 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Shinkichi Shimabuku had developed a karate system with fast,
direct and powerful punches and kicks, without every superfluous
movement. He replaced the traditional twisted punch with the
trademark of Isshinryu karate: the vertical punch. A punch with a
vertical fist is faster and has more impact. In a real fight the - in
many other styles learned -Â horizontal fist is most of the times
replaced with the more effective and faster vertical fist (as you
also can see in a boxing match).
Tatsuo instructed the people of Okinawa and also many American
soldiers, who were stationed on Okinawa after the war. In 1956 he
starts to use the Agena dojo, giving him the opportunity to be
nearer to the American bases. From the American marines he got a
contract for $250 a month (which was much money that time) to
train the Americans. Because of that Shimabuku became one of the
first professional karate teachers.
At a special gathering with his students held at January 15, 1956 he
declared that his style of karate should be called: Isshinryu karate.
Isshinryu means: one-heart or one-mind method. Eiko Kaneshi,
Tatsuo's right hand man said: "Why Isshinryu, why such a funny
name?", and Shimabuku replied: "Because all things begin with
one".
During his karate career, Master Shimabuku changed his name to
"Tatsuo," meaning ‘dragon boy.' Whenever ask about this change,
Master Shimabuku would reply that "Tatsuo" was his chosen
karate name. He was also given the nickname, ‘Sunsu’, meaning
‘strong man’. It has been speculated that ‘Sunsu’ was given to him
due to his abnormal strength developed through the practice of the
‘Sanchin’ kata. Master Shimabuku was only around five feet tall
and weighed approximately one hundred and twenty pounds, yet he
possessed unusual strength for a man his size.
direct and powerful punches and kicks, without every superfluous
movement. He replaced the traditional twisted punch with the
trademark of Isshinryu karate: the vertical punch. A punch with a
vertical fist is faster and has more impact. In a real fight the - in
many other styles learned -Â horizontal fist is most of the times
replaced with the more effective and faster vertical fist (as you
also can see in a boxing match).
Tatsuo instructed the people of Okinawa and also many American
soldiers, who were stationed on Okinawa after the war. In 1956 he
starts to use the Agena dojo, giving him the opportunity to be
nearer to the American bases. From the American marines he got a
contract for $250 a month (which was much money that time) to
train the Americans. Because of that Shimabuku became one of the
first professional karate teachers.
At a special gathering with his students held at January 15, 1956 he
declared that his style of karate should be called: Isshinryu karate.
Isshinryu means: one-heart or one-mind method. Eiko Kaneshi,
Tatsuo's right hand man said: "Why Isshinryu, why such a funny
name?", and Shimabuku replied: "Because all things begin with
one".
During his karate career, Master Shimabuku changed his name to
"Tatsuo," meaning ‘dragon boy.' Whenever ask about this change,
Master Shimabuku would reply that "Tatsuo" was his chosen
karate name. He was also given the nickname, ‘Sunsu’, meaning
‘strong man’. It has been speculated that ‘Sunsu’ was given to him
due to his abnormal strength developed through the practice of the
‘Sanchin’ kata. Master Shimabuku was only around five feet tall
and weighed approximately one hundred and twenty pounds, yet he
possessed unusual strength for a man his size.
| Lone Star Karate & Self-Defense |
