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Isshin-Ryu Karate
Shotokan KarateShotokan Karate, which was developed by Gichin Funakoshi, is a martial art or method of fighting that comprises a ..... Tatsuo Shimabuku, a great karate master, is credited as the founder of Isshin-Ryu, a martial art that Master Shimabuku adapted from older classical fighting styles. When he was 14, Master Shimabuku began his karate training. He dedicated his life to the study and teaching of karate. For nearly three decades, Master Shimabuku studied under each of the masters of Shuri-Te, Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu.
Once Master Shimabuku mastered the different styles, he picked out the best techniques of each style, altered them, improved them and assimilated them into a new art form, Isshin-Ryu. Master Shimabuku took kumite (sparring) from Shuri-Te Master Motobu. He took kata (forms) from Shorin-Ryu Master Kiyan and enhanced them. And finally, he took Sanchin (the basis of all Okinawan karate) from Goju-Ryu Master Miyagi. Thus, it can be said that Isshin-Ryu has roots dating back five centuries. Developed in the 1950s, Isshin-Ryu is a postwar development. American Marines who have been stationed in Okinawa are taught Isshin-Ryu.
When World War II arrived on Okinawa's shores, Shimabuku's small manufacturing plant was completely destroyed. A businessman and a karate instructor, Shimabuku went bankrupt at the onset of the war. He avoided being drafted by the Japanese Army by fleeing to the countryside and there he worked as a farmer. When circumstances became more and more dire for the Japanese, they began to pressure the Okinawans to serve in the Japanese army. This prompted Shimabuku to flee once again.
Shimabuku's reputation as a karate expert spread among the Japanese. Soldiers sought him out because they wanted to learn karate from Shimabuku. When some soldiers caught up with Shimabuku, they struck a deal with him. They would keep his whereabouts a secret in exchange for teaching them karate. This was how Master Shimabuku managed to remain alive and weather the war.
When the war ended, Master Shimabuku didn't have a business. His odds of making a living teaching karate on an island devastated by war were also pretty slim. Left with no other choice, Master Shimabuku went back to farming. He practiced karate in private for his own spiritual enrichment and physical conditioning. Master Shimabuku is widely recognized as Okinawa's prominent practitioner of Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu Karate.
In the mid-20th century, Master Shimabuku started contemplating the idea of merging various fighting styles into one standard system. He was able to foresee the many problems that could arise from the differences among styles. His conclusion was that by unifying or synthesizing the different styles, the growth of karate would be enhanced or refined. Master Shimabuku sought the advice of the older masters who lived in the island as well as the leaders of the various prominent schools.
Initially, Master Shimabuku's idea was met with unanimity but it was shortlived. The heads of the various martial arts schools started rejecting Master Shimabuku's idea because they feared they would lose their identity and position. This did not deter Master Shimabuku. He went ahead with his idea and developed Isshin-Ryu. Master Shimabuku died on May 30, 1975. He left a legacy to the world of karate as well as to future students and practitioners of Isshin-Ryu.
The symbol of Isshin-Ryu came about in a vision while Master Shimabuku was developing Isshin-Ryu. Story has it that Master Shimabuku fell asleep after a hard day developing Isshin-Ryu. Master Shimabuku had a dream. In his dream, a man entered his dojo and issued him a challenge. Master Shimabuku refused, explaining to the man that he was a gentleman and did not engage in fights unless it was necessary to do so. A dragon appeared over the man and started spitting fire around Master Shimabuku. As the ring of fire drew nearer and nearer, another figure, Mizu-Gami (Water Goddess) appeared over Master Shimabuku and extinguished the fire. This dream - this vision - made Master Shimabuku realize that it was exactly the "mold" in which he desired to fashion Isshin-Ryu after.
The visual depiction of Mizu-Gami contains some symbolisms. The three stars represent Master Shimabuku's three teachers: Masters Kiyan, Motobu and Miyagi. The dragon represents the dragon that spit fire in Master Shimabuku's dream. On a sidenote, Master Shimabuku's first name is Tatsue, which means "Dragon." One hand in the Isshin-Ryu symbol is raised in the universal sign of peace while the other hand is clenched, ready for battle. One half of the symbol also shows a woman, which depicts peace and kindness. The other half is hidden and is in the image of a sea serpent. This image symbolizes the idea that even though we have the strength to overcome things, we should hide our strengths and instead show a soft, kind face to the rest of the world.
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