Link your Isshinryu to Okinawa with the IOTKA Sensei Jeff PerkinsUSA Mid West Director

ISSHIN-RYU OKINAWA TRADITIONAL KARATE-DO ASSOCIATION

OKINAWA CITY, OKINAWA

Master Tsuyoshi Uechi, President

It is my goal to have Isshin-Ryu recognized by the Okinawan Prefecture Karate Rengokai (association) as being a traditional Ryu (style) and the IOTKA recognized as the official Kaiha (association).  At present, there are three recognized styles, Shorin-Ryu, Goju Ryu and Uechi-Ryu.

The Okinawan Prefecture Karate Rengokai is the governing body of traditional Okinawa Karate and Kobudo.  The various masters of Okinawan Karate govern this association and once Isshin-Ryu is recognized, the IOTKA will be elible to receive support from the Okinawan government.

To be recognized by the Okinawan Prefecture Karate Rengokai as being a traditional karate system or style, certain criteria must be met.  The system must have existed at least 50 years.  In addition, it must have maintained it’s original forms as taught by the founder of the style, with no variations.

According to the Okinawan Prefecture Karate Rengokai, Master Shimabuku’s Isshin-Ryu is documented as being in existence for 54 years.  We have now met most of the requirements and have submitted Master Tsuyoshi Uechi’s name to the Okinawan Prefecture Karate Rengokai  to be recognized and designated as the current headmaster of Isshin-Ryu.

The last requirement identified by the Okinawan Prefecture Karate Rengokai  is that the Isshin-Ryu bow (salutation) at the beginning and end of the kata, conforms to the Okinawan traditional manner that Master Tatsuo Shimabuku originally taught.  I have already begun this on Okinawa, but I need all Isshin-Ryu practitioners in the IOTKA to comply as well.  This is the only criteria yet to be met.

In the future, I will attempt to visit more dojo to insure that everyone is in compliance with our standards and to keep the organization strong.  It is a great honor to be recognized by the Okinawan Prefecture Karate Rengokai.  Please support this effort to have Master Shimabuku’s Isshin-Ryu recognized as a traditional Okinawa Ryu as well as the IOTKA being recognized as the official Kaiha.

Tsuyoshi Uechi

President, IOTKA