Our Style
SEIYO-NO Shorin Ryu is a compilation of Kyokushin, Shuri-Te and Taekwondo systems. It has also been shaped by Judo, Jujitsu, Jujutsu, Shito-Ryu, Shotokan and Kobudo (Weapons).
Matsumura, Sokon (1797-1889) organized the Shuri-Te system. He is considered to be the father of modern martial arts and viewed as the founder of Shorin Ryu by combining the three major systems of Okinawan Karate: Shuri-Te, known for its fast offensive techniques; the powerful defensive aspects of Naha-Te; additional features from the Tomari-Te.
Incorporated in SEIYO-NO are techniques from the Chang Hung system of Taekwon-Do. This is one of the original systems unified under Korean General Choi Hong Hi in 1955.
SEIYO-NO also includes many aspects of Kyokushin Karate developed by Masatatsu (Mas) Oyama. Oyama was born in Korea and adopted by a Japanese family. He studied Goju, Chinese Shaolin and Korean martial arts. Oyama developed his methods for combat and personal self-defense and this remains SEIYO-NO’s focus.
Our Founder
SEIYO-NO SHORIN-RYU was developed by Harold J. Mead. Dr. Mead has accredited Masters and Doctoral degrees in counseling and psychological disciplines. His martial arts career began with the study of Judo in 1958. He currently holds a 7th Dan in Judo.
In 1962 he began studying Shito-Ryu Karate under Robert Sasaki, working through the Kyu ranks. In 1963, he began studying Kyokushin karate, obtaining a 3rd Dan. He currently holds a 7th Dan in Kyokushin karate. Dr. Mead received a 1st Dan in Taekwon-Do from Moon Sun Huh while serving in the U.S.A.F. in Southeast Asia. He has risen through the ranks in Taekwon-Do with the following instructors: Haeng Lee, James S. Benko, Raymond L. Walters, Lou Angel.
Culminating with a 10th Dan in Taekwon-Do, Dr. Mead received a 2nd Dan in Shuri-Te Karate, and studyed under Roberta Trias-Kelley with a 7th Dan in Shuri-Te karate.
Other Styles of martial arts and the ranks received by Dr. Mead include: 7th Dan in Aiki-Jujutsu (Moku-Roku) under Kenta Satomi; 10th Dan Seibukan karate under Kenta Satomi; 10th Dan Kobudo under Kenta Satomi, Kenta Satomi is a 10th Dan in the martial arts systems mentioned above; Shorin-Ryu karate from 4th Dan to 10th Dan under Kitahard, Tatsuz, 10th Dan.
All of the Japanese ranks are accredited by and affiliated and sponsored by the ALL-JAPAN SEIBUKAN MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATION also under the ALL-JAPAN SEIBUKAN MARTIAL ARTS ASSOCIATION.
George Parulski, Jr., 10th Dan, was Dr. Mead’s personal instructor under all of the Japanese martial arts he has studied. Without his expertise, the above may not have happened. Dr. Mead has also studied OKAZAKI-HA SHIN TENSHIN SHIN YO-RYU (George Parulski, Jr. 10th Dan) and Horikawa SOKE, oversees all of the above arts that George Parulski, Jr., 10th Dan teaches.