Tag Archives: IsshinRyu

2025 All Isshinryu National Championship & Masters Symposium

2025 All Isshinryu National Championship & Masters Symposium on October 3-4, 2025
Celebrating and sharing Master Tatsuo Shimabuku’s legacy and vision.

Friday, October 3 –
4:30 – 5 PM – Check-in/registration
5 – 9 pm – Seminars (all ages and ranks). The seminar presenters will be:
Hanshi Bill Marcum – Joint Locks and counters
Sensei Mike Wilkenson and Sensei Ken Kramer – Self Defense
Sensei Ed Powers – Gracie Jiu Jitsu
Sensei Katherine Bryk – Bo-Bo Drill Kumite. (Please bring your bo for this seminar.)

Saturday, October 4 –
8:30 – 10:30 AM – Check-in/registration
9:30 – 10:30 AM – Competition seminar for all kyu ranks
9:30 – 10:30 AM – Rules & competition seminar for black belts, followed by black belt meeting
10:30 AM – 12:15 PM – Lunch on your own
12:30 – Tournament begins

Location: Avon French Creek YMCA in Avon, Ohio.

Register & pay online, OR at the door (no checks accepted the day of the event).

Questions? Please contact Hanshi Roxanne Marcum: IsshinryuChampionships@gmail.com

Additional Information & Updates:
https://www.facebook.com › events › 981468257450649

Happy Big New Year!

2023 Year Of The Rabbit


January 15th 1956, Master Tatsuo Shimabuku called a special meeting at his home & dojo in  Chan village, Gushikawa city 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).  On the occasion of Soguwachiguwa (Okinawan dialect) / Koshogatsu (Japanese), the Little New Year, Master Shimabuku announced the official name of his Karate.  He chose “Isshin Ryu” because “all things begin with one.”

The Soguwachiguwa is 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, and also the day Master Shimabuku chose to name Isshin Ryu. 

Traditionally, the Coming Of Age Day, Seijin-no-Hi, is 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.

How will your Karate grow in the coming year?  Hard work combined with good fortune should yield an excellent crop.

In Japan, the Oshogatsu (The Big New Year) was also changed to match the Gregorian Calendar.  In some regions, like Okinawa, the original Chinese New Year date is still observed.

Happy Little New Year!

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. 

Hibiscus Bush Stock Photos, Pictures & Royalty-Free Images ...


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. PSKC celebrates its 51st anniversary this year.

Congratulations to Dalal on her promotion to Rokkyu on this auspicious day!

HUB Lawn Karate on Sundays & Weather

Weather permitting, we’ll have extra outside Karate practices on Sundays at 7PM on the HUB lawn. If it is raining OR if temperatures are below 0°C/32°F then we will not have outside Karate class.

Karate in room 232HUB on Wednesday at 7PM and Sundays at 12:30PM will be unaffected by weather, unless the University shuts down for extreme weather conditions.

October 25th is designated as “Karate Day” in Okinawa.

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

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)