Isshinryu Karate
An Unofficial Isshinryu Karate WebSite
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The Okinawan style of Martial Arts, called Isshinryu Karate-do, was developed by
Tatsuo Shimabuku. The "official" date Master Shimabuku announced his karate style was to be called "Isshinryu" was January 15, 1956 (from David D. Evseeff).
For 32 years Master Shimabuku studied Goju-ryu, Shorin-ryu and Kobudo. He formed the Isshinryu
style utilizing the best techniques of each Art. Isshinryu was known as the "Master Style" because
of its approval by all the Okinawan Karate Masters before becoming officially recognized.
A student from a traditional Japanese Karate Dojo visiting an Isshinryu Dojo would find this
style of martial arts odd. Stances are high and kicks are low. The traditional "corkscrew" punch
is not used at all, rather a vertical fist with the thumb on top locking the fist is utilized.
Also, blocks are executed vertically. Hard bone to bone are not used. Instead, the blocking area
is the muscle found between the ulna and radial bone. Isshinryu is simple and direct. The system
is based on 15 upper body techniques, 15 lower body techniques, 8 empty hand
Kata and 5 weapon Kata.
Master Shimabuku believed that no 2 people were exactly the same and each would have to
adapt their techniques to their own needs at a given moment.
Empty Hand Kata Forms:
- Seisan
- Seiuchin
- Nai Hanchi
- Wansu
- Chinto
- Kusanku
- Sunsu
- Sanchin
Weapon Kata Forms:
Source: Weapons of Isshinryu by John Lennox
Also, see: Isshinryu Karate-Do by Evseeff and
Murphey
For more on Kata, see section below
The Kanji that form the word Isshinryu translates as "One Heart Method". This Kanji also means
concentration. Isshinryu truly means to clear your consciousness of all useless or wasteful thoughts.
Allow your mind to concentrate on your ultimate goal only.
(above text borrowed from Bushido Karate
Dojo-Honbu home pages)
The direct official Isshinryu Karate association is the called the
The Purpose of the I.W.K.A. is to spread and preserve true traditional Isshin-Ryu Karate Kobudo as
created by the founder, Master Tatsuo Shimabuku, and currently taught by his eldest son, Master Kichiro
Shimabuku.
Master Kichiro Shimabuku
The I.W.K.A. was founded in 1974. There are presently over 26,000 members in this growing association
worldwide.
The I.W.K.A. issues all legitimate Dan grades as well as instructor's licenses and the traditional
titles of Renshi-Go, Kyoshi-Go, Hanshi-Go worldwide.
Every 2 years Master Kichiro Shimabuku oversees the I.W.K.A. World Championships. With the next one
planned for 1999 in New Jersey, U.S.A.
Those interested in more information in joining the I.W.K.A. or wishing more information feel free
to email at:
The Isshinryu Karate Patch (
Mizu-gami)
A Brief History of Isshinryu Karate
Founder of Isshin-Ryu: Master
Tatsuo Shimabuku
Present Head Master of Isshin-Ryu: Master Kichiro
Shimabuku
Tatsuo Shimabuku
(9/19/1908-5/30/1975) was born in Kyan Village, Okinawa.
At the age of 12, he began training with his uncle in Shuri-Te. He began his Karate training
because his older brother would frequently torment and bully him. After a few short months in
Karate, his brother no longer posed a problem for the young Shimabuku. He later studied Shorin-Ryu
under Chotoku Kyan, Goju-Ryu with Chojun Miyagi, and Shorei-Ryu under Choki Motobu.
Later in Master Shimabuku's life, he studied Okinawan Kobudo with the famous master
Shinken Taira, from whom he learned the techniques of the bo and sai. Master Shimabuku
was an 8th Dan (red and white belt) in Shorin-Ryu and also developed considerable skill
in Goju-Ryu and Shorei-Ryu.
Further information has been given us on 9/23/99:
"Acording to Shinsho Shimabuku, his father studied Kobudo from only Taira
Shinkin and Kyan.
"Kyan taught T. Shimabuku Tokumine No Kun, the rest of
the Kobudo was taught to him by Shinken. He, himself devloped Kusanku Sai.
Yabiku Moden did not teach T. Shimabuku, he was Shinken's teacher."
This disagrees with a commmon held belief as follows:
- From Kyan, Shimabuku learned Seisan, Naihanchi, Wansu, Chinto, Kusanku, and
Tokumine No Kun (Bo #1) kata
- From Miyagi, he learned Seiuchin and Sanchin
- From Motobu, he learned his version of Naihanchi kata, as well as fighting techniques
and how to properly train with the following weapons makiwara:
- From Shinken Taira, Shimabuku learned the following weapons kata:
- Chatanyara No Sai,
- Urashi Bo (Bo #2),
- Shishi No Kun (Bo #3),
- Mi Yoshi Bo,
- Tsu Yoi Bo,
- Hamahiga No Tuifa (tonfa),
- Takusan No Ki (nunchaku),
- Kiken No Ki (nunchaku), and
- a kama kata.
Master Shimabuku later incorporated two additional kata into his repertoire: Sunsu and
Kusanku Sai. Sunsu Katawas a combination of the other seven Isshinryu empty-hand kata as
well as many of Master Shimabuku's favorite fighting techniques.
[Webmaster's Note: We have been emailed the following, regarding Sunsu Kata:
According to Major Maekawa (Major Mike--Commander of the Okinawan Marine Guards
-- and a student who studied with Master Shimabuku in 1951) they already were doing Sunsu Kata.
This is long before the naming of Isshinryu. So Sunsu
is not, as some would say, the only Isshinryu Kata. Sunsu was T. Shimabuku's
own dojo kata that he had when he was still teaching Migwa Te or Sun Nsu Te
(this is what Major Mike called it). So it is a myth that Sunsu is the only Isshinryu Kata,
and the rest were from Shorin and Goju. -- Byron Marriner]
During World War II, Master Shimabuku taught Karate to the Japanese Imperial Marines.
His small business was destroyed during the war and afterwards, he worked for one of his
students transporting bricks to the construction site of the new Kadena Airbase. At this
time, he also began to teach an eclectic style of Karate called Chan Mighwa-Te (Small
Eyed Kyan's Karate), which was a combination of Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu, named in homage
of Master Shimabuku's most pervasive Karate influence, Chotoku Kyan, who died in 1945 as
a result of starvation from the war. Master Shimabuku began experimenting with a number
of new, innovative techniques, most notably the vertical punch and block which he later
added to his new system of Karate. He still taught the traditional twist punch and block
in Chan Mighwa-Te.
On January 15, 1956, he officially announced the formation of a new style of Karate,
Isshinryu, meaning "One-Heart Way." He chose this name because, according to
Shimabuku, "all things begin with One." Beginning in 1955, Shimabuku began to
instruct a number of U.S. Marines in his front yard in Kyan Village. In February 1956,
Don Nagle became the first American of note to train with Master Shimabuku at his
original dojo.
In 1957, Harold Long (Master Harold Long, a first generation student of
O-sensei Tatsuo Shimabuku, passed away October 12, 1998. He was respected
and will be missed.) also began training with Master Shimabuku in Kyan Village.
In 1958, the dojo was moved to Agena in order to be closer to the military bases
and Master Shimabuku secured a contract with the U.S. Special Services to teach
Karate to the U.S. Marines for $250 each month.
In March 1958, Harold Mitchum began training at the Agena Dojo and he soon became Master
Shimabuku's #1 American student. Other Americans of note who trained with Master Shimabuku
while serving with the Marine Corps in the early 1960s include Arsenio J. Advincula, Don
Bohan, Ed Johnson, Steve Armstrong, John
Bartusevics, Ralph Bove, Tom Lewis, and Sherman Harrill.
In 1961, Master Shimabuku, Harold Mitchum, Steve Armstrong,
and several others formed the American-Okinawan Karate Association (AOKA). Mitchum was the first AOKA
president and Steve Armstrong and Ralph Bove were association
officers.
Harold Long was later appointed as the U.S. representative of the AOKA and A.J. Advincula was the
vice-president of the association in 1963. Throughout the 1960s, Master Shimabuku continued to
teach Isshinryu to the Marines on Okinawa. Many of his American students returned to the United
States and opened dojos of their own.
In 1964, Master Shimabuku made his first trip to the United States, staying for 3 months in
Pittsburgh with Jim Morabeto. He traveled to the United States again in 1966, spending time
with Steve Armstrong in Tacoma, Washington; Harold
Long in Knoxville, Tennessee; and Don Nagle in Jersey City, New Jersey. At this time, all
three were promoted to 8th Dan by Master Shimabuku. Harold Mitchum was promoted to 8th Dan
while still training on Okinawa. Steve Armstrong
also filmed Master Shimabuku performing all 14 Isshinryu kata. Because Master Shimabuku
did not enjoy traveling, he sent his son-in-law, Angi Uezu, as his personal representative
in 1967. Uezu spent a year teaching at dojos in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.
In 1969, Toby Cooling traveled to Okinawa to train with Master Shimabuku. Prior to returning
to the United States, he was promoted to 6th Dan, becoming the last red and white belt promoted
by Master Shimabuku. In 1971, Cooling formed the Order of Isshinryu (OI), which has been regarded
as having hard-core training protocols and producing a number of excellent black belts,
including Aston Hugh and Maria Menendez.
During August 1974, Master Kichiro Shimabuku, Tatsuo's eldest son, formed the Isshinryu World
Karate Association (IWKA) with his father's blessing.
He sent out a letter to all Isshinryu practitioners that all ranks awarded prior to August 31,
1974 would be considered valid, but all ranks awarded there after must be in the IWKA in order
to be recognized. Many Isshinryu karate-ka continued to support Master Shimabuku and the IWKA.
Beginning in 1973, both Tatsuo and Kichiro Shimabuku signed the AOKA and later the IWKA
membership and promotion certificates, signifying Tatsuo Shimabuku's approval of the new
association. During December 1974, Harold Long traveled to Okinawa to seek Master Shimabuku's
permission to create a new Isshinryu association in the United States. Long and a number of
other high-ranking American Isshinryu black belts then formed the International Isshinryu
Karate Association (IIKA).
On May 30, 1975, Master Tatsuo Shimabuku passed away at his home in Agena, Okinawa, after
suffering a stroke. His eldest son, Kichiro Shimabuku, inherited the reigns of Isshinryu
Karate, the rank of 10th Dan, and title of "Soke". After Master Shimabuku's death,
Isshinryu splintered with a number of associations and independent dojos.
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Steve Armstrong continued the operation of the
American-Okinawan Karate Association (AOKA), along with Lou Lizotte and Willie Adams.
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In March 1977, Harold Mitchum, Ed Johnson, A.J. Advincula,and Milledge Murphey formed
the United Isshinryu Karate Association (UIKA)
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and Don Nagle formed the United Isshinryu Karate Federation (UIKF).
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In 1980, Harold Long created the Isshinryu Hall of Fame, with Master Tatsuo Shimabuku as the
first inductee and Harold Long as the first American inductee in 1981. Other notable inductees
in the Hall of Fame include Steve Armstrong,
Don Nagle, Harold Mitchum, Joel Buchholtz, Toby Cooling, Joel Chandler, and Ed McGrath. In 1989,
Angi Uezu left the IWKA and formed the Okinawa Isshinryu Karate and Kobudo Association (OIKKA).
He soon became one of the chief proponents of Isshinryu Karate on Okinawa.
During 1994, Toby Cooling and J.C. Burris, promoted to 9th Dan by Harold Long and Don Nagle,
formed the United Isshinryu Council (UIC), providing an umbrella organization for Isshinryu
Karate in the United States. The UIC is comprised of the International Isshinryu Karate
Association (IIKA), the United Isshinryu Karate Federation (UIKF), the Order of Isshinryu
(OI), and the Tatsuo-Kan Society (TKS). The UIC sponsors the annual Isshinryu Hall of
Fame Tournament and Banquet in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. To date, the UIC has made great
strides in uniting Isshinryu Karate in the United States.
International Isshin-Ryu World Karate Association is headquartered at:
820-4 Kinaka, Gushikawa City Okinawa, Japan 904-922
It is directed by 10th Dan Black Belt, O'Sensei Kichiro Shimabuku. The Isshinryu World
Karate Association presently has over 26,000 life members.
History provided to
J.M. Shima by
David D. Evseeff
Please visit the websites:
Isshinryu Listserv
and
The Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame Website
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