There are certain concepts that all students must learn and understand before they are able to press on with training in Isshinryu Karate-do. Some of these fundamentals involve a set of physical skills that must be practiced repeatedly until they become second nature. Still other fundamentals are exercises in thought or philosophy.
The diligent Karate-ka will embrace these fundamentals and master them through repetition and reflection.
The Karate Creed
I come to you with only Karate - empty hands. I have no weapons. But should I be forced to defend myself, my principles, or my honor - should it be a matter of life or death, right or wrong, then here are my weapons: karate. My empty hands.
The Isshinryu Code
1) A person's heart is the same as the heavens and earth.
2) The blood circulating is like the moon and the sun.
3) The manner of spitting or drinking is either hard or soft.
4) A person's unbalance is the same as a weight.
5) The body should be able to change motion at any time.
6) The time to strike is when opportunity presents itself.
7) The eye must see in every way.
8) The ear must listen in all directions.
Objectives of a Karate-ka
1) Is efficient and seizes opportunity quickly
2) Corrects all errors
3) Lives karate daily
4) Looks, acts, and feels sharp
5) Knows nothing is free or easy
6) Blocks hard, hits hard
7) Maintains self-control
8) Gives 100% effort all the time
9) Learns from mistakes
10) Relies on him/herself
Dojo Kun (Rules of the Dojo)
1) We will train our hearts and bodies for a firm unshaken spirit.
2) We will pursue the true meaning of the martial way, so that in time our senses will be alert.
3) With true vigor we will seek to cultivate a true spirit of self-denial.
4) We will observe the rules of courtesy & respect for our superiors and refrain from violence.
5) We will pay homage to our Creator and never forget the true virtue of humility.
6) We will look upwards to wisdom & strength, not seeking other desires.
7) All our lives, through the disciplines of karate, we will seek to fulfill the true meaning of the Way.
Four Aspects Which Karate Should Develop
1) To develop mind, body, & spirit to their fullest extent
2) To develop self-confidence and gain control of one's life
3) To develop self-control and self-respect
4) To develop a way to protect ourselves and our loved ones
15 Upper Body Basics
For brevity, the basics listed below demonstrate right-side striking only. These techniques must be mastered on both sides - left and right.
1) Right foot forward, right punch to solar plexus
2) Right foot forward, right uppercut
3) Left foot forward, right punch to solar plexus (reverse punch)
4) Left foot forward, right uppercut
5) Right foot back, left downward block followed by right punch to solar plexus
6) Right foot back, left middle block followed by right punch to solar plexus
7) Right foot back, left open-hand cross body block followed by right spear-hand to solar plexus
8) Right foot back, left open-hand rising block followed by right uppercut
9) Right foot back, left high block followed by right punch to solar plexus
10) Right foot back, left high block, left backfist to face followed by right punch to solar plexus
11) Left foot forward, left downward block followed by 2 punches to solar plexus and 3 punches to groin
12) Left foot forward, left middle block followed by 2 punches to solar plexus and 3 punches to groin
13) Left foot forward, left chop to midsection followed by right chop to neck
14) Left foot forward, left cross-body palm block followed by 2 round punches
15) Right foot back, X-block in front of body followed by elbow strikes (front and behind)
9 Basic Kicks
Isshinryu kicks consist of 4 basic movements (hiza geri being the exception): chamber (lifting the leg), extension (kicking), retraction (pulling the kick back) and resetting the foot on the floor.
1) Mae geri - front kick
2) Yoko geri - side kick
3) Mawashi geri - round kick
4) Uchiro geri - back kick
5) Hiza geri - knee kick
6) Kensetsu geri - angle kick
7) Maekaki geri - heel thrust kick
8) Fumikome - heel stomp kick
9) Yokomae geri - side front kick
Other background information that students should know as they advance through the ranks:
Accuracy
Fluidity
Speed
Power
Tempo
1 - arakezuri - the kata is rough and not yet showing its true potential ( beginning)
2 - nakakezuri - the kata is taking form (middle)
3 - hosakezuri - the kata is clean and polished, but still needs refinement (top)
4 - shiyagi - the kata is a true work of art (beyond the top)
1 - Kobayashi Ryu - Young Pine Forest Style
2 - Shobayashi Ryu - Small Pine Forest Style
3 - Matsubayashi Ryu - Pine Forest Style
1 - Uechi Ryu (Uechi style)
2 - Goju Ryu (Hard-soft style)
Goju Ryu - Chojun Miyagi
Isshinryu - Shinkichi "Tatsuo" Shimabuku
Kichero Shimabuku - Soke's eldest son and head of the IWKA
Arsenio "AJ" Advincula - designed the Isshinryu patch (Mizugami)
Taira Shinken - Soke Shimabuku's primary kobudo instructor
Eiko Kineshi - Suggested the name 'Isshinryu' to Soke Shimabuku
Harold Long, Harold Mitchum, Don Nagle - Early US pioneers of Isshinryu