About Isshinryu Karate

             An eclectic form of Okinawan Karate  combining elements of Shorinryu and Goju-Ryu; founded by Master Tatsuo Shimabuku on January 16, 1954.  Specifically, Isshinryu Karate emphasizes:

             1. Elimination of fancy techniques. 

             2. Low line kicks. 

             3. Short, natural stances without wasted motion and major body shifting (said to be                  more suited to the American  physique).

             4. Even application of hand and foot techniques, about 50% of each in Katas.  

             5. Close-range techniques, useful for street fighting. 

             6. Snap punches and snap kicks where the limbs are extended 90% and immediately              retracted (preventing excessive strain on hinge joints). 

             7. Both hard and soft blocking. 

             8. Blocks with the muscular portion of the forearm rather then the bone.

             9. Fist formed with the thumb on top of the clenched fist rather then wrapped over the first two fingers (which helps prevent the fist from buckling at the wrist on impact)

             10. The vertical punch, which increases speed and focus.

             11. Multiple purpose technique, allowing a block to become a blow and vice-versa.

 

             The translation of the word “Isshinryu” is “one hearted way”, “Is” meaning “one”, “shin” meaning “heart”, and “ryu” meaning “way”.  Master Shimabuku told his students that he was naming his new system of Karate “Isshin-Ryu” because all things begin with one.  All things begin with the heart, mind or spirit creating wholeheartedness, and the most important thing is to train wholeheartedly.  The purpose of Isshinryu training is to make a person into a well-coordinated unit, with the mind and the body becoming one.  The oneness of mind and body is another way of saying Isshinryu, “the one heart way”.