PANGAI RYU KARATE DO

Master Helling

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HISTORY OF PANGAI RYU KARATE DO

All martial arts are believed to have originated in India by a prince named Bodhidarma. As his teaching became wide spread throughout China, Okinawans, in later years, trained under the great Chinese Masters and brought their knowledge back to Okinawa.

The island of Okinawa is famous for developing Karate to its present form. It was invaded periodically and was forced to develop its own weapons from farm tools. When these tools were not available, they used their own "empty hands" to defend themselves. The word was thus introduced. It means just that, "empty hands." It also means "without weapons."

Other names for Karate were make known by various practitioners. The work Kempo means "way of the fist." Kung Fu means "work master" or "technique."

The first so called style was called Okinawa Te. The 4 original styles taught on Okinawa until recently were: Okinawa Te, Uechi Ryu, Goju Ryu, and Shorin Ryu.

Gichen Funakoshi trained on Okinawa mastering Shorin Ryu and developed a new style which is now called Shotokan. He taught his style on mainland Japan and is known today as the father of modern day Karate.

The founder of Uechi Ryu Karate Do was Grandmaster Konban Uechi. He studied in Fukien Province, China, under a Chuan Fa Master named Cho Tsu Ho. The original name for his style was Pangainoon. The name was later changed to Uechi Ryu.

Master Chojun Miyagi also studied in China and developed his own style which is know as Goju Ryu.

In the 1970's, Master Ronald Helling trained under Grandmasters Sato Miyagi and Nakayama. It was at that time that they decided to name a new style which was made up of the best elements of all Okinawan styles. In 1977, that became a reality and Pangai Ryu Karate Do was born.

Creating a new style allowed them to develop new forms and techniques. Anything different from the original styles or forms is considered to be non-traditional. Anything that was original was considered traditional. All three teachers decided that a certain degree of non-traditional forms and techniques would be acceptable.

In 1993, Grandmaster Ron Helling was promoted to 10th Degree Black Belt or Judan by retiring Master Nakayama. Master Helling is now headmaster of his style and known as Shihan.

THE NAKAYAM & MIYAGI LEGACY

In the 18th century, karate was still in its developmental stages. Kata were not yet developed to any degree and most styles consisted only of basic techniques and drills.

Master Nakayama's distant relative on his mother's side was responsible for beginning this great legacy. His name was Koshin Sakai. He trained in China from 1780 to about 1794. His training took place in both Fukien and Honan Provinces. It was during that period of time that he learned the Kung Syang style and Chuan Fa. During that period he also trained in Kingai, which was the parent style of Goju Ryu.

Another relative, name unknown, trained under the great master Gushiken who was the teacher of master Higashiona. This was also the Kingai style (Goju-Ryu). Master Higashiona later became the teacher of master Chojun Miyagi.

Around the year 1880, the family sent Nakayama's uncle, Seiki Sakai to Fuchow Province in China. There he trained under the great master Lu Chin Woo. Master Lu taught the crane style of Shaolin Chuan Fa. This is the same master responsible for developing most of the Goju Ryu techniques and kata.

Seiki mastered the kata Kaishu (Koriyu) and Hakutsuru, both of which are not practiced today. He also mastered the Sanchin kata in three different versions. Seiki was one of the very few who learned the elements of the "Bubishi" text which consisted of drawings depicting stances and blocking techniques.

The family handed down its knowledge to Master Nakayama's father and his thirst for more training was very apparent. He continued learning other styles for the purpose of complimenting his own style and to establish a name for his style. Many names were used by different family members and that bothered him.

Part of his training took place on Okinawa under master Chojun Miyagi and two other masters. He trained there for only three years. In the late 30's, master Nakayama's father brought his family to America where they settled down in Los Angeles. There, the family started a nursery and bonsai tree business. Before coming to America, they lived in rural Kyoto.

During the war, the family was sent to an internment camp located in northern California. It was at that time that the Nakayama family used the name Nakayama. His real name was the same as a famous Japanese naval officer and because of security reasons, they decided to use his wife’s family name. His real name was never revealed to me, however, his son had mentioned the name "Yamamoto" to me on one occasion.

Master Nakayama’s oldest son, Tosio, was one of four children. He was the oldest son and his successor. He became an accountant. The youngest son is a teacher and both daughters run their own businesses. The youngest daughter lives in Reno with her family.

The original style of Karate had no name. It consisted originally of dozens of techniques and drills. Eventually, family members developed kata such as Miyagi Chin, Cho Tsu Ho, and Seiuchin. Other kata were developed but are not practiced today.

Family members taught each other techniques from several styles and systems including; Goju Ryu, Uechi Ryu, Shotokan, Shorin Ryu, and others. Most techniques were developed from Naha-te and Shuri-te, the two dominant public styles taught on Okinawa during the 18th and 19th centuries.

In 1968m the Nakayama family met and trained with Master Sato Miyagi who also resides in Los Angeles. Master Miyagi taught his complex family style of Miyagi Ryu which was a combination of Goju Ryu, Shorin Ryu, Chuan Fa, and Chinese Kempo.

Finally, in 1972, the families got together, united their styles, and called it Okinawan Chinese Kempo.

MASTER SATO MIYAGI

Not as much is known about the lineage of this great master. Somewhere along the line, he claims to be a very distant relative of the great Chojun Miyagi.

Sato Miyagi was born on Okinawa around the turn of the century. His family, like most Okinawans at that time, owned and operated a small farm outside of Nago. They moved to Japan when he was very young. While attending school there, he was given the opportunity to become a cultural exchange student.

Master Miyagi was sent to Western China. While attending school there, he was given the opportunity to become a Monk. He received his family’s permission and joined a monastery near the city of Nanching. It was there that he learned the art of Chinese Kempo and Chuan Fa.

Master Miyagi remained there for 15 years and had to return to Japan because of his father’s premature death. He had to work the family farm and take care of his mother. He soon married and fathered three children.

Because he was a reserve officer in the Imperial Army, he was called to duty during WW II. He served during the entire war and was wounded twice.

In 1946, he and his family came to America to start a new life. The operated a family import business in Los Angeles. Master Miyagi eventually retired from that business. He passed away in the early 1980’s.

Master Miyagi trained under many instructors while he lived in Japan. It is unclear which styles he studied and where he went to school.

He never taught the art that he learned while he was living in China until the late 1960’s. He formed his own family style which he called Miyagi Ryu and taught it only to family members and close friends. The Japanese were very animate about family styles and denied their existence. Thousands of family styles had existed at one time, however, today there are probably only dozens remaining.

After Master Miyagi passed away, he had no successor as his son died in an automobile accident years before.

In 1977, Master Miyagi and Master Nakayama gave permission to Sensei Ron Helling to teach their arts and call it Pangai Noon. It was later changed to Pangai Ryu. He has been chosen by fate to carry on both traditions.

Pangai Ryu History
Master Nakayama’s Lineage	Master Helling’s Teachers
unknown unknown Koshin Sakai Seiki Sakai Gushiken Lu Chin Woo Chojun Miyagi sato Miyagi other unknown masters	Fujioka Shinjo Higa Huey Chow Lee Kim N. Nakayama T. Nakayama S. Miyagi
Styles
Chuan Fa Kung Syang Kingai Naha-te Shuri-te Goju Ryu Shaolin Chuan Fa Bubushi Text	Okinawan Kempo Chinese Kempo Miyagi Ryu Shotokan Shorin Ryu Okinawa Te Pangainoon Uechi Ryu

SHODAN:

No minimum limit.

NIDAN:

Over 1 year after acquiring Shodan.

SANDAN:

Over 1 year after acquiring Nidan.

YONDAN:

Over 4 years after acquiring Sandan.

GODAN:

Over 3 years after acquiring Yondan.

ROKUDAN:

Over 5 years after acquiring Godan.

All other promotions up to 8th Dan are determined by the association, Grandmaster of our style, and the Board of Directors. A minimum of 20 years after Shodan must have passed in order for a sensei to be promoted to 7th degree or higher. The candidate must have been teaching for at least 15 years. He must also own and operate his own Dojo. No student will ever be promoted higher than 9th degree unless he becomes the Grandmaster of that style. Only one person may be considered Grandmaster of a style.

RENSHI:

Over 5 years of continous study after acquiring his 5th Dan.

KYOSHI:

Having Renshi degree adn 10 years of practical experience in teaching Karate Do

HANSHI:

Having Kyoshi degree and still continuing the study of Karate after the age of 60.

HANSHI SEI:

Having Hanshi degree and still continuing the study of Karate after the age of 70.

Note:

There are no exceptions for promotions after Sandan. No black belts can be promoted unless the instructor holds the rank of Yondan or higher and operates his own school. No student can receive any types of certifictions unless he is promoted or certified by a Yondan or above. That will include: weapons certifications, self-defense certifications, referee, and instructor certifications. An instructor under the rank of Yondan cna only promote karate students through first degree brown belt. There will be no exceptions to these rules.

If you are interested in joining our federation, please E-mail your request. We will send you an application. A processing fee of $5.00 will be charged for handling, processing, and postage.

Copyright © 2000 Dr. Ronald Helling
Pangai Ryu Budo Kai Karate Do
Hesperia, CA

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