Ryukyu Kenpo
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: No Alignment restrictions. Minimum attributes include P.P. of 8 and P.E. of 9.
Skill Cost: 15 Years (14 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style).

Ryukyu Kenpo is an Okinawan martial art combining the arts of Naha-Te, Shuri-te, Tomari-Te and Tode into one new style. Named Ryukyu Kenpo by Taika (big house/god-like person) Seiyu Oyata in 1969, the style later came to be called RyuTe or Ryukyu Hand. Oyata received his initial instruction in the martial arts from the Japanese military during World War II, where he was required to study Iaido, Judo, and Kendo. After World War II he studied under Master Uhugushuku (Uhugusiku) No-Tan-Mei, learning many classical Okinawan weapon techniques. Uhugushuku introduced Oyata to Wakinaguri, a martial artist of Chinese ancestry who taught Oyata the arts of pressure point and vital point strikes. After the death of these two masters, Oyata moved on to study under Nakamura, who taught him twelve empty hand kata. From all these styles, Oyata developed his own style of combat which depends on execution of technique rather than strength.

Ryukyu Kenpo has improved it's techniques through centuries of development, raising bodily movement, physical blows, punches, and kicks to a level of refinement rarely seen in martial arts. True masters of this style can disarm or disable opponents in fractions of a second, perform amazing feats of physical skill, and split boards, bricks, and stone with their bare hands. Physical exercise is used to build up strength and health in the body as well as developing flexibility and suppleness. Ryukyu Kenpo combines the study of bogu kumite, kumite jutsu, kata, and kobujutsu. In Bogu kumite, protective gear (bogu) is worn to prevent injury to the student during sparring, which is done at full power and speed for the development of distancing and timing in kicking and punching. This form of training allows combat skills to be refined in practical, combat-like situations. Though primarily used by younger, healthy students, Bogu kumite is good for all ages. Kumite Jutsu is a means of disabling your opponent on his first move, which, when properly done looks like 'magic' to those viewing the style. The sophisticated bone breaking, joint locks, Kyushojutsu (nerve and organ manipulation strikes), and Tuitejutsu (nerve, joint, muscle and tendon pressuring) techniques learned for the applications of kumite are taught as two man partner drills that can also be practiced while alone. In Ryukyu Kenpo precision not strength is the key to the resolution of a threatening situation.

Kata teach the fundamental techniques employed in Ryukyu Kenpo while improving coordination and concentration. Repetition of kata also works as physical traiining to increase the overall health of practitioners through controlled breathing developed in conjunction with aerobic and anaerobic exercise routines. Weapons training, or Kobujutsu teaches awareness and coordination while instructing in the use of classical Okinawan weapons such as Bo, Chinte, Chizi kun bo, Eiku, Jo, Kama, Manji Sai, Nunchaku, Nunte bo, Sai, Tanbo, and Tonfa. Also taught is the use of improvised weaponry.

Mental conditioning is taught in addition to physical development. This is done to improve concentration, internal energy, and mental alertness. Through developing these mental attributes, a kenpo practitioner can expand auditory and visual awareness to an extraordinary degree, allowing him to sense and avoid approaching dangers. This mental training also serves to build the self-confidence of the student. Training in Ryukyu Kenpo can be found in the United States, Japan, Israel and Poland.

Special Note: Kobujutsu is a style designed to work with many forms of Okinawan martial arts, particularly Chito Ryu, Gensei Ryu, Goju Ryu, Isshin Ryu, Naha Te, Okinawa Kenpo, Ryukyu Kenpo, Shorei Ryu, Shorin Ryu, Shorinji Ryu, Shuri Te, Tomari Te, and Uechi Ryu, but not Shotokan, Wado Ryu, Shorinji-Ryu, Kyokushin, Shito Ryu, or Taido). When a character has one of the listed styles and Kobujutsu, then all the attacks per melee, bonuses, abilities, and powers of that form of Karate are used in wielding weapons, weapon proficiencies, and weapon kata of Kobujutsu. Any martial art powers and abilities from Kobujutsu are used with that style of Karate.

Costume: White Karate Gi.
Stance: Rear leg bent slightly at the knee, forward leg a few inches off the ground, forward hand loosely outstretched, rear hand loosely at waist.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +5 to Chi
Add +1 to P.S.
Add +2 to P.P.
Add +1 to P.E.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 2
Escape Moves: Maintain Balance, Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Circular Parry, Combination Parry/Attack, Disarm.
Hand Attacks: Fingertip Attack, Fore-Knuckle Fist, Hammer Fist (New!), Spear Hand (New!), Uppercut.
Basic Foot Attacks: Backward Sweep, Crescent Kick, Kick Attack, Roundhouse Kick, Snap Kick.
Jumping Foot Attacks: Flying Reverse Turn Kick, Jump Kick.
Special Attacks: Death Strike (New!), Elbow, Forearm, Headbutt.
Holds/Locks: Arm Lock, Wrist Lock.
Weapon Kata (Choose Two): W.P. Bo (staff), W.P. Kama (axe), W.P. Nunchaku (chain), W.P. Sai (forked), W.P. Tonfa (blunt).
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike, Critical Strike from Behind.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select a total of TWO (2) Martial Art Powers from among Atemi, Martial Art Techniques, and Special Kata. If desired, any number of Martial Art Powers can be traded, on a one-for-one basis, for Basic Skill Programs (excluding Physical).
Languages: Japanese
Weapon Proficiencies (Choose Five): W.P. Bo (staff), W.P. Chinte (blunt), W.P. Chizi kun bo (Blunt), W.P. Eiku (polearm), W.P. Jo (staff), W.P. Kama (axe), W.P. Nunchaku (chain), W.P. Manji Sai (foked), W.P. Nunte bo (polearm), W.P. Sai (forked), Tanbo (blunt), and W.P. Tonfa (blunt).
Philosophical Training: Zen
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Kobujutsu (2 Years), Naha Te (6 Years), Shuri Te (5 Years), Tomari Te (3 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +1 to Strike, +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Critical Strike from Behind.
2nd: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +2 to Damage.
3rd: +1 to Maintain Balance.
4th: +1 Attack per Melee.
5th: +1 to Strike, +2 to Damage.
6th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
7th: +1 to Maintain Balance, Critical Strike on a Natural 18, 19, or 20.
8th: +1 Attack per Melee.
9th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
10th: +1 to Strike, +2 to Damage.
11th: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +2 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
12th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
13th: Death Strike on a Natural 20.
14th: +1 to Strike, +2 to Damage.
15th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Atemi, Martial Art Techniques, or Special Kata.
Why Study Ryukyu Kenpo?
An interesting twist on the influences of Chinese martial arts in Ryukyu.