A brief history of Isshinryu Karate
Isshinryu was officially founded on January 15th 1956.
Founder Tatsuo Shimabuku
Tatsuo Shimabuku the founder of Isshinryu Karate was born on September 19, 1908, in Chun Village, Okinawa. He began the study of Shuri-Te Karate with his uncle at the age of 8 years old. As he grew older, he studied Shorin-Ryu under Chotoku Kyan, Goju-Ryu with Chojun Miyagi, and Shorei-Ryu under Choki Motobu. He studied Okinawa Kobudo Weapons, Under Shinken Taira, from whom he learned the techniques of the Bo and sai.
Master Shimabuku was an 8th Dan (red and white belt) in Shorin-Ryu and also developed considerable skill in Goju-Ryu and Shorei-Ryu. In his life long study of these different styles. Master Shimabuku saw that each different style had its strength’s. His dream was to combine the strength’s of each style into one new style of karate. It was because of this that Isshinryu was born! It is generally considered that the roots of Isshinryu are Shorin-Ryu and Gojo-Ryu. The hand kata’s Seisan, Nahanchi, Wansu, Chinto and Kusanku are from the Shorin-Ryu system. The Kata’s Seiuchin and Sanchin are descended from Gojo-Ryu. Sunsu is Tatsuo’s kata.
By 1955 Master Shimabuku had began to teach karate to US Military stationed on Okinawa. Isshinryu was officially founded on January 15th 1956. The most notable difference in the new style. Was the fist and returning punch, which has become the trademark of Isshinryu. The thumb was located on top of the fist instead of the side. The fist did not turn as in many styles and the arm when extended, was always withdrawn to a guard position.
Master Tatsuo was under considerable pressure from his peers in the Okinawa karate world. To turn the fist and leave the arm extended. It is said that for a few years he compromised slightly by only turning the hand ¼ turn. Eventually only the vertical fist was taught. Tatsuo’s logic behind this was simple. If you rotate the fist and leave your arm extended. You create a target for your opponent. You have placed your own arm in a prefect position, for your opponent to seize and apply an arm lock and break. You would never leave your arm extended in actual combat. So why would you spend your life practicing kata this way.
In 1961 The American-Okinawan Karate Association (AOKA) was formed. Throughout the 1960s, Master Shimabuku continued to teach Isshinryu to the Marines on Okinawa. Many of his American students returned to the United States and opened dojos of their own.
Master Tatsuo Shimabuku passed away on May 30, 1975, at his home in Agena, Okinawa.
Present Master Kichiro Shimabuku
After Tatsuo’s death! Master Tatsuo’s oldest son Master Kichiro inherited the reigns of Isshinryu Karate, The rank of 10th Dan, and title of Soke. Kichiro had formed the IWKA Isshinryu World Karate Association. In August the previous year. Since the late 1970’s Master Kichiro has came to the USA every 2 years for the IWKA World tournament and continues to head the IWKA.
The Karate linage of our school Indianapolis Isshinryu Bushido
Clarence Ewing
Sensei Clarence Ewing 7th degree black belt had studied under Tatsuo Shimabuku. While in the US Military. In the 1960’s and 1970’s he was teaching karate in Indianapolis. Master Ewing is credited with bring Isshinryu Karate to Indianapolis and many fine Karate Ka developed under his instruction.
John Lennox
1962 John Lennox, Began his study of Isshinryu under Clarence Ewing. Sensei Lennox was already a dedicated martial artist. A black belt in Judo! He had been a past president of the Indianapolis Judo Association and had also studied Akido and Jujitsu. By the late 1960’s John Lennox had began teaching Isshinryu at the Mudokwan School in Indianapolis. The Mudokwan is primarily a Judo School and is at this time the oldest operating martial arts school in Indiana. They no longer teach Isshinryu.
By 1981 Sensei Lennox had established a friendship with Kichiro Shimabuku. Most trips that Master Kichiro made to the USA Included a visit to the Mudokwan to see Mr. John as he called Mr. Lennox. Over the years Sensei Lennox and Master Kichiro became very close friends. This was a wonderful opportunity giving many of us the chance to workout with Master Kichiro in Sensei Lennox’s back yard and spend time with each of the kata’s. Sensei Lennox also visited Okinawa to study with Master Kichiro.
Isshinryu Bushido was formed by students of, Master Lennox at the time of his retirement from active teaching. The Isshinryu Bushido Club’s goals are to continue Master Lennox’s teaching’s.
