| Developed by Master Tatsuo Shimabuku, Isshin-ryu Karate was formally recognised in 1956. Tatsuo Shimabuku, studied with many of Okinawa's foremost karate masters including Chotoku Kyan, Miyagi Chojun, and Choki Motobu. He was recognized by his peers as being highly proficient in both the Shorin-ryu (Shuri-te) and Goju-ryu (Naha-te) systems of karate.
Over the years, Tatsuo Shimabuku began to experiment and develop his own ideas and principles on what karate, as an effective system of self-defense, should be. He combined the principles and techniques from the two styles he had become proficient in with ideas from kumite training with Choki Motobu, and began to develop his own personal system of karate. He incorporated kata from Shuri-te, Naha-te, and Tomari-te. He developed basic techniques and kumite drills to help unlock the secrets of these kata. After working with, and exchanging ideas, with Okinawan kobudo master Taira Shinken, he incorporated traditional kobudo kata into his system.
Isshin-ryu Karate is based on practical and efficient self-defense. It is a well rounded system of karate which, at the basic level, consists of effective blocking, punching, and kicking skills. However, as the student's skills begin to progress, principles such as simultaneous blocking and stiking, trapping and striking, tai -sabaki (evasive body movement), torite (joint-locking), grappling, and kyusho-jitsu (pressure point striking) begin to emerge. Classical Isshin-ryu Karate training puts the "art" back in the term "striking art."
Of course, not all Isshin-ryu karate schools focus on the classical approach to karate training. Most have chosen to follow the "sport" karate path. That is fine. However, it is important to realize that "sport" karate schools focus on about 1/10 of the total Isshin-ryu Karate picture. |
