Isshin-Ryu is a style of Okinawan karate founded by Tatsuo Shimabuku and named by him on 15 January 1956. Isshin-Ryū karate is largely a synthesis of Shorin-ryū karate, Gojū-ryū karate, and kobudō. The name means, literally, “one heart method”. As of 1989 there are 336 branches of Isshin-ryū throughout the world, most of which... more »
Chatan Yara is taught as the second Sai kata in the Isshin Ryu system, coming from Tatsuo Shimabuku’s Kobudo instruction with Shinken Taira. The form focuses on the development of the “sequential summation of movement”, which is the scientific term for full-body whipping motion. This is exemplified by the emphasis on whipping strikes, which... more »
Chinto is the fifth Kata taught at Isshin Ryu Karate. As with most of the kata in Isshin Ryu, Chinto comes from the teaching of Chotoku Kyan. The kata differs from others in that its embusen is a line placed on a 45 degree angle. The footwork is indicative of a slipping, deflecting, and... more »
Hama Higa No Tuifa is the Tonfa Kata of the Isshin Ryu curriculum. This form is from Shimabuku’s studies with Shinken Taira. It is the only Tonfa kata in the Isshinryu system. Shimabuku always referred to the weapon as tuifa. The kata bears many similarities to the Uechi Ryū empty-hand form Seisan, and actually... more »
Kusanku is the sixth Kata taught at Isshin Ryu Karate. Of the eight weaponless kata in Isshin-Ryu, five come from the teaching of Chotoku Kyan. Kusanku is one of these. Kusanku is often referred to as a “night-fighting” kata, or a form which teaches fighting at night. Modern research does not support this theory.... more »
Kusanku Sai is the first Sai kata taught at Isshin Ryu Karate system. This form is a product of Shimabuku’s own research into the art of kobudō, the coverall for Okinawa’s weapons studies. The kata was built as an introduction to Sai practice, with the weapon movements replacing the empty-hand applications. The form is taught one... more »
Naihanchi is the third empty-hand kata taught in Isshin Ryu Karate. This form comes to Isshin Ryu from studies with both Chotoku Kyan and Motobu Choki (a cousin of Kyan). It is also considered one of the staples of Ryukyu Ti, and is prevalent in most forms of Karate. The Isshin Ryu version is... more »
Sanchin is the eight and last empty-hand Kata in Isshin Ryu Karate. Coming from Chojun Miyagi, Sanchin has its origins in the Gojū-ryū Ryu system. Along with Seiunchin, this is one of two Gojū-ryū katas in Isshin-ryū. Previous to the instruction of Miyagi, the kata was practiced with open hands, turns, and natural breathing... more »
Seisan Kata is a kata (form) of Isshin Ryu Karate. Tatsuo Shimabuku learned Seisan from his primary instructor, Chotoku Kyan. Previous to Kyan’s instruction, the Seisan form was a staple of local traditions. This kata is sometimes the first introduced to students after the First and Second Charts of basics have been learned. This... more »
This kata was brought into Isshin ryu from Shimabuku’s studies with the Gojū-ryū Ryu founder, Chojun Miyagi. It is theorized by researchers that this kata is an original composed by Miyagi, based on his experiences in Fuzhou, China. The kata focuses on the stance “shiko-dachi”, a low horse stance. The kata is broken into... more »
Sunsu is the seventh hand kata in Isshin Ryu Karate. This kata was designed by the founder of Isshin-Ryu, Tatsuo Shimabuku. It incorporates several movements from other kata in the Isshin-Ryu syllabus, as well as from kata from other instructors, in addition to techniques and concepts Shimabuku favored. It was used as a dojo... more »
Upper body basics of the Isshin Ryu Karate, a style of Okinawan karate founded by Tatsuo Shimabuku and named by him on 15 January 1956. Isshin-Ryū karate is largely a synthesis of Shorin-ryū karate, Gojū-ryū karate, and kobudō. The name means, literally, “one heart method”. As of 1989 there are 336 branches of Isshin-ryū throughout... more »
Upper body basics of the Isshin Ryu Karate, a style of Okinawan karate founded by Tatsuo Shimabuku and named by him on 15 January 1956. Isshin-Ryū karate is largely a synthesis of Shorin-ryū karate, Gojū-ryū karate, and kobudō. The name means, literally, “one heart method”. As of 1989 there are 336 branches of Isshin-ryū throughout... more »
Wansū (also known as Wanshu) is the fourth empty-hand kata taught in Isshin Ryu. Popular history has the kata coming from a Chinese political visitor who, during his duties, taught his fighting method in the open. Isshin Ryu’s version of this form is unique for its inclusion of two side kicks – techniques seen... more »
Shinshinkan karate is a Shorin-ryu karate Traditional Martial Arts Style. The video shows some effective Jujutsu techniques for street fighting and self... more »
Shishi No Kun is the third Bo Kata of Isshin ryu, a Karate style that embeds Kobudo in its curriculum. Tatsuo Shimabuku learned this form from Shinken Taira who learned it from Jinsei Kamiya. The kata itself uses the bo in a horizontal manner, different from other cudgel... more »
Shimabuku Tatsuo (1906–1975) was born September 19, 1906 in Chan (Jp. Kyan) village, Okinawa. Shimabuku began training under Shinko Ganeku, his maternal uncle. Ganeku later sent Shimabuku to study karate from Chotoku Kyan. He was around age 23 or 24 at the time (c. 1932). Chotoku Kyan would be his most influential instructor (and... more »