HISTORY OF ISSHIN‑RYU
Okinawa
As you read and study about Okinawan history, you will no doubt find various accounts relating to the significant cultural influences that led to the development of martial arts on the island. The Okinawans, like all civilizations, had developed basic, self defense...
Where is Okinawa?
Okinawa, the birthplace of Isshin‑ryu Karate, is the largest island in a chain known as the Ryukyu Islands and is located in the Pacific Ocean approximately 350 miles south of mainland Japan. Stretching roughly 800 miles from the Japanese island of Kyushu on Japan’s...
Beginnings of Okinawan Karate: Shuri-te, Naha-te, and Tomari-te
The story of karate begins on Okinawa, the largest of the Ryukyu Islands. “Okinawa is approximately 6 miles wide and only about 70 miles long” (“A Brief History of Traditional Karate”). Okinawa is situated in the middle of the trade route between Japan to the north...
Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu
Often referred to as the “parents” of Isshin‑ryu, Shorin‑Ryu and Goju‑ryu are the two styles that Master Tatsuo Shimabuku blended to create Isshin‑ryu. Before looking at “why” Master Shimabuku blended the two styles, it is important to briefly...
Three Golden Stars of Isshin-ryu Karate: Chotokyu Kyan, Chojun Miyagi, and Choki Motobu
On the Isshin‑ryu patch are three golden stars rising above a dragon in a calm, gray sky. There are several different interpretations of the meaning of these stars. One common interpretation is that the stars stand for “mind, body, and spirit.” A second one is...
Founder of Isshin-ryu Karate
Legends are born of many notions, and when properly fed, tend to grow over time. Who among us could have ever imagined that, at roughly five feet tall and one hundred and twenty pounds, such a legend would grow as to encompass generations and to capture the essence of...
The Features of Isshin-ryu
As we know, before creating Isshin‑ryu, Master Shimabuku was extensively trained in Shorin‑ryu, Goju‑ryu and Kubodo (weapons.) Naturally, having mastered these areas meant that he was keenly familiar with the intricacies of each style. Through...
Angi Uezu
Angi Uezu was born January 3, 1935, in Chiyaranka City on the island of Saipan. His father was 6th generation Okinawan of Samurai lineage from Shuri; his ancestors served under the King of Okinawa in the city of Gushikawa. In the 1930’s work on Okinawa was hard to...
The History of Mizu Gami
One afternoon Master Shimabuku was teaching in the courtyard of his home in Agena. There was a tank in the yard that he used to collect rainwater for his thirsty students and to safeguard his family in case of drought. After a full day of teaching, Master Shimabuku...
