Has anyone ever heard of Isshinryu?

Question

If you have do you think it is a good style of martial arts?

Answer 1

Yes, and it is a good discipline of Martial Art to study, at least to build a foundation in beginning your Martial Arts studies.

Answer 2

I took Isshin Ryu karate for several years. It is a very nice style. Very pleasant and natural. Good for developing balance and strength. Said to be a combination of Gojo Ryu and Shorin Ryu with some of Bruce Lee's stuff (forgot what it's called) mixed in.

And potentially kick someone's butt. . .

Answer 3

Yes, some good fighters in the competitions way back. Give it a couple of months (training) then decide if you like it.

Answer 4

The history of Isshinryu

Isshinryu karates founder Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei was born in Okinawa in 1908. He began his study of karate at the age of eight. His first instuctor was his uncle, who taught Shimabuku Sensei Shuri-Te (Shorin-Ryu).
Having achieved a certain degree of skill under his uncle, Shimabuku proceeded to train under Kyan Chotoku Sensei, who was one of the most famous Shorin-Ryu masters ever. From Kyan Sensei Shimabuku Sensei learned: Seisan Kata, Naihanchi Kata, Wanshu Kata, Chinto Kata and Kusanku Kata plus a Bo (Staff) Kata called Tokumeni no Kun no Dai. Kyan Sensei also taught Shimabuku advanced kicking techniques (Keri Waza).
From Kyan Sensei Shimabuku Sensei went to the founder of Goju-ryu Miyagi Chojun Sensei. Miyagi Sensei taught him Sanchin Kata and Seiunchin Kata plus Kotekitai (Forarm conditioning).


Shimabuku Sensei

Later Shimabuku trained under Motobu Choki Sensei, who was a famous Shorin-ryu Sensei and streetfighter. Motobu Sensei taught Shimabukuro Fighting techniques and a special version of Naihanchi Kata.
Shimabuku Sensei`s reputation throughout Okinawa reached its peak when World War II struck. During the early part of the war, he avoided being drafted into the Japanese Army, by escaping into the countryside where he worked as a farmer. As his karate reputation spread, many japanese soldiers organized a search for Shimabuku. The officer who finally located him agreed to keep his wherabouts silent if he would teach them Karate. It was in that manner that Shimabuku survived the war.
After the war Shimabuku combined the techinques and philosophy of his teachers into his own system, which he called Isshinryu"One heart method". Shimabuku Sensei created two new Katas: Sunsu Kata and Kusanku Sai.
Later Shimabuku was taught Kobudo (Ancient weapons art) by Taira Shinken Sensei. Taira Sensei taught Shimabuku Urashi no Kun, Shi Shi no Kun no Dai, Chatan Yara no Sai and Hamahiga No Tonfa.
After his dead in 1975, his son in law Uezu Angi Sensei took over the teaching on Okinawa. Shimabuku`s many american students continued to teach the art in America.
In 1996 Uezu Sensei retired from teaching. Uezu Sensei later apointed Uechi Tsuyoshi Sensei as the new leader of the Okinawan Isshinryu Karate & Kobudo Association.

Uezu Sensei and Uechi Sensei doing Bo - Bo Kumite

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The emblem of Isshinryu Karate

The emblem of Isshinryu karate symbolizes the "Mizu Gami"(Water Goddess), but the emblem is also called; Isshinryu Megami or Goshu Gin Sama. Its oval shape was originally designed to represent the vertical fist of Isshinryu. The symbol depicts a woman whose lower body appears to take the shape of a sea dragon. Her left hand is held open in a universal sign of peace while her right hand forms a fist. This position is adapted in the Seiunchin Kata, which comes from the Goju-ryu style of Okinawan Karate.

In oriental mythology, the sea serpent is born at the bottom of the sea and ascends into the heavens. This scene is depicted by the small dragon above the woman's head. This dragon is also Shimabukuro Sensei looking upon the Isshinryu system from heaven. The churning sea and gray background represent the swell of a typhoon. A mother caring for her child is symbolized by the Mizu Gami. Although she appears calm and gentle under these circumstances, the water Goddess can become forcefully protective should any element attempt to harm her child. Normally there are only three stars in the Mizu Gami, but Grandmaster Angi Uezu made up the "5 Star Mizu Gami".


The emblem of Isshinryu Karate "Mizu Gami"
The five stars represent: Kyan Sensei, Miyagi Sensei, Motobu Sensei, Taira Sensei and Shimabukuro Sensei.
This colorful emblem, with its deep and profound meaning, illustrates a vision experienced by Shimabukuro Sensei during his development of the Isshinryu System and symbolically expresses his goals.

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Isshinryu Code - Kempo gokui


oA persons heart is the same as heaven and earth.

oThe blood circulating is similar to the sun and moon.

oThe manner of drinking and spitting is either hard or soft.

oA persons unbalance is the same as a weight.

oThe body should be able to change direction at anytime.

oThe time to strike is when the opportunity present itself.

oThe eyes must see all sides

oThe ears must listen in all directions.


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Code of Conduct
The six articles of the Isshinryu Karate Dojo

Article 1:
The dojo is where the individual's physical condition is trained.
Believe that there is a God and human beings are his children
(Believe in your own faith but respect the rights of others to believe in theirs).
Military Art (Budo) begins with a salute and ends with the same.
Teachers and studens bow to the protecting God (Kamisama) of Isshinryu and be nice to each other.

Article 2:
Devote one's mental concentration and practice sincerely during the course of training.

Article 3:
Smoking and drinking are prohibitid while training.

Article 4:
Take good care of equipment used in training.
Article 5: Students be respectful to their teaches and teachers be courteous to the students and guide them proberly. Juniors/Seniors (Kohai/Sempai).

Article 6:
Violators of the above codes will be dismissed from the dojo.


Mr. Tatsou Shimabuku
Master of all Isshinryu Karate
10th. dan