What Is Isshin Ryu?

Isshin Ryu is a style of martial art developed in Okinawa during the 1950s by its founder, Tatsuo Shimabuku (1906-1975).

Shimabuku combined two styles of karate ; Goju Ryu (a ‘hard’ style) and Shorin Ryu (a ‘soft’ style) to create a new, more dynamic method of self-defense.

Before officially founding Isshin Ryu, he had taught his karate to Japanese soldiers fighting in the Philippines during World War II and later to American soldiers stationed in Okinawa during the Korean War and Vietnam.

Many martial arts historians consider Tatsuo Shimabuku to be a innovator because he taught methods that differed from the popular teaching of the time… and even today.

He advocated narrow stances that emphasized striking over the deeper stances that are commonly taught. He argued for the use of quick, snapping techniques over lunging attacks to enhance speed and balance. And, he used a combination of hard and soft techniques together to round out his arsenal.

He also taught students to use a vertical fist rather than the corkscrew punch to reinforce proper body mechanics and ensure that the wrist and arm are not injured while punching.

Based on research done by Grandmasters Chris Thomas and George Dillman, we at the Kyusho-Jitsu Kenkyukai consider Shimabuku to be a reactionary rather than an innovator. As it turns out, the methods that he taught were a throwback to earlier self-defense tactics that were taught only to Okinawans before the Japanese and Americans became interested in the Okinawan art of karate.

As outsiders began learning the art, many Okinawan instructors began changing their techniques in an effort to hide the true intentions of the movements.

Shimabuku however, chose to teach karate in its original form to anyone (Japanese or American) who wanted to learn.

Perhaps the greatest testament to Master Tatsuo Shimabuku is not the legacy of great martial arts that he left behind, but rather his willingness to teach the true art everyone regardless of their race, religion, color, and national origin.

Shimabuku had the rare ability to see beyond the surface of a person and discover the true warrior within others. At a time when the American soldiers were viewed with fear and suspicion by many local Okinawans, Shimabuku demonstrated a respect and understanding that has allowed his art to live on among thousands of practitioners all over the world today.

We honor him by striving to continue his legacy and by training, ‘whole-heartedly,’ in the art that is known as Isshin Ryu.