Okinawan Isshinryu Karate

 

Soke Tatsuo Shimabuku
Founder of Okinawan Isshinryu Karate
September 9, 1908 - May 30, 1975

Okinawan Isshinryu Karate
Is a style of karate developed in Okinawa by Master Tatsuo Shimabuku. Shimabuku had studied Gojuryu Karate with its founder Chojun Miyagi as well as Shorinryu Karate with Chotoku Kyan and Choki Motobu (Known as the monkey because of his swiftness and excellent fighting ability). Taking what he believed to be the most important kata from these systems he developed Isshinryu which literally means "One Heart Way". The most notable aspect of the system is the vertical punch with the thumb on top designed to strengthen the wrist and deliver devastating blows. In 1954 Shimabuku awed the other masters with his performance of chinto kata and so Isshinryu received acceptance officially as its own style. There are 8 empty hand kata and 5 weapons officially in Isshinryu Karate:

 

Mizu Gami
Mizu Gami or Water Goddess is the symbol worn over the heart of each practitioner of Isshinryu Karate. When Soke Tatsuo Shimabuku was forming the style of Isshinryu Karate he thought about it constantly. One version of the story handed down about Mizu Gami is that one day he was sitting on a water barrel outside his home dozing off. He had a dream. In his dream a man approached - Shimabuku held his left hand (the heart side) open with the palm out indicating he did not want to fight at the same time he raised his right hand in a fist to symbolize his power. He did not want to fight, but if he had to he could. The man then surrounded Shimabuku with a ring of fire, but the water in the barrel protected him. The following day Shimabuku saw a painting of a 1/2 Woman 1/2 Sea Serpent. He noticed that her hands were in the same position as the posture he took in his vision. Her gentle nature was on the surface and her power hidden beneath the turbulent sea .. He brought the painting back to the Dojo (training area) and eventually it became the basis for his patch. The three stars were added to symbolize his three karate teachers, the dragon to symbolize his name Tatsuo which means Dragon man, the kanji says Isshinryu karate, the orange border is the ring of fire that surrounded him in his dream. Mizu Gami is worn over the heart to remind us of the brotherhood of all Isshinryu karate-Ka and that Isshinryu means "One Heart Way".

Photo of Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku and his Family
courtesy of Master Angi Uezu