The term "Karate" is indigenous to the Island of Okinawa, often
called the "Island of Karate". As with most cultures, a homegrown
fighting art evolved called "Ti" in the Okinawa dialect. "Ti"
translates in English to hand. Later, with Okinawa's close ties to
China, the self protection art of "Ti" combined with the Southern
Chinese combat arts and formed "Todi" or China hand. The term
was later changed to "Karate" when Okinawa became a province
of Japan. "Karate" which is often translated as "empty hand" can
also be translated as "vastness of hand". "Vastness of hand" is
probably a more appropriate term since the hands in the fighting
arts are not actually "empty" but full of fighting technique.
Isshinryu Karate was formed in the 1950's by it's founder Tatsuo
Shimabuku. Master Shimabuku, a native Okinawan, studied other
forms of Okinawa Karate such as Shorinryu and Gojuryu which he
used to form his Isshinryu. The term "Gokui" is translated as
"secret principles". Many instructors on Okinawa, after many
years of study, often combine their favorite techniques and kata to
form new systems. Isshinryu could be said to be Master
Shimabuku's "Gokui". Shimabuku Sensei also studied Okinawa
Kobudo (weapons) which he later added to the system.
Isshinryu is a very natural form of Karate. With it's high posture
stances, vertical non-rotating punches, muscle blocks and
snapping kicks, it is an ideal form of close quarters self defense.
Because of Isshinryu's natural body movements, it is excellent for
health and can be practiced well into our senior years!
Reasons for Karate Training
(in order of importance according to Shimabuku Tatsuo)
#1 - For Health(physical & mental)
#2 - For Self Defense(for ourselves & others)
#3 - As a Way of Life(a healthy Way of Life)
#4 - For Demonstration(to show what training can do)
#5 - As a Sport(for fun)
called the "Island of Karate". As with most cultures, a homegrown
fighting art evolved called "Ti" in the Okinawa dialect. "Ti"
translates in English to hand. Later, with Okinawa's close ties to
China, the self protection art of "Ti" combined with the Southern
Chinese combat arts and formed "Todi" or China hand. The term
was later changed to "Karate" when Okinawa became a province
of Japan. "Karate" which is often translated as "empty hand" can
also be translated as "vastness of hand". "Vastness of hand" is
probably a more appropriate term since the hands in the fighting
arts are not actually "empty" but full of fighting technique.
Isshinryu Karate was formed in the 1950's by it's founder Tatsuo
Shimabuku. Master Shimabuku, a native Okinawan, studied other
forms of Okinawa Karate such as Shorinryu and Gojuryu which he
used to form his Isshinryu. The term "Gokui" is translated as
"secret principles". Many instructors on Okinawa, after many
years of study, often combine their favorite techniques and kata to
form new systems. Isshinryu could be said to be Master
Shimabuku's "Gokui". Shimabuku Sensei also studied Okinawa
Kobudo (weapons) which he later added to the system.
Isshinryu is a very natural form of Karate. With it's high posture
stances, vertical non-rotating punches, muscle blocks and
snapping kicks, it is an ideal form of close quarters self defense.
Because of Isshinryu's natural body movements, it is excellent for
health and can be practiced well into our senior years!
Reasons for Karate Training
(in order of importance according to Shimabuku Tatsuo)
#1 - For Health(physical & mental)
#2 - For Self Defense(for ourselves & others)
#3 - As a Way of Life(a healthy Way of Life)
#4 - For Demonstration(to show what training can do)
#5 - As a Sport(for fun)
