Initially recognized by Soke Albert C. Church as "Nippon Shiho Karano Ryu Kenpo-Jitsu", Shiho Karano as an Art/Style has evolved in to 5 divisions or Ryu-Wa.  Each of these five (listed below) constitute a vital part of the Art and each is needed to make the Style complete in it's scope and teaching. Also, since a style is basically a curriculum of teaching the technical and philosophical views of the founder, Shiho Karate does just that. For bio and lineage information about Soke Riedner and Shiho Karano Ryu, click HERE.

For The 5 Ryu-Wa of Shiho Karano are:

KARATE RYU-WA:  Is based on the Motobu-Ha Shito Ryu Soke Riedner learned in Japan in the 1960's. It has been kept as pure as possible with some  forms and additional material gleaned from Soke's training in other Karate styles. The One Step method as well as most of the Kata are Motobu-Ha Shito Ryu. Principles of basics are also drawn from Goju-Ryu and Isshin Ryu as well as breathing and other concepts from Kamishin Ryu.

JU-JITSU RYU-WA:  Is drawn from Soke's training in Hakkoryu Ju-Jitsu. As the 1st Ryu Wa to be developed, the Shiho Karano name actually reflects the philosophy and method of the Ju-Jitsu system. The student who has had training in Hakkoryu Ju-Jitsu will recognize the similarity, however, the differences will also be obvious as the Shiho Karano name and logo imply, the Ju-Jitsu system is organized around the 4 points of the compass, as follows: 

The methodology of Hakkoryu's principle + attack= variation of technique is also the foundational method of learning and training in Shiho Karano Ju-Jitsu. Emphasis is placed upon the development of technique thru the application of the scientific principles of Physics and Anatomy/kinesiology.

KENPO-JITSU:  The Kenpo-Jitsu Ryu-Wa was developed as a means of introducing and teaching the Soft Fist Ju-Jitsu type technique to Hard Fist--Karate stylists. The bridge being the use of the Karate angular X pattern of movement Soke learned in the Motobuha Shito Ryu and continued in Shiho Karano Karate. The main differences from the Ju-Jitsu Ryu-Wa lie not so much in the actual technique but their application as seen in the angular movements as opposed to the circular foot movements of Ju-Jitsu. Also, the technique are organized in categories designed to fit the Karate type stances.

KOBUDO RYU-WA:  During his training in Japan Soke Kuniba gave Dr. Reidner a set of Sai and Tonfa and started him in Kobudo. The two primary Sai forms used in Shiho Karano Kobudo are those taught by Soke Kuniba. However the Kobudo Ryu-Wa has evolved into a basic 'stick' system. The main goal is to train the student to 1st Dan level to be able to pick up and use any length stick effectively in combat. This involves the use of the BO, JO, Arnis stick and YUWARA stick. The kata taught at the Shodan level are designed to teach the basic manipulations of the particular length stick. Once the 1st Dan is reached the student may choose to continue in classical Kobudo with the Sai, Tonfa, Nun-Chucku, Kama, etc as the main course of study. He may choose instead to major at this point in Arnis and continue his training in that weapon.

IAIDO RYU-WA:  The sword was considered to be the soul of the Samurai. With it he expressed his own life, and took or preserved life. A true Japanese based martial art will not only encompass both Hard and Soft Fist elements but also teaching involving the sword if for no other reason than to practice and obtain understanding of the true nature of the martial arts. It was thus a natural expectation that Shiho Karano Ryu would also develop and practice this more 'spiritual' Martial Arts exercise. The style is drawn from several sources and our basic text is the classic "Japanese Swordsmanship" by Don Draeger and the study of the Seiti-gata curriculum.

Beginning with Breathing Concepts introduced to Soke Riedner by Dr. Roy Brown under the 'Aka Ryu Shakai Kempo' system, Dr. Riedner was more formally introduced to what is now taught as 'Ba Men Chaun Fa' by Dr. Andrew P. Tamper. Dr Tamper gave Dr. Riedner the 8 gates of Ba Qua as the basis for the continued development of the Chinese connection in terms of technique and philosophy of Tai Chi. Dr. Tamper's inheritor, Si Gong Wm Van Camp has issued Sijo recognition to Dr. Riedner for the Aka Ryu Shakai Kempo---aka Ba Men Chaun Fa. Several other Masters have made a substative contribution to the style including Soke Scott Sikes, Sifu Mike Martin and Kyoshi Earle Marvin.

BA MEN CHAUN FA  (8 gates fist way) is both a Martial Art designed for grapping/in fighting as well as a curriculum of teaching the main principles of Tai Chi which may be then applied to one's Martial Arts. The Martial/combative applications revolve around the application of the 8 gates to a combative situation. The Tai Chi forms and breathing principles are taught to enhance the students understanding of Chi flow, breathing and eventually the application of these to the 8 Gates methodology.

The 8 Gates are learned as a unit and then application is made to various attack/defense situations, using these 8 in combination as well as drawing upon the principles of Chin-Na as advised by Dr Tamper. For the Tai Chi part of the style, initial breathing principles and applications are taught first with the 8 gates used as a Tai Chi form being taught secondly. The techniques and methods of breathing are then applied to the 8 gates as well as to our basic 'organ cleansing form. The primary goals are not to see how many forms the student can learn, but rather how the student can apply the principles of breath and Chi flow to his arts as well as personal health.