Isshin-ryū (一心流), meaning “One Heart Style” or “One Mind School”, is a traditional Okinawan karate style that synthesises elements from several older martial arts. Its unique approach and distinct characteristics have left a significant mark on the martial arts world, particularly in its widespread adoption outside of Okinawa.
The style was founded by Tatsuo Shimabuku (島袋 龍夫), who was born on 19 September 1908 in Kyan village, near Shuri, Okinawa. Shimabuku’s early exposure to martial arts began with rudimentary knowledge from his uncle, Ganiku Shinko. It is also said that he learned the art of Shaolin-zi (少林寺) from his uncle while in Fukushu, China, before he took up karate. This indicates an early influence from Chinese kempō.
Shimabuku commenced his formal karate training around 1931, studying the Matsumura version of Shorin-ryū under Chōtoku Kyan. From Kyan, he learned several kata, including Seisan, Naihanchi, Wansu, Chinto, and Kusanku. He also gained proficiency in kobudō (weaponry), learning the bō kata called Tokumine no Kun and acquiring skills in the use of the sai. In addition to his Shorin-ryū training, Shimabuku enrolled at Chōjun Miyagi‘s dōjō in 1919 at the age of 13, where he studied Gōjū-ryū. He was also influenced by Motobu Chōki and learned kobudō from Taira Shinken. Shimabuku eventually became one of the top students of Shorin-ryū Karate and an accomplished master of classical weaponry and Gōjū-ryū Karate.
Founding of Isshin-ryū
Shimabuku opened his first dōjō in 1946 in the village of Konbu, near Tengan on Okinawa’s east coast. It was at this point that he began to form the idea of combining the best elements of Okinawan karate.
The style now known as Isshin-ryū formally came into existence on 15 January 1956. Before this date, Shimabuku had called his synthesis by other names, including Chanmigua te (チャンミーグヮー手) and Sunsu (スンスウ). The name “Isshin-ryū” translates to “One Heart School” or “One Mind School”. The emblem for Isshin-ryū, chosen by Tatsuo Shimabuku, is a half-sea-snake half-woman deity called Mizugami, which he reportedly saw in a vision. This emblem represents the strength of a snake and the quiet character of a woman, expressing the essence of the style.
Influences and Distinguishing Characteristics
Isshin-ryū is a fusion style, intentionally combining elements of Shorin-ryū and Gōjū-ryū. Shimabuku researched what he believed to be the strengths of karate and added his own innovations.
The style is known for several distinguishing features:
- Vertical Fist Punching: Isshin-ryū employs a vertical fist in its punching techniques, rather than the horizontal method commonly found in most other schools of karate. Shimabuku believed this to be a more natural and faster technique. While not entirely unique, it is quite possible he adopted this method from his early studies in China, where the vertical punch is more common.
- Body Shifting and Avoidance: Similar to Wadō-ryū, Isshin-ryū techniques emphasise body-shifting and avoidance.
- Focus on Speed and Focus: The techniques taught in Isshin-ryū are based on the need for speed and focus.
- Stance and Breathing: Significance is given to stance and breathing, taught to a high tier of knowledge.
- Inclusion of Kobudō: Isshin-ryū is unusual among well-known karate schools for including the study of three weapons traditionally associated with Okinawan kobudō: the bō (棒), sai (釵), and tonfa (トンファー). Weapon-orientated drills like ‘bō-sai-kumite’ (staff-trident-fighting) are a distinctive feature.
- Thirty Basic Exercises: The style’s special peculiarity is its Thirty Basic Exercises.
- Fast Snap-Kicks: Fast snap-kicks are also practised.
Katas Associated with Isshin-ryū
The Isshin-ryū syllabus initially consisted of eight kata. Seven of these were derived from already established prearranged sequences, while Shimabuku also created some. Each kata offers a deeper insight into the origin of this form.
The kata of Isshin-ryū are:
- Seiunchin
- Seisan
- Naihanchi
- Wanshu
- Sanchin
- Chinto
- Kusanku
- Sunsu
In addition to these empty-hand kata, Isshin-ryū includes the following weapon kata:
- Tokumine no Kun (for the bō)
- Chatan Yara no Sai (for the sai, learned from Taira Shinken)
- Kyan no Sai (either learned from Chōtoku Kyan or devised by Shimabuku and named in his honour; Shimabuku later discarded this kata in favour of Kūsankū Sai)
- Hama Higa no Tuifa (Isshin-ryū’s only tonfa kata)
Unique and Similar Katas, and their Differences:
- Seisan: This kata is traditionally taught as the first kata to be learned in the Isshin-ryū curriculum, unlike many other styles. Shimabuku learned his version from Chōtoku Kyan. While it shares features with Gōjū-ryū, including tension and breathing, all punches are performed with a vertical fist. The Isshin-ryū Seisan has Chinese and Shorin-ryū origins, passed from Matsumura to Kyan, and then to Tatsuo Shimabuku. It teaches how to fight multiple opponents directly in front and how to turn to face opponents from different directions, emphasizing the “Seisan Stance” (shortened front stance – sho zenkutsu-dachi or extended sanchin-dachi). In comparison, the Uechi-Ryū Seisan looks very different from other versions, having obvious foundations in Sanchin, relying on the Sanchin stance and introducing techniques like knee strikes, the one-knuckle punch (shōken zuki), spearhand (nukite), and the front kick (shōmen geri).
- Sanchin: Isshin-ryū favors the shorter, Miyagi version of Sanchin. Shimabuku regarded the practice of Sanchin as essential to health. Tragically, he suffered a fatal stroke shortly after performing it in his dōjō on 30 May 1975.
- Naihanchi: Shimabuku studied this kata with both Chōtoku Kyan and Motobu Choki. Isshin-ryū’s Naihanchi is a version of what is elsewhere called Naihanchi/Tekki shodan, and there is no nidan or sandan in Isshin-ryū. It is also unusual (though not unique) in that it begins by moving to the left rather than the right.
- Wanshu: The adaptation of this Tomari-te kata taught in Isshin-ryū schools, with its two side kicks, was devised by Tatsuo Shimabuku.
- Hama Higa no Tuifa: Isshin-ryū’s only tonfa kata, it appears to be closely related to the Uechi-Ryū version of Seisan kata.
Key Teachers and Succession
- Tatsuo Shimabuku: As the founder, his teachings are the bedrock of Isshin-ryū.
- Kichiro Shimabuku: Tatsuo Shimabuku’s son, Kichiro, continued the style after his father’s death around 1976. He closed the old dōjō at Agena and built a new one at Kyan, changing the organisation’s name to the Isshin-ryū World Karate Association. Kichiro also made his own technical alterations, alternating between the standing-fist punch and the corkscrew punch.
- Angi Uezu: A notable student and son-in-law of Tatsuo Shimabuku.
- Don Nagle, Frank Van Lenten, Harold Mitchum, Arsenio Advincula, Harold G. Long, Denny Shaffer, Harry G. Smith, Ed Johnson: Other notable students of Tatsuo Shimabuku.
Isshin-ryū, like many other twentieth-century karate styles, suffered from succession crises after the founder’s death, perhaps more so than others. The sources mention that Uechi Tsuyoshi (not to be confused with Kanbun Uechi) set up another organisation, the Isshin-ryū Okinawa Traditional Karate Association.
Growth and Worldwide Spread
Tatsuo Shimabuku’s dōjō became significant as he began teaching karate near the Camp Hansen Marine Base at Kin, opening it to American G.I.’s. This accessibility contributed significantly to the style’s global expansion. As a result, approximately 336 branches of Isshin-ryū exist throughout the world, with most of them concentrated in the USA.
Official Organisations and Branches
- Isshin-ryū World Karate Association: This organisation is led by Kichiro Shimabuku, Tatsuo Shimabuku‘s son.
- Isshin-ryū Okinawa Traditional Karate Association: Founded by Uechi Tsuyoshi, this organisation represents a separate branch of the style, highlighting the fragmentation that occurred after the founder’s passing.
Legacy
Tatsuo Shimabuku left a distinct mark on the martial arts. His creation of Isshin-ryū represents a unique synthesis of traditional Okinawan karate styles, characterised by its distinctive vertical fist, comprehensive kobudō curriculum, and emphasis on practical application. While the style experienced fragmentation following its founder’s death, its core philosophy and techniques continue to be developed by numerous instructors worldwide. Isshin-ryū’s rapid expansion, particularly in the USA, ensures its enduring legacy as a significant and influential karate style, carrying forward the combined wisdom of its diverse martial arts heritage.
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