Isshin-ryū facts for kids
The kanji for Isshin-Ryū Karate-Do
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| Country of origin |  Okinawa Prefecture, Japan |
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| Creator | Shimabuku Tatsuo |
| Parenthood | Shorin-ryū, Gojū-ryū, Kobudō |
Isshin-Ryū (一心流, Isshin-ryū) is a style of Okinawan karate. It was created by Tatsuo Shimabuku (島袋 龍夫) around 1947 or 1948. The name "Isshin-Ryū" was officially given on January 15, 1956.
Isshin-Ryū karate combines parts of Shorin-ryū karate, Gojū-ryū karate, and kobudō. The name means "one heart method." This can also mean "wholehearted" or "complete." In 1989, there were 336 Isshin-Ryū schools around the world. Most of these schools were in the United States.
Karate Moves: Kata
The Isshin-Ryū system is mostly learned through its kata. Kata are like a series of planned movements. They show how to punch with a vertical fist and kick with snapping kicks. These moves are often done from natural stances.
Isshin-Ryū usually includes sixteen kata. Eight are done without weapons. Three use a bo (long staff). Two use sai (forked weapons). There is also a bo-bo kumite kata, a bo-sai kumite kata, and one tuifa (handle weapon) kata. These kata include moves created by Master Shimabuku. They also include moves from the styles he learned.
Empty-Hand Kata
Seisan
Tatsuo Shimabuku learned the Seisan kata from his main teacher, Chotoku Kyan. This kata was already a common part of local traditions.
In Isshin-Ryū, students sometimes learn Seisan early. This is after they learn basic moves. In other karate styles, this kata is learned later.
Seiunchin
The Seiunchin kata came into Isshin-Ryū from Shimabuku's studies. He learned it from Chojun Miyagi, who started the Gojū-ryū style.
This kata focuses on the "shiko-dachi" stance. This is a low horse stance. The knees are bent, and the feet are angled out. The kata has sections that use special breathing and muscle tensing. It does not have obvious kicks. However, one part hints at a rising knee strike.
Naihanchi
Naihanchi [Shodan] came to Isshin-Ryū from Shimabuku's studies. He learned it from both Chotoku Kyan and Choki Motobu. This kata is very important in most karate styles.
The Isshin-Ryū version is influenced by Motobu's kumite (sparring). A special move in this kata is the "Nami ashi," or "returning wave kick." This kick can be used to sweep or redirect a low kick. It can also be a kick or knee strike to an opponent's leg.
Many people think this kata is done as if you are standing against a wall. Your opponents are to your left, right, and straight ahead. The main stance, "Naihanchi-dachi," is like "kiba-dachi." But the balls of the feet are turned inward.
Wansū
The Wanshū (also known as Wansu) kata also came from Kyan. There are different versions of this kata in Ryukyu. Some stories say it came from a Chinese visitor. He taught his fighting style openly.
Isshin-Ryū's Wansu is special because it includes two side kicks. These kicks are usually only seen in basic exercises. It is believed that Shimabuku Tatsuo himself added this change.
This form focuses on slipping and avoiding attacks up close. It also has a unique move. This move is often described as a fireman's carry throw. Because of this, some schools called it "the dumping form."
Chinto
Like most Isshin-Ryū kata, Chinto came from Kyan's teachings.
This kata is different because its movements are done on a 45-degree angle. The footwork shows slipping, deflecting, and relaxed body motion. Some instructors see Naihanchi and Wansu as basic training. They believe Chinto is the goal of that training.
Kusanku
Five of the eight empty-hand kata in Isshin-Ryū came from Chotoku Kyan. Kusanku is one of them.
Kusanku is often called a "night-fighting" kata. It teaches how to fight in the dark. The kata starts with basic grappling and close striking. It then moves to more active techniques. Its moves can be used in low light, but it's not only for night fighting.
Depending on the school, Kusanku is one of two kata in Isshin-Ryū that use the zenkutsu-dachi.
Sunsu
This kata was created by the founder of Isshin-Ryū, Shimabuku Tatsuo. He designed it around 1947. It uses moves from other Isshin-Ryū kata. It also includes techniques and ideas that Shimabuku liked. He used it as a dojo kata and a personal project before naming Isshin-Ryū. Sunsu is rarely found outside of Isshin-Ryū schools.
The Okinawa Prefecture Karate Kobudo Rengokai has recognized Sunsu as an Okinawan kata. This means Isshin-Ryū is accepted as a traditional Ryukyu martial art.
Sanchin
Sanchin came from Miyagi Chojun. It has its roots in the Gojū-ryū system. This is one of two Gojū-ryū kata in Isshin-Ryū. Before Miyagi's teaching, this kata was done with open hands and natural breathing. With Gojū-ryū, it was done with closed fists and controlled breathing.
Sanchin is known for its physical training. It also has many useful martial techniques. Shimabuku thought highly of this form. He once said, "Sanchin is for health. Without health, how can one have karate?"
Bō Kata
Tokumine no Kun
This bō (staff) form came to Isshin-Ryū from Shimabuku's time with Chōtoku Kyan. Kyan may have learned the form from Tokumine himself. Shimabuku Tatsuo said this was his favorite kata.
There are different spellings for this kata's name. This might come from a 1966 film of Tatsuo Shimabuku. The sign in the film showed "TOKOMENI" in Romaji. But the Katakana below it looked like "TOKUMINE."
Urashi no Kun
The form Urashi no Kun was taught to Shimabuku by his kobudō teacher, Shinken Taira. Taira started the Ryūkyū Kobudō Hozon Shinkokai. This group works to preserve Okinawa's weapon forms.
Shishi no Kun
Shimabuku learned this form from Shinken Taira. Taira learned it from Kenwa Mabuni.
This kata uses the bo in a horizontal way. This is different from other staff traditions.
Sai Kata
Kusanku Sai
This form was created by Shimabuku himself. He made it for learning Sai practice. Sai are forked weapons. The weapon movements in this kata replace the empty-hand moves.
The kata was first taught with kicks. Later, after 1960, the kicks were removed. Shimabuku wanted to focus more on the weapon.
Chatan Yara no Sai
Chatan Yara is the second Sai kata in Isshin-Ryū. It came from Shimabuku's training with Shinken Taira.
This form helps develop "sequential summation of movement." This is a scientific term for full-body whipping motion. The kata focuses on whipping strikes. These make up most of the offensive moves.
Kyan no Sai
This form came from Shimabuku's studies of Sai with Kyan. Or it might have been a form taught completely by Kyan. Shimabuku taught this kata in 1951. But by 1959, he stopped teaching it. He preferred Kusanku Sai instead.
Tonfa Kata
Hamahiga no Tuifa
This form came from Shimabuku's studies with Shinken Taira. It is the only Tonfa kata in the Isshin-Ryū system. Like many Okinawans, Shimabuku always called the weapon, and the kata, tuifa.
Some Isshin-Ryū schools teach the kata in a different order. However, Shimabuku Tatsuo taught the kata in the order listed above.
Other Training
Upper Body Basics
Tatsuo Shimabuku and his student Eiko Kaneshi created the first set of basic techniques. This "first chart" focuses on upper-body moves. It is special to the Isshin-Ryū system.
The exact moves can vary by school. But the first Chart One was a collection of 15 upper-body techniques. Shimabuku felt these were important for proper development.
Lower Body Basics
The second set of techniques was created at the same time as the first. These are mostly the basic kicking techniques of Isshin-Ryū. Like the first chart, the number and type of kicks can vary. The first chart had eight kicking techniques. It also had six stretching and exercise moves. A ninth kick was added later in the 1960s.
Kote-kitai
Kote-kitai is an Okinawan term for arm conditioning. This means training your arms to be strong. Other terms include Karada-kitai for body conditioning. Ashi-kitai is for feet, and fukubu-kitai is for the stomach. This training is not only in Isshin-Ryū. Other Okinawan styles like Uechi-ryu also use it.
Makiwara
The makiwara is a common tool in Okinawan martial arts. It is a strong punching post made of wood. It is wrapped in straw or soft padding.
The Makiwara helps develop the striking surfaces used in karate. It is used for resistance training. This means it helps strengthen muscles around the joints. This makes them stronger for strikes. The most common strikes are straight punches. They use different hand shapes and finger strikes.
Kumite
Kumite is free-sparring. This means sparring without a set pattern. Shimabuku was one of the first Okinawan instructors to use full Kendo armor for sparring. This allowed for full-contact training. It also helped reduce injuries. Modern equipment makes free-sparring even safer.
Shimabuku also taught 45 self-defense techniques. Some came from Isshin-Ryū kata. Others came from kata he did not include. Some were techniques Shimabuku liked. These techniques were called Kumite in the dojo. Some Isshin-Ryū groups call them Shimabuku Tatsuo no Kumite.
History of Isshin-Ryū
Tatsuo Shimabuku
Shimabuku Tatsuo (島袋龍夫) (1908–1975) was born on September 19, 1908. His birth name was Shinkichi Shimabuku. He was born in Gushikawa village, Okinawa.
Shimabuku's main teachers were Chotoku Kyan, Choki Motobu, Chojun Miyagi, and Taira Shinken. However, there are some different ideas about his training history. Shimabuku began training with his uncle, Shinko Ganeko. Ganeko later sent Shimabuku to study karate from Chotoku Kyan. Kyan was Shimabuku's most important teacher. He greatly influenced the Isshin-Ryū style.
Shimabuku opened his first dojo (training hall) in Konbu village. He started teaching in late 1946. Around this time, he changed his name to Tatsuo, meaning "Dragon Man." He taught in different villages before teaching at his house in 1948.
On January 15, 1956, he announced the name of his new karate style: Isshin-Ryū. His top student, Eiko Kaneshi, asked why he chose such a name. Tatsuo replied, "Because all things begin with one."
When he was about 50 (around 1959), Shimabuku began studying kobudō. This is the art of traditional Okinawan weapons. He learned from Shinken Taira. The weapons included the sai, bo, and tonfa. He added the kobudō he learned from Kyan and Taira into the Isshin-Ryū system.
Megami: The Goddess Symbol
Isshinryu No Megami (一心流の女神) is the symbol of Isshin-Ryū. It is often called Megami (女神, goddess) for short. You can see it on the Isshin-Ryū crest. It is often displayed in the dojo next to a picture of Tatsuo Shimabuku.
Master Shimabuku chose a special deity for the symbol. It was a half-sea-snake, half-woman figure he saw in a vision. She represents the strength of a snake and the calm nature of a woman. This shows the main idea of the style.
The symbol is based on the ryuzu kannon, a dragon deity in Japanese Buddhism. The original name was Isshin-ryu No Megami, meaning 'Goddess of Isshinryu.' Some American students also called it Mizu Gami (水神), meaning "Water Goddess." But Eiko Kaneshi, a Shinto priest, said it has nothing to do with water. Isshin-ryu no Megami, or Megami, is the correct name.
The Isshin-Ryū symbol has many meanings. The oval shape represents the vertical fist of Isshin-Ryū. The border is usually orange or yellow. It shows a ring of fire from Shimabuku's vision. The Megami is like a mother protecting her child. She is gentle but fierce towards enemies.
In the traditional symbol, the goddess has a raised right fist and a lowered open palm. Her hands show a saying among karate students: "fierce in battle and gentle in life." The small dragon above the goddess is a sea dragon. It was born in the sea but rose to the heavens. The dragon is thought to represent Master Shimabuku.
The rough seas and grey background show a terrible typhoon. This represents the unknown future and sudden problems. Her calm face means one must stay calm when facing difficulties. Finally, the three stars at the top represent Shimabuku's three main karate teachers.
Famous Isshin-Ryū Karateka
Okinawan Karateka
- Kichiro Shimabuku (born 1939) is Tatsuo Shimabuku's oldest son. He took over the Isshin-Ryū dojo and leadership after his father passed away in 1975.
- Shinsho Shimabuku (1942-c. 2004) was Tatsuo Shimabuku's younger son. He started training with his father in 1948.
- Angi Uezu (born 1935) married Tatsuo Shimabuku's third daughter. He started the Okinawan Isshin-Ryū Karate Kobudo Association in 1989.
- Tsuyoshi Uechi (born 1951) helped Isshin-Ryū become recognized as a traditional Okinawan karate form. He teaches the style to U.S. military members on Okinawa.
United States Marines (1955-1975)
Many U.S. Marines learned Isshin-Ryū from Tatsuo Shimabuku. They helped spread the style in the United States.
- Harold G. Long (1930-1998) was very important. He formed the International Isshin-Ryū Karate Association.
- Donald Hugh Nagle (1938-1999) and Long represented American Isshin-Ryū karate worldwide after Shimabuku's death.
- Harold M. Mitchum (1933-2016) was Shimabuku's first American student to reach a high rank.
- Eddie L. Johnson (born 1941) was one of Shimabuku's students from 1959 to 1961. He still teaches in Fort Worth, Texas.
- Arcenio James Advincula (born 1938) was a first-generation student of Tatsuo Shimabuku. He helped design the Isshin-Ryū patch.
American Karateka
- William Duessel (1927-2014) earned his first black belt from Tatsuo Shimabuku in 1964.
- Marilyn Fierro is one of the highest-ranking women in Isshin-Ryū karate. She was the first woman recognized as an Isshin-Ryū Master on Okinawa. She also created a safety video for girls.
- John C. Lennox (1918-1998) trained in Isshin-Ryū starting in 1960. He ran the Mudokwan Dojo in Indianapolis for 25 years. He also wrote two books about Isshin-Ryū.
Indian Karateka
- Gopu Nair (born 1981) helped Isshin-Ryū get recognized in India. He teaches in many schools and to police forces. He is also involved in other martial arts.
South American Karateka
- Juan Buruchaga (born 1959) is from Santiago, Chile. He founded the I. I. K. K. A. Isshinkan Isshin Ryu Karate Kobudo Association in Chile.
Key Features of Isshin-Ryū
Isshin-Ryū uses a vertical punch. The fingers are tucked in, and the thumb is on top of the fist. This thumb placement helps make the wrist stable when punching. A vertical punch can hit with the same power at any distance. It is also believed to be faster than other punches.
Isshin-Ryū arm blocks use the muscle at the contact point. Other styles might block with the bone. Using both bones and muscle helps absorb a strike better.
Beginners learn to use their forearms to block. This helps strengthen their forearms. Once they reach black belt, they learn that blocks can also be strikes. They can use their knuckles to hit soft areas on an attacker's arm. So, in Isshin-Ryū, there are no "pure" blocks.
Isshin-Ryū kicks are mostly "snapping" motions. They are not focused on thrusting through the target. Traditional Isshin-Ryū kicks aim mostly at the legs or groin. They do not aim above the belt. Kicks used in competitions might aim higher. But these are mostly to show flexibility and balance, not for real fighting.
