Chief Instructor: Jonathan OShita, 3rd Dan
Member: United Southern Isshin Ryu

 

• Location/date of birth: Gadsden, Alabama on May 4, 1974.
• Date/Location/Instructor where Isshinryu training began: 1987 in Monroe, North Carolina with Sensei Tim Grismer and Master Kobylanski.
• Date received Sho-Dan in Isshinryu karate: June 22, 1996.
• Date received present rank: San Dan on October 26, 2002.
• Organizational support: Member of the AOKA since November 1987.

About Isshinryu
Master Shinkichi (Tatsuo) Shimabuku was born on September 19,1908, and began his study of karate (Shuri-te) as a boy with his uncle, Irshu Matsumora. Master Shimabuku would eventually train under three great Okinawan masters: Chotoku Kyan, Chojun Miyagi and Choki Motobu, ultimately becoming an acknowledged expert in both the Goju-Ryu and Shorin-Ryu systems. Over time, he refined techniques and concepts from both systems to form Isshin Ryu (One Heart Way) on January 15th, 1954.

Chotoku Kyan was a student of Master Yasutune Itosu, who taught Shuri-te, and of, Master Matsumora, who taught Tomari-te. These two styles were combined to form Shorin-Ryu. He was famous for his powerful kicks, and for his outstanding teaching ability. Kyan was a stern perfectionist, and young Tatsuo Shimabuku achieved the honor of being his best student.

Chojun Miyagi was the number one student of the Naha-te grandmaster, Kanryo Higashionna. Miyagi was known as an exacting sensei whose grueling workouts greatly strengthened the body and built up endurance. Miyagi placed great emphasis on breathing and tension, low kicks, and the development of mind, body and spirit.

Choki Motobu was a less formal instructor, but an accomplished master in Shorin-Ryu, and an indomitable fighter. Coming from an ancient line of Okinawan nobles, he had an eccentric personality and an enormous physique. He is remembered as a brawler as well as a master, teaching both street and classic techniques.

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TRAINING LOCATION
 
Directions To This Location

Carolina Isshinryu Academy
2815 S. College Road
Wilmington, NC 28412-6826

E-Mail:
 
Home Page: http://www.usik.org/Wilmington.html

United Southern Isshin Ryu
Organization Site: http://www.usik.org

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