Who are we?
Legacy Shorin Ryu Karate Jutsu is one of Canada's foremost Karate Club. Established in 1971 by Hanshi Gary Legacy, Legacy Shorin Ryu Karate Jutsu is Classical Okinawan Karate with an emphasis on proper fighting, technique, history, and discipline.
Gary Legacy, Hanshi, 10th Dan, is a pioneer of martial arts in Canada who is recognized internationally. He has trained under a number of teachers, including Benny Allen, Richard Kim, and Anthony Sandoval. Gary Legacy is the head of the Legacy Shorin Ryu Karate Jutsu association based in St. Thomas, Ontario.
Our roots go back to the foundations of karate in Okinawa and the style of Shorin Ryu, founded by Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura. Our quality of martial arts is recognized all over the world. All ranks achieved in Legacy Shorin Ryu are earned and well deserved—none are given without significant effort and training.
Kyoshi John Kittelberger and Hanshi Gary Legacy
What is our history?
Sokon "Bushi" Matsumura developed Shorin Ryu after beginning his training at age 9. Shorin Ryu, simply put, is the most effective and elite martial art forged “IN battle, FOR battle,” as Matsumura was bodyguard to three Okinawan kings and trained the palace guards.
Legacy Shorin Ryu has an unbroken lineage to these roots and most specifically to Matsumura, the founder of Shorin Ryu Karate. With kata and lessons dating back to the 1800s in Okinawa, Shorin Ryu was developed at a street level application by warriors - people whose very lives depended on it. Karate is not a sport.
Classical Martial Arts promotes harmony of the body, mind and spirit.
