Tatsuo Shimabuku facts for kids

Tatsuo Shimabukuro (born September 19, 1908 – died May 30, 1975) was a famous Japanese martial artist from Okinawa. He created his own special style of karate called Isshin-ryū. This name means "One Heart Style" or "One Heart Way."

Early Life and Karate Training

Growing Up in Okinawa

Tatsuo Shimabukuro was born in Gushikawa village, Okinawa, on September 19, 1908. He was the first of ten children in a farming family. When he was 13, he started learning karate from his uncle. His uncle lived a few miles away in Agena Village. At first, his uncle sent him home. But after seeing how dedicated Tatsuo was, he agreed to teach him. Later, his uncle sent him to train with Chotoku Kyan. This was to help Tatsuo learn even more about karate.

Tatsuo's younger brother, Eizo Shimabukuro (born 1925), also became very good at martial arts. Eizo learned from Tatsuo and also from the same masters. These masters included Chotoku Kyan, Chojun Miyagi, Choki Motobu, and Shinken Taira. While Tatsuo created a new karate style, Eizo became a high-ranking master in Shōrin-ryū (Shōbayashi).

Becoming Strong

By the time Tatsuo was a teenager, he was very strong. He had the physical ability of someone six years older. His karate training and farm work made him very fit. He was excellent at sports events on the island. When he was 17, he often won in javelin throwing and high jump.

Around 1927, when he was 19, he began studying Shorin-ryu karate. He learned from Chotoku Kyan at Kyan's home in Yomitan village. Kyan also taught at the Okinawa Prefectural Agricultural School. Soon, Tatsuo became one of Kyan's best students. He learned important karate forms called kata, like Seisan, Naihanchi, Wansu, Chinto, and Kusanku. He also learned weapon forms like Tokumine nu kun and basic Sai. He also started learning about "Ki," which is inner energy. Tatsuo studied with Kyan until 1939.

Learning from Many Masters

Tatsuo was always interested in Naha-te karate, also known as Goju Ryu. He sought out Chojun Miyagi, who founded Goju Ryu. From Miyagi, Tatsuo learned the kata Tensho, Seiunchin, and Sanchin.

Before studying with Miyagi, Tatsuo also trained with another famous Shorin-Ryu teacher, Choki Motobu, in 1942. Motobu was known for using karate in real street fights. Tatsuo studied with Motobu for about one year.

After World War II, in 1946, Shimabukuro opened his first training hall, called a dojo. It was in the village of Konbu, near Tengan village.

Creating Isshin-ryū Karate

Developing New Skills

Tatsuo kept studying and improving his skills in both Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu. But he felt that neither style was complete enough. He became very interested in weapons, known as Kobudo. He only knew one staff kata called 'Tokumine no Kun' and basic sai techniques from Chotoku Kyan. So, he looked for the best weapons teachers. He soon became a master with the Bo (staff) and Sai (a type of weapon).

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, he continued learning Kobudō. He trained with Shinken Taira, a top student of Moden Yabiku. This training happened at Tatsuo's dojo in Agena. He learned several new weapon forms. He also created two new Sai kata: Kyan Chotoku nu Sai and Kusanku Sai. He named the first one after Chotoku Kyan to honor him.

A New Style is Born

In the late 1940s, Tatsuo began trying out different techniques and kata. These came from the Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu styles, as well as Kobudo. At first, he called his new style Chan-migwa-te. This name came from Chotoku Kyan's nickname, Chan-migwa, which meant "small-eyed Chan." He later changed the name to "Sun nu Su-te" around 1947.

By the early 1950s, Tatsuo was making his karate teaching better. He combined what he thought were the best parts of Shorin-Ryu, Goju-Ryu, and the weapon forms he had learned. He also added his own techniques. He talked to other karate masters in Okinawa about his idea to create a new style. Because he was highly respected, they gave him their blessing. However, some later changed their minds because of the big changes he made to traditional Okinawan karate.

One night in 1955, Tatsuo had a dream. In his dream, he saw the goddess Isshinryu no Megami, the Goddess of Isshinryu. Three stars appeared, which symbolized the three styles that Isshin-ryu came from: Goju-Ryu, Shorin-Ryu, and Kobudo. The stars might also mean the Physical, Mental, and Spiritual strength needed for Isshin-ryu. The calm evening sky in his dream meant that karate should only be used for self-defense.

When Tatsuo woke up, he felt his dream was a special message. On January 15, 1956, he told his students he was starting a new style of karate. After he announced this, many of his Okinawan students left, including his brother Eizo.

The symbol for Isshin-ryū karate was drawn from Tatsuo's description. It shows the goddess Isshinryu no Megami.

During his career, Tatsuo changed his name to "Tatsuo," which means "Dragon Man." When people asked about it, he would say "Tatsuo" was his professional karate name. He also had the nickname "Sun nu su," given by the mayor of Kyan Village. This was the name of a dance created by Tatsuo's grandfather.

Spreading Isshin-ryū

Teaching American Marines

In 1955, the U.S. Marine Corps was stationed in Okinawa. The Marines chose Tatsuo Shimabukuro to teach them karate. Because of his teaching, Isshin-ryū spread across the United States. Marines who returned home brought this new karate style to dojos (training halls) in America. The karate they taught was a mix of what Tatsuo thought were the best parts of different karate systems.

The first Marines to bring Isshin-ryū karate to the United States were Don Nagle and Harold Long. Don Nagle opened his dojo in North Carolina in late 1957. Harold Long opened his first dojo in California in late 1958. After leaving the military, Don Nagle moved to New Jersey and opened the first Isshin-ryū dojo in the Northeast. Harold Long went back to Tennessee and opened his first dojo there.

Other Marines who helped spread Isshin-ryū included Harold Mitchum, Steve Armstrong, and Jim Advincula. In 1960, the Okinawan-American Karate Association was formed. Harold Mitchum was its first president.

Visits to the United States

Tatsuo Shimabukuro only visited the United States twice to see his many military students. His first trip was to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1964. His second trip was in 1966. During this trip, he visited Steve Armstrong in Tacoma, Washington, Harold Long in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Donald Nagle in Jersey City, New Jersey. During this visit, Armstrong, Long, and Nagle were promoted to the rank of Hachi-Dan (Eighth Degree). These men became very important in spreading Isshin-ryū karate in the United States. Tatsuo Shimabukuro did not enjoy traveling far from home. Any future visits representing him were done by his student and son-in-law, Angi Uezu.

During his 1966 trip, Tatsuo was filmed performing all 14 Isshin-ryu kata. He also showed some basic exercises and self-defense moves. Copies of this film were shared among the top instructors.

Tatsuo Shimabukuro continued teaching at his dojo in Agena until he retired in early 1972. He passed on his legacy to his son, Kichiro Shimabukuro.

Legacy and Passing

Tatsuo Shimabukuro died from a stroke at his home in Agena village on May 30, 1975. He was 66 years old.

Isshin-ryū's Unique Forms

Tatsuo made some changes to traditional karate forms. One important change was the Sunsu kata. This kata is special to Isshin-ryu. It uses many useful techniques from other kata that Tatsuo found important.

Hall of Fame

In 1980, Tatsuo Shimabukuro was the first person to be honored in the International Isshin-ryu Karate Association's Isshin-ryū Hall of Fame.