Shōrin-ryū (少林流) as in the Shaolin Temple of China. “Ryu” means “style”. Shōrin-ryū, is one of the major modern Okinawan martial arts and is one of the oldest styles of karate. It was named by Choshin Chibana in 1933, but the system itself is much older. “Shōrin” means pine tree. Shōrin-ryū combines elements of the traditional Okinawan fighting styles of Shuri-te.