Isshin Ryu History

Isshin Ryu Karate was created on January 16, 1954 by Tatsuo Shimabuku.  He combined his knowledge of the Shorin Ryu and Goju Ryu systems to create this style.
 

Tatsuo Shimabuku

Tatsuo Shimabuku was born on September 19, 1908 on the island of Okinawa.  At the age of 8 years old, he began his martial arts training with his uncle in the village of Shuri.  After acquiring a respectable level of proficiency in Shuri te, he went to train with Chotoku Kyan.  Under Kyan, Shimabuku learned the Kobayashi Ryu style of Shorin Ryu karate.  Shimabuku also studied Goju Ryu under Master Chojun Miyagi.  Shimabuku's third karate instructor, Choki Motobu, had no formal karate training.  Motobu had learned Naihanchi kata and practiced it religiously.

Shimabuku also learned kobudo (way of weapons).  His two teachers were Yabiku Moden and Taira Shinken.

Tatsuo Shimabuku died on May 30, 1975.

Shimabuku was co-founder of the AOKA (American Okinawan Karate Association).  The other two founding members were Harold Mitchum and Steve Armstrong.

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