Isshinryu Karate
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History of Isshinryu Karate
Tatsuo Shimabuku was born on September 19, 1908, in Chun
Village, Okinawa. At the age of 8, he began training with his
uncle in Shuri-Te. He began his Karate training because his
older brother would frequently torment and bully him.
After a few short months in Karate, his brother no longer
posed a problem for the young Shimabuku. He later studied
Shorin-Ryu under Chotoku Kyan, Goju-Ryu with Chojun
Miyagi, and Shorei-Ryu under Choki Motobu. Later in his life,
he studied Okinawan Kobudo with the famous master Shinken
Taira, from whom he learned the techniques of the bo and sai.
Master Shimabuku was an 8th Dan (red and white belt) in
Shorin-Ryu and also developed considerable skill in Goju-Ryu
and Shorei-Ryu. From Kyan, Shimabuku learned Seisan,
Naihanchi, Wansu, Chinto, Kusanku, and Tokumine No Kun (Bo
#1) kata. From Miyagi, he learned Seiuchin and Sanchin, and
from Motobu, he learned his version of Naihanchi kata, as
well as fighting techniques and how to properly train with
the makiwara. From Shinken Taira, Shimabuku learned the
following weapons kata: Chatanyara No Sai, Urashi Bo (Bo
#2), Shishi No Kun (Bo #3), Mi Yoshi Bo, Tsu Yoi Bo, Hamahiga
No Tuifa (tonfa), Takusan No Ki (nunchaku), Kiken No Ki
(nunchaku), and a kama kata. Shimabuku later incorporated
two additional kata into his repertoire: Sunsu and Kusanku
Sai. Sunsu Kata was a combination of the other seven
Isshinryu empty-hand kata as well as many of Master
Shimabuku's favorite fighting techniques.
During World War II, Master Shimabuku taught Karate to the
Japanese Imperial Marines. His small business was destroyed
during the war and afterwards, he worked for one of his
students transporting bricks to the construction site of
the new Kadena Airbase. At this time, he also began to teach
an eclectic style of Karate called Chan Mighwa-Te (Small
Eyed Kyan's Karate), which was a combination of Shorin-Ryu
and Goju-Ryu, named in homage of Master Shimabuku's most
pervasive Karate influence, Chotoku Kyan, who died in 1945
as a result of starvation from the war. Master Shimabuku
began experimenting with a number of new, innovative
techniques, most notably the vertical punch and block
which he later added to his new system of Karate. He still
taught the traditional twist punch and block in Chan
Mighwa-Te.
On January 15, 1956, he officially announced the formation
of a new style of Karate, Isshinryu, meaning "One-Heart
Method." He chose this name because, according to
Shimabuku, "all things begin with One." Beginning in 1955,
Shimabuku began to instruct a number of U.S. Marines in his
front yard in Kyan Village. In February 1956, Don Nagle
became the first American of note to train with Master
Shimabuku at his original dojo. In 1957, Harold Long also
began training with Master Shimabuku in Kyan Village. In
1958, the dojo was moved to Agena in order to be closer to
the military bases and Master Shimabuku secured a contract
with the U.S. Special Services to teach Karate to the U.S.
Marines for $250 each month. In March 1958, Harold
Mitchum began training at the Agena Dojo and he soon became
Master Shimabuku's #1 American student. Other Americans of
note who trained with Master Shimabuku while serving with
the Marine Corps in the early 1960s include Arsenio J.
Advincula, Don Bohan, Ed Johnson, Steve Armstrong, John
Bartusevics, Ralph Bove, Tom Lewis, and Sherman Harrill.
In 1961, Master Shimabuku, Harold Mitchum, Steve
Armstrong, and several others formed the
American-Okinawan Karate Association (AOKA). Mitchum was
the first AOKA president and Steve Armstrong and Ralph
Bove were association officers. Harold Long was later
appointed as the U.S. representative of the AOKA and A.J.
Advincula was the vice-president of the association in 1963.
Throughout the 1960s, Master Shimabuku continued to
teach Isshinryu to the Marines on Okinawa. Many of his
American students returned to the United States and opened
dojos of their own. In 1964, Master Shimabuku made his first
trip to the United States, staying for 3 months in Pittsburgh
with Jim Morabeto. He traveled to the United States again in
1966, spending time with Steve Armstrong in Tacoma,
Washington; Harold Long in Knoxville, Tennessee; and Don
Nagle in Jersey City, New Jersey. At this time, all three were
promoted to 8th Dan by Master Shimabuku. Harold Mitchum
was promoted to 8th Dan while still training on Okinawa.
Steve Armstrong also filmed Master Shimabuku performing
all 14 Isshinryu kata. Because Master Shimabuku did not
enjoy traveling, he sent his son-in-law, Angi Uezu, as his
personal representative in 1967. Uezu spent a year teaching
at dojos in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. In
1969, Toby Cooling traveled to Okinawa to train with
Master Shimabuku. Prior to returning to the United States,
he was promoted to 6th Dan, becoming the last red and
white belt promoted by Master Shimabuku. In 1971, Cooling
formed the Order of Isshinryu (OI), which has been regarded
as having hard-core training protocols and producing a
number of excellent black belts, including Aston Hugh and
Maria Menendez.
During August 1974, Master Kichiro Shimabuku, Tatsuo's
eldest son, formed the Isshinryu World Karate Association
(IWKA) with his father's blessing. He sent out a letter to all
Isshinryu practitioners that all ranks awarded prior to
August 31, 1974 would be considered valid, but all ranks
awarded thereafter must be in the IWKA in order to be
recognized. Many Isshinryu karate-ka continued to support
Master Shimabuku and the IWKA. Beginning in 1973, both
Tatsuo and Kichiro Shimabuku signed the AOKA and later the
IWKA membership and promotion certificates, signifying
Tatsuo Shimabuku's approval of the new association. During
December 1974, Harold Long traveled to Okinawa to seek
Master Shimabuku's permission to create a new Isshinryu
association in the United States. Long and a number of other
high-ranking American Isshinryu black belts then formed the
International Isshinryu Karate Association (IIKA).
On May 30, 1975, Master Tatsuo Shimabuku passed away at
his home in Agena, Okinawa, after suffering a stroke. His
eldest son, Kichiro Shimabuku, inherited the reigns of
Isshinryu Karate, the rank of 10th Dan, and title of Soke.
After Master Shimabuku's death, Isshinryu splintered with a
number of associations and independent dojos. Steve
Armstrong continued the operation of the
American-Okinawan Karate Association (AOKA), along with
Lou Lizotte and Willie Adams. In March 1977, Harold
Mitchum, Ed Johnson, A.J. Advincula, and Milledge Murphey
formed the United Isshinryu Karate Association (UIKA), and
Don Nagle formed the United Isshinryu Karate Federation
(UIKF). In 1980, Harold Long created the Isshinryu Hall of
Fame, with Master Tatsuo Shimabuku as the first inductee and
Harold Long as the first American inductee in 1981. Other
notable inductees in the Hall of Fame include Steve
Armstrong, Don Nagle, Harold Mitchum, Joel Buchholtz,
Toby Cooling, Joel Chandler, and Ed McGrath. In 1989, Angi
Uezu left the IWKA and formed the Okinawa Isshinryu Karate
and Kobudo Association (OIKKA). He soon became one of the
chief proponents of Isshinryu Karate on Okinawa.
During a National UIKA Seminar in Atlanta, Georgia in August
1990, Milledge Murphey and his black belts became
dissatisfied with the association's perceived shift towards
commercialism and modifications to the traditional Isshinryu
system. They decided to formalize their group, the Isshinryu
Brotherhood (IB), on October 27, 1990. The IB is the largest
yudanshakai in the Isshinryu World Karate Association (IWKA)
and has as its goal the preservation and promulgation of
totally traditional Isshinryu in a totally non-profit,
non-commercial atmosphere. Joel Chandler and his black
belts were also dismayed with the UIKA and left the
association to form the Tatsuo-Kan Society (TKS) during
1991. Currently (1997), the IB has 52 black belt members
and 225 kyu grades, and the TKS has over 1000 members. The
UIKA is still active, with Harold Mitchum continuing to serve
as its director.
During 1994, Toby Cooling and J.C. Burris, promoted to 9th
Dan by Harold Long and Don Nagle, formed the United
Isshinryu Council (UIC), providing an umbrella organization
for Isshinryu Karate in the United States. The UIC is comprised
of the International Isshinryu Karate Association (IIKA), the
United Isshinryu Karate Federation (UIKF), the Order of
Isshinryu (OI), and the Tatsuo-Kan Society (TKS). The UIC
sponsors the annual Isshinryu Hall of Fame Tournament and
Banquet in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. To date, the UIC has made
great strides in uniting Isshinryu Karate in the United States.
On August 18, 1996, the Isshinryu Brotherhood hosted the
1996 Isshinryu World Karate Championships at the
University of Florida in Gainesville. Master Shimabuku was
flown in to conduct a clinic. International Isshinryu
Headquarters is currently (1997) located in Gushikawa City,
Okinawa, and is directed by O'Sensei Kichiro Shimabuku (10th
Dan).
David Evseeff
Tatsuo Shimabuku was born on September 19, 1908, in Chun
Village, Okinawa. At the age of 8, he began training with his
uncle in Shuri-Te. He began his Karate training because his
older brother would frequently torment and bully him.
After a few short months in Karate, his brother no longer
posed a problem for the young Shimabuku. He later studied
Shorin-Ryu under Chotoku Kyan, Goju-Ryu with Chojun
Miyagi, and Shorei-Ryu under Choki Motobu. Later in his life,
he studied Okinawan Kobudo with the famous master Shinken
Taira, from whom he learned the techniques of the bo and sai.
Master Shimabuku was an 8th Dan (red and white belt) in
Shorin-Ryu and also developed considerable skill in Goju-Ryu
and Shorei-Ryu. From Kyan, Shimabuku learned Seisan,
Naihanchi, Wansu, Chinto, Kusanku, and Tokumine No Kun (Bo
#1) kata. From Miyagi, he learned Seiuchin and Sanchin, and
from Motobu, he learned his version of Naihanchi kata, as
well as fighting techniques and how to properly train with
the makiwara. From Shinken Taira, Shimabuku learned the
following weapons kata: Chatanyara No Sai, Urashi Bo (Bo
#2), Shishi No Kun (Bo #3), Mi Yoshi Bo, Tsu Yoi Bo, Hamahiga
No Tuifa (tonfa), Takusan No Ki (nunchaku), Kiken No Ki
(nunchaku), and a kama kata. Shimabuku later incorporated
two additional kata into his repertoire: Sunsu and Kusanku
Sai. Sunsu Kata was a combination of the other seven
Isshinryu empty-hand kata as well as many of Master
Shimabuku's favorite fighting techniques.
During World War II, Master Shimabuku taught Karate to the
Japanese Imperial Marines. His small business was destroyed
during the war and afterwards, he worked for one of his
students transporting bricks to the construction site of
the new Kadena Airbase. At this time, he also began to teach
an eclectic style of Karate called Chan Mighwa-Te (Small
Eyed Kyan's Karate), which was a combination of Shorin-Ryu
and Goju-Ryu, named in homage of Master Shimabuku's most
pervasive Karate influence, Chotoku Kyan, who died in 1945
as a result of starvation from the war. Master Shimabuku
began experimenting with a number of new, innovative
techniques, most notably the vertical punch and block
which he later added to his new system of Karate. He still
taught the traditional twist punch and block in Chan
Mighwa-Te.
On January 15, 1956, he officially announced the formation
of a new style of Karate, Isshinryu, meaning "One-Heart
Method." He chose this name because, according to
Shimabuku, "all things begin with One." Beginning in 1955,
Shimabuku began to instruct a number of U.S. Marines in his
front yard in Kyan Village. In February 1956, Don Nagle
became the first American of note to train with Master
Shimabuku at his original dojo. In 1957, Harold Long also
began training with Master Shimabuku in Kyan Village. In
1958, the dojo was moved to Agena in order to be closer to
the military bases and Master Shimabuku secured a contract
with the U.S. Special Services to teach Karate to the U.S.
Marines for $250 each month. In March 1958, Harold
Mitchum began training at the Agena Dojo and he soon became
Master Shimabuku's #1 American student. Other Americans of
note who trained with Master Shimabuku while serving with
the Marine Corps in the early 1960s include Arsenio J.
Advincula, Don Bohan, Ed Johnson, Steve Armstrong, John
Bartusevics, Ralph Bove, Tom Lewis, and Sherman Harrill.
In 1961, Master Shimabuku, Harold Mitchum, Steve
Armstrong, and several others formed the
American-Okinawan Karate Association (AOKA). Mitchum was
the first AOKA president and Steve Armstrong and Ralph
Bove were association officers. Harold Long was later
appointed as the U.S. representative of the AOKA and A.J.
Advincula was the vice-president of the association in 1963.
Throughout the 1960s, Master Shimabuku continued to
teach Isshinryu to the Marines on Okinawa. Many of his
American students returned to the United States and opened
dojos of their own. In 1964, Master Shimabuku made his first
trip to the United States, staying for 3 months in Pittsburgh
with Jim Morabeto. He traveled to the United States again in
1966, spending time with Steve Armstrong in Tacoma,
Washington; Harold Long in Knoxville, Tennessee; and Don
Nagle in Jersey City, New Jersey. At this time, all three were
promoted to 8th Dan by Master Shimabuku. Harold Mitchum
was promoted to 8th Dan while still training on Okinawa.
Steve Armstrong also filmed Master Shimabuku performing
all 14 Isshinryu kata. Because Master Shimabuku did not
enjoy traveling, he sent his son-in-law, Angi Uezu, as his
personal representative in 1967. Uezu spent a year teaching
at dojos in New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. In
1969, Toby Cooling traveled to Okinawa to train with
Master Shimabuku. Prior to returning to the United States,
he was promoted to 6th Dan, becoming the last red and
white belt promoted by Master Shimabuku. In 1971, Cooling
formed the Order of Isshinryu (OI), which has been regarded
as having hard-core training protocols and producing a
number of excellent black belts, including Aston Hugh and
Maria Menendez.
During August 1974, Master Kichiro Shimabuku, Tatsuo's
eldest son, formed the Isshinryu World Karate Association
(IWKA) with his father's blessing. He sent out a letter to all
Isshinryu practitioners that all ranks awarded prior to
August 31, 1974 would be considered valid, but all ranks
awarded thereafter must be in the IWKA in order to be
recognized. Many Isshinryu karate-ka continued to support
Master Shimabuku and the IWKA. Beginning in 1973, both
Tatsuo and Kichiro Shimabuku signed the AOKA and later the
IWKA membership and promotion certificates, signifying
Tatsuo Shimabuku's approval of the new association. During
December 1974, Harold Long traveled to Okinawa to seek
Master Shimabuku's permission to create a new Isshinryu
association in the United States. Long and a number of other
high-ranking American Isshinryu black belts then formed the
International Isshinryu Karate Association (IIKA).
On May 30, 1975, Master Tatsuo Shimabuku passed away at
his home in Agena, Okinawa, after suffering a stroke. His
eldest son, Kichiro Shimabuku, inherited the reigns of
Isshinryu Karate, the rank of 10th Dan, and title of Soke.
After Master Shimabuku's death, Isshinryu splintered with a
number of associations and independent dojos. Steve
Armstrong continued the operation of the
American-Okinawan Karate Association (AOKA), along with
Lou Lizotte and Willie Adams. In March 1977, Harold
Mitchum, Ed Johnson, A.J. Advincula, and Milledge Murphey
formed the United Isshinryu Karate Association (UIKA), and
Don Nagle formed the United Isshinryu Karate Federation
(UIKF). In 1980, Harold Long created the Isshinryu Hall of
Fame, with Master Tatsuo Shimabuku as the first inductee and
Harold Long as the first American inductee in 1981. Other
notable inductees in the Hall of Fame include Steve
Armstrong, Don Nagle, Harold Mitchum, Joel Buchholtz,
Toby Cooling, Joel Chandler, and Ed McGrath. In 1989, Angi
Uezu left the IWKA and formed the Okinawa Isshinryu Karate
and Kobudo Association (OIKKA). He soon became one of the
chief proponents of Isshinryu Karate on Okinawa.
During a National UIKA Seminar in Atlanta, Georgia in August
1990, Milledge Murphey and his black belts became
dissatisfied with the association's perceived shift towards
commercialism and modifications to the traditional Isshinryu
system. They decided to formalize their group, the Isshinryu
Brotherhood (IB), on October 27, 1990. The IB is the largest
yudanshakai in the Isshinryu World Karate Association (IWKA)
and has as its goal the preservation and promulgation of
totally traditional Isshinryu in a totally non-profit,
non-commercial atmosphere. Joel Chandler and his black
belts were also dismayed with the UIKA and left the
association to form the Tatsuo-Kan Society (TKS) during
1991. Currently (1997), the IB has 52 black belt members
and 225 kyu grades, and the TKS has over 1000 members. The
UIKA is still active, with Harold Mitchum continuing to serve
as its director.
During 1994, Toby Cooling and J.C. Burris, promoted to 9th
Dan by Harold Long and Don Nagle, formed the United
Isshinryu Council (UIC), providing an umbrella organization
for Isshinryu Karate in the United States. The UIC is comprised
of the International Isshinryu Karate Association (IIKA), the
United Isshinryu Karate Federation (UIKF), the Order of
Isshinryu (OI), and the Tatsuo-Kan Society (TKS). The UIC
sponsors the annual Isshinryu Hall of Fame Tournament and
Banquet in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. To date, the UIC has made
great strides in uniting Isshinryu Karate in the United States.
On August 18, 1996, the Isshinryu Brotherhood hosted the
1996 Isshinryu World Karate Championships at the
University of Florida in Gainesville. Master Shimabuku was
flown in to conduct a clinic. International Isshinryu
Headquarters is currently (1997) located in Gushikawa City,
Okinawa, and is directed by O'Sensei Kichiro Shimabuku (10th
Dan).
David Evseeff
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