Isshin Ryu Karate’s founder Shimabuku 島袋 was born in Chan village on September 19,1908, Meiji 41 – year of the “Monkey”. His given Okinawan name was “Kana” and his given Japanese name was “Shinkichi“. As an adult, he chose the name “Tatsuo” – 龍夫 Dragon Man. He studied Karate under Okinawan Masters Kyan Chotoku 喜屋武 朝徳, Miyagi Chojun 宮城 長順 and Motobu Choki 本部 朝基. He further pursued Kobudo training with Master Taira Shinken 平 信賢. Shimabuku combined their teachings with his insights to form his own style. On January 15th, 1956, he announced the name of his style as Isshin Ryu 一心流, One-Heart Way. Isshin Ryu’s Dragon Man passed away on May 30th, 1975. His Karate lives on.
On Sunday the 14th, members of PSKC participated in the Japanese Student Association’s annual Matsuri Festival in Alumni Hall. Demonstrations included Karate & Kobudo forms, applications, board breaking, and an audience participation session introducing Fukyugata Ni.
Thank you JSA for organizing the spring festival for everyone and inviting PSKC to participate.
The ソグワチグワ Soguwachiguwa was a 3 day celebration beginning with the full moon in January. Okinawans would pay tribute to 歳徳神 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 ソグワチグワ Soguwachiguwa (Okinawan dialect) / 小正月 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, and the heart is the most important part. Isshin Ryu is the One Heart Way/Method.
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.
We will not be meeting Wednesday (11/26/25) for Karate practice. But you can always practice wherever you are. The HUB will close at 6pm for the holiday. It will re-open on Saturday (11/29/25), we will resume our normal schedule then.
Members of the Penn State Karate Club participated in the Multicultural Unity Fair on October 25th, sharing the Okinawan intangible cultural asset of Karate with State College community members. Following the Isshin Ryu demonstration, community members were invited to participate in Fukyugata Dai Ichi.
Afterward, some of the PSKC members hiked to the top of Mt. Nittany for the colourful autumn views and to practice “Kata on the Mountaintop”.
View of Penn State University main campus from the top of Mt. Nittany.Some members of PSKC practicing kata on the mountain top for Karate Day 2025.
