heritage, whether in historical Okinawan teaching, modern Japanese martial arts, or broader martial-arts culture.