Isshinryu Links

• VertialFist.net―basic information on Isshinryu Karate
  
• Sensei Mario Ambris—Isshinryu Karate dojo site, fundamental information
  
• wikipedia—public information about Ishin Ryu, a good reference site
  
• Mississippi Isshinryu Karate, clean looking site, same technique pictures
  

15 Upper Body Moves of Isshinryu

The beginners (white belt) are taught 15 fundamental upper body moves (UBM) and 9 lower body moves (LBM) of Isshinryu Karate.

Unless otherwise noted:
the catch happens before the step,
all punches use the Isshinryu fist,
all punches are proceeded by a forward step,
all punches are from a defensive stance, seisan dashi,
all kata are repeated on the left side.

Upper Body Moves

1. lead punch to solar plexus.
2. lead upper cut punch, palm up, to throat.
3. reverse (cross or rear) punch to solar plexus.
4. reverse punch to throat, palm up.
5. low block to outside shuto block, reverse punch to solar plexus.
6. middle backfist block to outside, reverse punch to solar plexus.
7. upper open hand block to outside, vertical finger thrust to throat.
8. open hand up raising block, upper cut to throat.
9. up raising block, reverse punch to solar plexus.
10. sucker punch jodan shuto block, point elbow at nose and strike with knuckles, reverse punch to solar plexus.
11. middle backfist block to outside, 5 alternating punches to solar plexus.
12. low block to outside shuto block, 5 alternating punches to solar plexus.
13. block groin attack, karate chop to neck.
14. push block strike to abdomen, roundhouse left right to sternum then kidney.
15. bear hug from rear, step back into attacker, cat stance, elbow strike, judan block forward second attacker.

Isshinryu Beginnings

Tatsuo Shimabuku was born on September 19, 1908, in Chun Village, Okinawa.

After WWII Shimabuku returned to farming and practiced Karate privately for his own spiritual repose and physical exercise. He felt a need to combine the various styles of Karate (Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu) into one. After a lifetime of study of various martial arts Isshinryu Karate was instantiated on January 15, 1954. Loosely translated Isshinryu means One-Heart Method.
Master Shimabuku chose this name because, "All things begin with One."

Master Tatsuo Shimabuku passed away at his home in Agena, Okinawa, on May 30, 1975.

His eldest son, Kichiro Shimabuku, inherited the reigns of Isshinryu Karate, the rank of 10th Dan, and title of Soke.

First Karate Class

Began my Isshinryu Karate training last night at Joslin's East/West Karate.

Class starts about 8 PM and is about 1.5 hours total, including dress down, work out, dojo clean up and packing your gear. There is 10 minutes or more before class to stretch out and warm up a bit. The stretching part of class is to brief to be of any use at all.

Side kicks don't work with this body so I practiced my front snap kicks.

Condition

• Sucking air by the end of the heavy bag work.
  
• Push ups with knees on ground.
  
• Abdominal crunches a piece of cake.
  
• Bicycle crunch (arms on mat version) was impossible at speed, I do it in super slo-mo.
  
• Able to walk after class.
  
• Felt like I got a good workout without over doing it.
  

However, we had difficulty sleeping because the leg was "alive" after class. This morning I was unable to lift the foot 6 inches off the ground. It is muscle fatigue, not a strain or injury. By this afternoon I was able to walk up stairs again.

Karate Training to Begin

Yesterday I had the interview with Kyoshi Dave Joslin. I told him about myself and why I wanted to train at his school. He was comfortable with what I had to say and believes that I will feel at home in the dojo.

I signed up for a ten months of classes, Monday and Wednesday evenings beginners. My first class will be April 16, 2007 with Mr. Oliver.

I came home with a light weight white gi, size 6, and a pair of bag gloves.

They were out of the book that they recommend for beginners. But it was nice to see The Bubishi for sale along with all the other books. I'm going to reread it. ;)

Lessons abound where East meets West

Round house, side, katas, sticks and swords are all parts of the high-flying fun and fitness at Joslin's East West Karate studio in Auburn.

—Auburn Journal

I had seen their fliers in local restaurants around Auburn, but it wasn't until I saw the cover article in the Auburn Journal that I began to give this Karate dojo serious consideration.

Joslin's East/West Karate is located out Highway 49 towards Grass Valley. Sharon and I went to watch class on Saturday and it struck us as being quite a way from town (not walking distance). Difficult to spot from the highway but we had the street address and found it on the second pass. Unfortunately, they were closed for the Easter weekend :(. The space look clean and well kept, plenty of free standing heavy bags, mirrors with a gray vinyl mat cover.

Their website is difficult to google in part due to these other Joslin fellows in Ontario who have a good web presence. The Auburn dojo's site is www.GreatKarate.com

It will change you

Practice for 100 days every day and it will change you.

Sifu Fong Ha