I see on a Shorei-ryu page the statements:
Leaving aside any issues with the identification of the three earlier arts with Shorin, Isshin, and Goju, respectively, I find the identification of Shuri-te as external and Naha-te as internal a bit simplistic and perhaps not entirely an appropriate way of viewing an Okinawan system (through this Chinese point of view). I know Isshin thinks of itself as hard and soft but Goju does a better job of that in my opinion (as per its name), and as for Shorin I wouldn't think of it as external in comparison to Goju. Of course, I know something of the Sanchin from Goju and Isshin but not from Shorin; Goju's Tensho kata is certainly internal in nature.
Okinawa has 3 basic facets:
1). Shuri-Te (external, also known as Sho-Rin Ryu.)
2). Tomari-Te (external and internal, also known as Isshin Ryu.)
3). Naha-Te (internal, also known as Goju Ryu.)
Leaving aside any issues with the identification of the three earlier arts with Shorin, Isshin, and Goju, respectively, I find the identification of Shuri-te as external and Naha-te as internal a bit simplistic and perhaps not entirely an appropriate way of viewing an Okinawan system (through this Chinese point of view). I know Isshin thinks of itself as hard and soft but Goju does a better job of that in my opinion (as per its name), and as for Shorin I wouldn't think of it as external in comparison to Goju. Of course, I know something of the Sanchin from Goju and Isshin but not from Shorin; Goju's Tensho kata is certainly internal in nature.