From Japanese 空 手, Karate (empty hand) is a traditional martial art that has its origins during the XVI century in the native martial arts techniques of the Ryū Kyū islands (today Okinawa) belonging to Japan. It’s characterized by the use of the fists “Te / To-de / Tuidi 唐手”, in addition to techniques from the native fighting or “Tegumi 手組”, and it is also influenced by some styles of Chinese martial arts.

According to Okinawan culture, Karate builds a strong spirit of strength that never gives up under any circumstances. It is also a martial art that cultivates a person who loves peace and respects courtesy. According to one theory, it is said that Karate was born to protect oneself from predators by using the body without weapons.

Currently, more than 40 million people practice Okinawan Karate and Kobudō in more than 140 countries. Okinawan art is widely recognized for its effectiveness in self-defense and in cultivating spiritual virtues strictly based on the ancient samurai code, the Bushidō 武士道 code.

ISSHINRYū KARATE

ISSHIN RYŪ 一心流 corresponds to the system of Okinawan roots founded by Tatsuo Shimabuku 島袋龍夫(1908-1975) in January of 1956; considering this date as the official time when Tatsuo Sensei named his system of Karate and Kobudo by the name of  Isshin Ryu. It is extremely important to point out that only after long years of training and personal research with the renowned Masters of the time, Tatsuo Sensei came to consolidate the style we know today.

Isshin Ryū has strong influences from the most significant and important Ryū-Ha in Okinawa such as the Goju Ryū 剛柔流 that Master Shimabuku practised under the guidance of Miyagi Chōjun 宮城 長順 sensei (1888 –1953); of Shorin Ryū  少林流 practised with Kyan Chotoku 喜 屋 武 朝 徳 sensei (1970 – 1945) and commendable practice with  Motobu “Saru” Chōki 本部 朝基 (1870–1944) sensei. In addition, Master Shimabuku gave space to complement his martial art by learning Kobudō 古武道 with the important referent and legendary Shinken Taira 平 信賢 (1897–1970) sensei and with Moden Yabiku  sensei (1880–1941).

Finally, the technical knowledge of Isshin Ryū in the present time is the operation of the strong principles of Naha te (Miyagi Chogun), Shuri Te (Kyan Chotoku), Tomari Te (Motobu Choki) and of Kobujutsu of Shinken Taira Sensei.

After Master Shimabuku’s death (May 1975) the future of Isshin Ryu had a geographical expansion throughout the world, particularly in the United States due to the to the strong development that took place within the USA army bases in Okinawa, through the military stationed in them, who trained systematically under the instruction of Shimabuku sensei for many years.

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Currently in Okinawa there are three major Isshinryu lines. One of them is led by the son of Tatsuo Shimabuku sensei, Shimabuku Kishiro sensei, who founded the IWKA (Isshinryu World Karate Association). The line of Uezu Angi sensei, son-in-law of Master Shimabuku, who founded the OIKKA in 1990 沖縄一心流空手古武道協会(Okinawa Isshinryu Karate & Kobudo Association).

Currently, the youngest representative who works for the Isshinryu flourish and be taught as it was done by its founder, is Uechi Tsuyoshi sensei, Okinawa Prefecture and Karate Kaikan’s representative for the Ryū Ha. It is Tsuyoshi Uechi sensei who founds the IOTKA一心流沖縄伝統空手道協会(Isshinryu Okinawa Traditional Karate Association) which has representatives and practitioners in Europe, Oceania, the USA and South America.

Seishinkan’s contact with Isshinryu dates back to the 1989 through the pioneer of karate in Chile, Hernán Moncada sensei, who mentions to Osvaldo sensei for the first time the name of a particular style of Okinawan Karate which stands out for its vertical punches and use the muscular area to absorb the attacks of the opponent.

Later and with the passing of the years, various referents and former practitioners in the continent have developed Isshinryū under the protection of their own organisations.

THE ISSHINRYŪ SYLLABUS

一 心 流 空 手 基 本

• 15 Upper Body Kihon 基本 Te Nobu
• 15 Lower Body  Kihon 基本 Ashi Nobu
• 8 Empty Hand Kata 空手
• 8 Kobudō Kata
• Kote Kitae 小手鍛え
• Yakusoku Kūmite 約束 組手
• Jiyu Kūmite 自由組手

ISSHINRYŪ KARATE KATA

一 心 流  空 手 形

• Seisan十三
• Seiunchin 制 引 戦
• Naihanchi ナイハンチ
• Wansū ワンシュー
• Chintō 鎮 東
• Kusankū クーシャンク
• Sunsūスンスウ
• Sanchin三戦

ISSHINRYU KOBUDŌ KATA

一 心 流 古 武 道形

• Tokumine no Kōn 徳嶺の棍
• Urachi Bō 浦添棒 – referred as Urasoe No Kōn 浦添棒  / 浦添ぬ棍
• Shishi no Kōn 添石の棍 – sometimes referred as Sueyoshi no Kōn 添石の棍
• Chatanyara no Sai 北谷屋良ぬ釵
• Kusanku Sai – Kyan no Sai 公相君サイ
• Hamahiga no Tonfa 浜比嘉のトンファー

Domo Arigato Gozaimasu

どうもありがとうございます