The Soguwachiguwa was a 3 day celebration beginning with the full moon in January.  Okinawans would pay tribute to Toshitokujin, a Shinto Kami of agriculture, seeking good fortune for their crops in the coming year. When the Gregorian Calendar was adopted, January 15th became the day that Soguwachiguwa was observed.

In 1956 on the occasion of Soguwachiguwa (Okinawan dialect) / Koshogatsu (Japanese), the Little New Year, Master Shimabuku called a special meeting at his home & dojo in Chan village to announce a new name for his unique style of Okinawan Karate. Previously, his style had been called as Chan Migwa Te (in the late 40s) and later Su Nu Su (early 50s).  He chose “Isshin Ryu” because “all things begin with one.

Traditionally, the Coming Of Age Day, Seijin-no-Hi, was also celebrated on January 15th. It’s the mark of entering adulthood. You could say that Master Shimabuku’s Karate entered its adulthood at this time and emerged as Isshin Ryu Karate.

Like an Okinawan Hibiscus, Master Shimabuku’s Karate bloomed as “Isshin Ryu” on that January day in 1956.  Seeds of Isshin Ryu have since been carried on the winds across the oceans and around the globe.  In January of 1972, Sensei Sutton planted one of those seeds at Penn State and established the Penn State Karate Club.  With help from Sensei Dorow & Sensei Liskai, PSKC developed strong roots.

“I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Tatsuo Shimabuku broke with age old traditions and would openly teach his Karate to anyone of good character that demonstrated a true desire to learn, regardless of heritage or gender.

https://universityethics.psu.edu/penn-state-values

Since class night fell on Karate Day this year, we decided to do a 100 Kata Challenge.

The class was broken into three kata groups with beginners doing Seisan, Intermediate/Advanced doing Naihanchi, and Black Belts doing Kyan No Sai.  After a brief warm-up, we had a little over an hour available to perform the katas.

Congratulations to our Naihanchi group on completing 100 repetitions! Kyan No Sai logged 52 repetitions for 2nd place, and Seisan 40 for 3rd.  Lots of energy, sweat, and good kiais!  Great job everyone!

On this day in 1936, prominent Okinawan masters gathered in Naha and formally adopted the term Kara-Te 唐手 (empty hand). The masters present included Hanashiro Chomo (1869-1945), Kyan Chotoku (1870-1945), Motobu Choki (1871-1944), Miyagi Chojun (1888-1953), Kiyoda Juhatsu (1886-1967, Chibana Chosin (1885-1969), and Shinpan Shiroma (1890-1954).
*The three highlighted in bold text are Shimabuku Tatsuo’s teachers.

Large Karate demonstrations, like the following video, are held in Okinawa on October 25th to commemorate the Meeting Of The Masters and celebrate the Okinawan art of Karate.

The declaration of KARATE NO HI (空手の日) KARATE DAY

http://okic.okinawa/en/archives/newstopics/536?fbclid=IwAR1XjOCKa73yxfJPnqnTzgmMkSVwrRhQcWz1QcJhaUoHbchdR4u9Qx2kyY8

Congratulations to our competitors on their achievements last weekend at Young’s 2018 Fall Tournament in Bellefonte!  Special congrats to Sensei Ben Katz on winning the Men’s Grand Championship Sparring.

Also, congrats Sensei Carl Denny (not pictured) for finishing 1st in both his Kata and Weapons divisions at the Isshin Ryu National Championships in Ohio last weekend!

A panoramic view of Room 15 (mat room) in IM Bldg.  Our Sunday Karate classes are held in the Mat Room from 7:30-9:00PM.

Remember, you must be registered for the class to participate.  You can register through the Penn State Campus Recreation website:
https://pennstatecampusrec.org/Program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=991e87d7-7396-433b-8fde-5c93a89e8316&semesterId=d8308e0d-18bd-4499-8762-46458e5aa083

To sign up for a free trial class, email fitness@psu.edu 48 hours in advance of the date you’d like to attend.

For those interested in trying class prior to registering:

One trial class is permitted per semester. All trials must be pre approved by the Fitwell Office. For preapproval of your free one-time-trial-class, send an email to fitness@psu.edu with the requested trial date/class 48hrs in advance. There is no charge for a trial class for current University Park students and current Campus Recreation members. Other guests and community members may try this class by emailing as stated above and registering as a Campus Recreation facility guest. There is a $10 guest charge for non student and non members.

Congratulations to Sensei Kotanchik on his promotion to 5th Dan, and to Sensei Gabel on her promotion to 4th Dan.

Our first class of the fall semester for Campus Recreation’s Fitness & Wellness program kicks off on Tuesday the 25th!  We’ll be in Room7 of IM Building from 7:30-9PM.  After entering IM Building, you will find Room7 on the lower level.

Remember to bring your PSU ID or Campus Rec Membership pass.  To participate in the class, you will need to pre-register for it.  Class size is limited, but space is still available.

https://pennstatecampusrec.org/Program/GetProgramDetails?courseId=991e87d7-7396-433b-8fde-5c93a89e8316&semesterId=d8308e0d-18bd-4499-8762-46458e5aa083

島袋龍夫

Over a century ago, in the small village of Chan, on a small island in the south pacific, a boy was born. One day he would become a Karate Master whose art would reach beyond the shores of Okinawa and spread across the globe.

“Dragon Man” of Isshin Ryu, Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei
(September 19, 1908 – May 30, 1975)