Jan. 15, 2015: 59th Anniversary of the Naming of Isshin-ryu Karatedo & Kobudo. 59 years ago, Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei announced his style that he named Isshin-ryu, meaning ‘Wholeheated-Way.’ His system, combining Shorin-ryu, Goju-ryu, kobudo that he learned from Kyan Chotoku Sensei and his own innovations, was more than punching, striking and kicking. His system taught how to live life, wholeheartedly, showing compassion to others and a means to push ourselves to be better throughout our lifetime. On April 30,1960 the Okinawan Times interviewed Shimabuku Sensei and in this article he stated: Even if we cannot promote friendship between Okinawa and America through karate, my true hope is that if karate becomes popular in the USA and Hawaii, then Okinawa would also become more well understood. Shimabuku had a contract with the Marine Corps to teach them karatedo and over the past 59years, Isshin-ryu has become very popular in the United States. Shimabuku’s son, Shinso (Ciso) Shimabuku has said his father wanted to teach the Americans more, but couldn’t because of their limited time on Okinawa. We can honor him by learning and teaching what we know he taught. With each subject, their are kihon (basic/fundamental) lessons, but he also taught a ‘gokui’ or everything, which means “secrets” or “essential principles.” Without the gokui, his system of just a shell of what he wanted us to learn. Below are what is known to have been taught by Shimabku Tatsuo Sensei: - OKINAWAN CULTURE: Master Shimabuku wanted us to learn the culture of his homeland. - ISSHIN-RYU NO MEGAMI: The symbol of Isshin-ryu. Modeled after the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy and Compassion, Shimabuku Sensei said all elements of Shorin-ryu, Goju-ryu and Isshin-ryu are contained within. - ISSHIN-RYU DOJO KUN: This is the dojo ‘law’ but teaches us to work hard and to help others among other things. -ISSHIN-RYU KENPO GOKUI: These are 8 codes that teach the physical, philosophical and spiritual aspects of the system. The Kenpo Gokui is found in the Isshin-ryu No Megami and relates to the 8 empty hand kata of Isshin-ryu. -ISSHIN-RYU KIHON: Kihon are the fundamentals and include the Megami, Dojo Kun and Kenpo Gokui. The physical kihon are ‘Ashi No Bu’ (Lower Body Exercises) and ‘Te No Bu’ (Upper Body Exercises). There is physical gokui that are kihon that teaches proper body mechanics so we can generate chinkuchi. There is also Ippon and Sanbon Kumite from Te No Bu that is kihon. Isshin-ryu kihon is found in everything. - ISSHIN-RYU KOTE KITAI: A set of 3 forearm conditioning exercises. - SEISAN KATA: Teaches to defend from all directions. Hard/Soft techniques. Advancing/retreating. Seisan Bunkai Kumite. -SEIUNCHIN KATA: Foundation of Isshin-ryu. Teaches to grab, pull and end the encounter. Teaches to break holds and grabs. Seiunchin Bunkai Kumite. - NAIHANCHI KATA: The ‘Mother’ of Isshin-ryu. Shorin-ryu kihon kata. Naihanchi Bunkai Kumite. - WANSU KATA: Teaches ‘hidden fist’ meaning we don’t want to fight. Teaches to pickup and throw. Wansu Bunkai Kumite. - CHINTO KATA: Teaches to cover distance and defend against attackers from the front and back. Chinto Bunkai Kumite. - KUSANKU KATA: Shimabuku taught this as a ‘night fighting’ kata. Kusanku Bunkai Kumite. - SUNSU KATA: Shimabuku created this kata and believed it enhanced 4 of the 5 senses (the other, sense of touch, is taught in Seisan Kata). Sunsu Bunkai Kumite. - SANCHIN KATA: The ‘father’ of Isshin-ryu. Gojo-ryu kihon kata. Teaches Chinkuchi through proper body mechanics and control. Sanchin Shime (testing) and Sanchin Bunkai Kumite. -TATSUO’S KUMITE: 45 Self Defense Techniques (plus variations). - BO KIHON: Fundamental techniques of the bo. Bo/Bo Kihon Kumite. -TOKUMINE NO KUN: Bo Kata from Kyan Sensei. Tokumine No Kun Bunkai Kumite. - URASHI BO: Bo Kata from Taira Shinken Sensei. Urashi Bo Bunkai Kumite. -SHI SHI NO KUN: Bo Kata from Taira Shinken Sensei. Si Shi No Kun Bunkai Kumite. -SAI KIHON: Fundamental techniques of the Sai. Bo/Sai Kihon Kumite. - KYAN NO SAI: Sai kata he created from techniques taught to him by Kyan Sensei. Kyan No Sai Bunkai Kumite. - KUSANKU SAI: Sai kata he created from Kusanku Kata. Kusanku Sai Bunkai Kumite. - CHATAN YARA NO SAI: Sai kata he learned from Taira Sensei. Chantan Yara No Sai Bunkai Kumite. - TUIFA KIHON: Fundamental techniques of Tuifa. Bo/Tuifa Kihon Kumite. -HAMA HIGA NO TUIFA: Tuifa kata he learned from Taira Sensei. Hama Higa No Tuifa Bunkai Kumite. KANPAI TO TATSUO SHIMABUKU FOR GIVING US ISSHIN-RYU!!!
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 11:11:56 +0000
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