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”.
To celebrate Karate Day, PSKC will be participating in the Multicultural Unity Fair on Saturday, October 25th. The fair runs from 11am-4pm in the Community Room (2nd floor) of the State College Borough Building on Allen Street. The PSKC demo will be at 12:30.
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)
The Penn State Karate Club will meet in room 232 HUB on Saturdays from 4-6PM (starting 9/20/25) instead of Fridays. There will be no Friday meeting tonight (9/19/25).
232 HUB is on the Student Book Store side of the building, 2 floors above the WPSU radio booth.
PSKC will still meet on Wednesdays & Sundays from 7-9PM on the HUB lawn. If weather is poor, meet inside by the Student Book Store entrance, on the lower level.
Look for the Penn State Karate Club at the Student Involvement Fair. The event is one of the best opportunities to get involved in campus life at Penn State. Student Organizations set up displays and have members on site talk to visitors one on one about what their organization does on campus. Involvement in co-curricular experiences is one of the most important parts of having a successful college career! You will make friends, learn all about Penn State, and develop invaluable skills you will use in life beyond Penn State. Wondering where to start? Start at the Involvement Fair! Look for the Penn State Karate Club table!
September 2nd
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
HUB Robeson Center Lawn
Karate will kick off the fall semester with HUB Lawn classes at 7PM on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The HUB room 232 scheduled will be announced in the coming weeks.
New students welcome. No previous experience required.
Enjoy the July 4th holiday with family and friends. We will not have Karate on Friday the 4th.
If you are in town, check out the great local 4th Fest activities and fireworks display:
https://www.centralpa4thfest.org/
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.
With the conclusion of the spring semester, many renovation projects at Penn State are now underway. April & May showers have sprouted new construction fences everywhere across campus. For the time being, HUB 232 will be unavailable. The HUB parking deck is also closed for renovations.
Karate practice will be held on the HUB Lawn (weather permitting) or inside the HUB near the Student Book Store on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays starting at 7PM.
Check back for schedule updates as summer progresses.
Annual Paterno Family Beaver Stadium 5K, supporting Special Olympics Pennsylvania