KARATE

Karate was developed and introduced in 1954 by Tatsuo Shimabuku on the island of Okinawa. Shimabuku’s karate would be the offspring of two different systems, Goju-Ryu and Shorin-Ryu. By combining the Goju-Ryu, a “Hard” method, and the Shorin-Ryu a “Soft” method he would create in his mind the perfect blend of both styles. Tatsuo introduced katas from other forms into his own form, and would go on to develop features unique to his newly created style. The ranking system, also distinctive to his style, was made up of 7 kyu ranks and 10 degrees of black belts. Another major role in the development of Isshinryu was a vision Shimabuku had in a dream. That vision that helped him mold his karate into its final form is represented on a patch presently worn on the uniform of his followers and their students, and while Isshinryu may be the youngest karate to come from Okinawa, it is as rich with spirit as the earlier forms and continues to still thrive today. Shinkichi Shimabuku, founder of Isshinryu, was born on the island of Okinawa in the Kyan Village on September 19, 1908 (Armstrong, 1993: 7). Upon reaching the age of six, Shimabuku would travel on foot, six miles down an old farm road to reach his uncle’s house in Shurite. His uncle, Kamasu Chan, a Shorin-ryu Master, was reluctant to teach the young Shimibuku. Instead, Kamasu Chan made him perform menial chores around the dojo. After two years of chores and six-mile walks, Shimabuku developed the patients and physical condition to begin his strenuous karate training. His uncle taught Shimabuku the system of which he was a master, Shorin-ryu, and thus started him off on his martial career. During his years of adolescence Shimabuku would change his name from Shinkichi to Tatsuo meaning “Dragon Boy”. It was common during the 1920’s for a young boy to change his name during his adolescence years.