Patriot Warrior Dojo

Because of the typical length of a tour of duty on Okinawa, most American students of Master Shimabuku were not on Okinawa long enough to begin learning these kumite. AJ Advincula, because of his repeated trips back to Okinawa, did learn the Kumite. Sherman Harrill was lucky enough to be present when some of Master Shimabuku's senior Okinawan students were practicing the kumite, and he had the honor of serving as uke for their practice sessions. This enabled Sensei Harrill to learn them, abeit from another point of view.

For years, these kumite were taught informally by Sensei Sherman Harrill simply as a regular part of the workout in his dojo in Carson, Iowa. Later, after comparing notes with AJ Advincula to make sure that they were both on the same page as to what the kumite were and how they were taught on Okinawa, Sensei Harrill began teaching them formally as Master Tatsuo Shimabuku's Kumite. They are an essential element in fully understanding Isshin-ryu Karate-do.

Kumite Series 1

1. Left hand hold right wrist
2. Two hands hold one wrist
3. Left hand hold right wrist from outside position
4. Right hand hold right wrist
5. Right hand hold right wrist from top

1. Outside block, inside punch Inside Block, punch side
2. Step forward, punch
3. Shoulder Block
4. Grab arm, elbow

1. Punch back of hand
2. Punch back of hand side
3. Punch back of hand knuckle

1. Knuckle block for kick, counter kick
2. Cross arm block
3. Left hand push right leg inside, counter kick
4. Knee block, kick
5. Grab leg, grab Adam's apple, trip, punch

1. Hold arm use against punch
2. Left kick
3. Right kick
4. Twist

1. One hand hold gi,grab, twist, kick
2. Two hand hold gi, push kick
3. Trip two feet kick

1. Full nelson, karate cut groin
2. Full nelson, grab leg, heel kick
3. Full nelson, grab both legs, karate cut groin
4. Back neck breaker and choke hold, cut groin

1. Bear hug waist, grab one finger, break and hit back of hand
2. Bear hug around arms and waist, grab groin
3. Head lock, grab groin, and one shoulder break
4. Head lock, knuckles in side
5. Head lock, jerk shoulders up kick legs out in front

1. Devil's handshake, grab your fist, pull, kick
2. Devil's hand shake, twist over, elbow kick

1. Two hand straight choke, break, grab Adam's apple
2. Cross arm choke, one arm shoulder up between his arms and grab Adam's apple
3. Smother hold, knuckles in side

1. Straight stab, grab hand and wrist, twist kick, trip, kick

1. Ice pick stab, block across, kick

1. Straight stab, both hands up, karate cut block, kick

1. Straight stab leaning forward, grab hand with both of yours, pull, trap at elbow

1. Two knife straight stab, squat kick

Note Because of my limited HTML skills, the format has been altered. However, the techniques are still listed correctly.

Regardless of the numbering system used, after working with the kumite for awhile, it should become apparent that there are virtually countless variations to the kumite, and that a great many of the techniques from the kata are simply variations of the kumite, or if you would rather, a great many of the kumite are simply variations of the techniques of the kata.

Spending quality time working to understand the principles that the kumite are demonstrating will greatly aid the classical karate practicioner in understanding kata.

A real clue to realizing this goal is to first understand that the kumite are not stance specific ...