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.
On April 6th, the Penn State Karate Club gave demonstrations at the Penn State Japanese Friendship Association’s annual Matsuri, spring festival.
At the conclusion of our demonstration, brave audience members joined us on stage to learn Fukyugata Dai Ichi. A kata created by Master Shoshin Nagamine as an introductory form to help promote Karate to others. We also teach Fukyugata Ni, created by Master Chojun Miyagi.
Thank you to the members of the JFA for all your work organizing this great event and inviting the PSKC to be part of it again.
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.
In the USA, we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his beliefs in equality on January 15th. Master Shimabuku was progressive in his time as well. He would teach anyone his art as long as they were genuinely interested and of good heart, man or woman, any race or creed.
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.
PSKC Alumni Black Belt accomplishments at IWKA 2024 World Championships featured in the NOV/DEC issue of Penn Stater Magazine. The online version can be found here: https://pennstatermag.com/sports/still-strong
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.
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)
