Isshin-Ryu Karate-Dohttp://www.isshinryukarate.comshapeimage_1_link_0
 
Isshin-Ryu (一心流 Isshin-ryū?) is a style of Okinawan karate founded by Tatsuo Shimabuku (島袋 龍夫)　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". Kata The system is summed up in its kata, or formal practice methods, and the specific techniques used to punch (vertical fist) and kick (snapping kicks). In many of the various forms of the system, sixteen kata (eight empty-hand, three bo, two sai a bo-bo kumite kata, a bo-sai kumite kata and one tuifa kata) are agreed upon as composing Isshin-ryu. These Kata include original developments of the Master, and inherited kata from the parent styles. Empty-Hand Kata Seisan Tatsuo Shimabuku learned Seisan from his primary instructor, Chotoku Kyan.[3] 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 is in contrast to other Shorin systems where this kata is learned after other fundamental kata. The Gojū-ryū curriculum includes a related version of Seisan, but Isshin-ryū Seisan was learned from Kyan, not Miyagi. Seiunchin This kata was brought into Isshinryu 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.[4] The kata focuses on the stance "shiko-dachi", (sometimes referred to as "seiunchin-dachi") a low horse stance at which the knees are bent at obtuse angles and the feet are angled away from the direction the body is facing at forty-five degree angles. The kata is broken into segments, each utilizing a specific breathing and muscle-tensing method. The kata has no obvious kicks, but one section contains hints of a rising knee strike. This kata is often studied for its grappling bunkai. Naihanchi Naihanchi 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 influenced heavily by the kumite of Motobu, with the exception of the turned-in toes (Motobu preferred the horse-riding stance with the toes in a neutral position). Naihanche kata is the first of the "go-kyu" (blue belt) kata, and together with Wansu form the requirements for the first of the teaching ranks "yon-kyu" (green belt.) The kata is also noted for its use of the "Nami Gaeshi", the returning wave kick. The kick has many different potentials for application, including the sweeping or redirecting of a low kick, a kick or knee to the inside of an opponent's thigh, knee, tibia and ankle. It also has the movement training potential for the basics of the sequential summation of movement. Some interpret the move as a low "yoko-gari" (side kick) from naihanche-dachi to the opponents farthest ankle, inside-calf, or knee, and returning the kick to the body around the opponent's nearest leg across one's body to the hip and back down to naihanche-stance. A popular interpretation of the kata concerns its position; the entire sequence of moves in the kata is to be executed as if one is standing up against a wall and one's opponents are to his left and right. It is because of this that the kata is usually taught with the back straight and the heels and back placed firmly either on a straight edge such as a board or a wall, or on top of a long piece of tape. The main stance of naihanchi is a slight variant from the Isshin Ryu stance "kiba-dachi," in which both feet are shoulder width apart facing forward. "Naihanche-dachi," as it's called, takes kiba-dachi and turns the balls of the feet (area of foot just behind the toes) and turns them forty-five degrees inward and accentuates the coninuous bend at the knees Insshin Ryu karateka are taught from initiation. Wansū Also coming from Kyan, Wanshū (also known as Wansu) has several iterations on the island of Ryukyu. 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 in the system previously only in the Chart Two exercises. Current research hints at this change being made by Shimabuku Tatsuo himself.[5] For technical content, the form tends to focus on the slipping and in-close evasion and redirection of attack. It also contains a unique movement often described as a fireman's carry throw, or dump. Because of this, many schools nickname this kata "the dumping form". Also, Wansu is one of two kata in Isshin Ryu which use the "zenkutsu dachi", a long, angled seisan-type stance. Chinto As with most of the kata in Isshin Ryu, Chinto comes from the teaching of Kyan.[6] 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 a whipping, relaxed body motion. Some karate instructors consider the previously learned forms of the system, Naihanchi and Wansu, to be preparatory and basic training forms, culminating in the kata Chinto. Kusanku 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.[7] In reality, the kata is set up in such a manner as to allow continual study of application potential from basic standing grappling and close striking in the beginning, to more aggressive and proactive techniques near the end. Kusanku is the second of two kata which contain the zenkutsu-dachi in Isshin-Ryu. Sunsu This kata was designed by the founder of Isshin-Ryu, Shimabuku Tatsuo. 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 kata and as a personal project of the founder, prior to the founding of Isshin Ryu in 1956. The Dai Nippon Butoku Kai has recognized Sunsu as a kata of Okinawa. This represents an acceptance of Isshin-Ryu as a modern Ryukyu martial art. Sanchin Coming from Miyagi Chojun, 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 methods. With the founding of Gojū-ryū, this form was practiced with closed fists (a more traditional method on Okinawa), no turns, and a controlled, almost hard inhalation and exhalation. Touted primarily for its physical training aspects, Sanchin also contains many applicable martial techniques. Shimabuku also thought very highly of the form, saying once, "Sanchin is for health. Without health, how can one have karate?" Bō Kata Tokumine no Kun This bō form comes to the Isshin Ryu system from Shimabuku's time with Chōtoku Kyan.[9] Kyan is to have learned the form either from Tokumine himself, or from Tokumine's landlord after the aforementioned had passed on. Shimabuku Tatsuo also commented that this was his favorite kata. Urashi no Kun The form Urashi no Kun was taught to Shimabuku by his kobudō instructor, Shinken Taira.[ Taira is the founder of the Ryūkyū Kobudō Hozon Shinkokai,[11] whose goal is the preservation of Okinawa's weapons forms. Shishi no Kun 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 traditions. Sai Kata Kusanku Sai 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 of two ways: with or without kicks. Chatan Yara no Sai Chatan Yara is taught as the second Sai kata in the Isshin Ryu system, coming from Shimabuku's 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 make up a vast majority of the offensive movements in the form. Kyan no Sai This form comes either from Shimabuku's studies of Sai methodology with Kyan, his primary karate instructor, or was possibly a form taught in its entirety. Shimabuku was teaching this kata in 1951 but by 1958 he had dropped it in favor of Kusanku no Sai. Tuifa Kata Hama Higa no Tuifa This form is from Shimabuku's studies with Shinken Taira. It is the only Tuifa kata in the Isshinryu system. Shimabuku always referred to the weapon as tuifa. Other Curriculum Upper Body Basics Developed by Tatsuo Shimabuku and one of his Okinawan students Kaneshi Eiko, the first chart (though some first-generation students learned this chart after the lower-body chart) of basic techniques is unique to the Isshin Ryu system. Though the technical content and number of techniques varies by lineage, the first Chart One was simply a collection of 15 upper-body dominant techniques Shimabuku felt were necessary for proper development. Lower Body Basics Developed at the same time as the first chart, the second set of techniques are the basic kicking techniques of the Isshin Ryu system. As with the first chart, the number of techniques, as well as actual technical content, vary by lineage. The initial chart contained eight kicking techniques. Kotekitai Kotekitai is the Okinawan term for arm conditioning. Karada-kitai is the term for body conditioning with ashi-kitai for the feet, fukubu-kitai for the stomach, etc. It is not unique to Isshin Ryu, and is also used by similar styles such as Shohei-Ryu, another branch of Uechi-Ryu. Self-Defense Self-Defense is vitally important in Isshin-Ryu. Techniques are taught against all manner of attack, including but not limited to: punches, grabs, holds, groundfighting, mutiple opponents, knife, gun, club, etc. Makiwara As with the Kotekitai, the makiwara is a rather universal tool in Okinawan martial arts. It is made from an immovable punching post constructed of wood or some firm material, wrapped in straw or other soft padding. The Makiwara is used primarily in the development of the striking surfaces utilized in karate. Unlike a hanging bag, timing, cadence, and footwork are rarely utilized with this implement, instead using it almost solely as a resistance training aide. Striking of the makiwara tends to develop the muscles around the joints, strengthening them for the sometimes awkward or unorthodox strikes found in the various types of Ryukyu martial arts. The most common strikes used are straight punches using various hand formations and single, two, and three finger strikes. Kumite Kumite is the practice of free-sparring, that is, sparring in a non-set pattern. Isshin-Ryu has several types of kumite including: Ippon, Nidan, Sandan and Jiyu Kumite History Shimabuku Tatsuo (島袋龍夫?) (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 after whom he initially named his style Chan migwa Te, with Migwa being a reference to Chotoku Kyan's nickname stemming from his wearing of glasses and his small eyes). He also studied karate with Chojun Miyagi in Naha for a couple of years beginning in 1936 and from Choki Motobu around 1938 (also in Naha). By 1940, he became the first karateka to ever master both Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu. Shimabuku opened his first dojo in Konbu village and began teaching in 1946. On January 15, 1956, he held a meeting and announced that he was naming his new style of karate Isshin-ryu. Shimabuku's number one student, Eiko Kaneshi, was at the meeting and he asked Shimabuku, "Why such a funny name?" Tatsuo replied, "Because all things begin with one."[16] At the age of 50 (c. 1959) Shimabuku began studying kobudō, the art of old traditional Okinawan weapons. The kobudō weapons included were the sai, bo, and tonfa, under Shinken Taira. He incorporated the kobudō that he had learned from Kyan and Taira into the Isshin-ryu system. Megami ("the Goddess"), the symbol of Isshin-ryū. Isshinryu No Megami (一心流の女神?), or for short, Megami (女神?, goddess) is the symbol of Isshin-ryu.It is represented on the Isshin-ryu crest and is often displayed on the front wall of the dojo next to a picture of Tatsuo Shimabuku. As an emblem for Isshin-ryū Tatsuo Shimabuku chose a half-sea-snake half-woman deity whom he had seen in a vision. She represents the strength of the snake and the quiet character of a woman, thus expressing the essence of the style. Originally the Isshin-ryu emblem was called Isshin-ryu No Megami, which means 'Goddess of Isshinryu.' 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