The
following is a short history of Isshinryu Karate and then a summary of monern
events....
Isshinryu Karate History
Shinkichi Shimabuku was born in Chun village, Okinawa, September 19th, 1908.
Later in life he changed his name to Tatsuo, which means "dragon boy." Shinkichi
had an older brother who would bully him frequently. For this reason, in 1916,
he sought out his Uncle Irshu Matsumora who was a well-known karate teacher.His
discipline was called Shuri-te.
At eight years old, Tatsuo walked approximately 12 miles to reach his uncle's
dojo in Shuri village. When Tatsuo told his uncle about his problem with his
older brother, Matsumora laughed and said that he ought to learn to run faster.
Tatsuo continued to walk to his uncle's dojo each day. Finally, Matsumora realized
that this boy was serious. After first requiring Tatsuo to perform many menial
tasks in the dojo, eventually Irshu taught him Shuri-te.
In the 1920's, Tatsuo began to study Kobayashi Shorinryu under Master Gajoko
Chioyu. By 1926 Chioyu saw the potential of Shimabuku. He introduced Tatsuo
to a legend, Master Chotoku Kiyan. Kiyan was a renowned kata expert and a leading
fighter of the era. Master Shimabuku eventually became Kiyan's best student.
Later Tatsuo turned down the opportunity to succeed Kiyan as leader of Shobayashi
Shorinryu Karate. Instead, his younger brother, Eizo became Soke. After a number
of years went by, Master Kiyan died (9-20-45).
Shimabuku wanted to further his knowledge and skill. He sought after another
legend, Chojun Miyagi. Miyagi was the founder of Gojuryu Karate (the "hard/soft
style). Gojuryu is a mix of Naha-te and Pa Kua Ch'ang. Shimabuku became one
of Miyagi's best students. Incidentally, the "Karate Kid" character was named
after Chojun Miyagi. On October 8th, 1953 Chojun Miyagi died.
Master Shimabuku had one last karate teacher. This was Master Choki Motobu.
He was a large, well-conditioned man. Motobu was primarily a fighter. He refined
Shimabuku's knowledge of fighting techniques and also the use of the makiwara.
Master Motobu claimed to practice each of the three versions of Niahanchi kata
500 times a day.
Tatsuo Shimabuku was considered a master by the other karateka on Okinawa. In
those days, there was no formalized ranking system. Most karateka wore white
belts until these became black belts. You were not a master by rank, but by
recognition of the "master's council" on Okinawa.
Master Shimabuku studied Kobu-do (Okinawan weaponry) under Master Shinken Tiara.
Tiara was a student of the legendary Yabiku Moden. Shimabuku learned the bo,
sai, tonfa, kama, and nunchaku. He never officially incorporated the kama and
nunchaku into Isshinryu.
During World Was II, Shimabuku's business was destroyed. He moved his family
into the country to pursue farming. This was about the only way to support his
family. After the was, he began teaching a synthesis he called "Chan Migwa Te",
in honor of Master Kiyan. The name meant, "Small eyed Kiyan." In 1954, after
making a number of radical changes to what he had learned, he called his karate,
"Isshin do."
In 1956, it became the Isshinryu that we know today. The official name is Isshinryukokusaikaratereidorimei.
January 15th, 1956 is considered by most, the birthday of Isshinryu karate.
In 1959, the American-Okinawan karate Association was formed.
Since Master Shimabuku's death on May 30th, 1975 there have been many others.
These organizations have done some good, but politics still plague Isshinryu
around the world.
A Modern History
Angi Eizu was Shimabuku's son-in-law. He has been the head of the Isshinryu
World Karate Association since Tatsuo's death. In Okinawa he is nearly unchallenged,
but in America his right to leadership is strongly questioned. When Tatsuo died
in 1975, Angi said that he was given control of all Isshinryu.
It is documented that Shimabuku had given control of American Isshinryu to Harold
Long and a few other U.S. Marines that Shimabuku had trained extensively. Angi
said, among other things, that all black belt promotions had to come from him,
including Longs. Tatsuo had promoted Long to 8th Degree personally.
Regardless, Angi Eizu is an expert Martial artist and instructor. Joseph Jennings
met with Angi in Okinawa numerous times to train. He also had other Isshinryu
teachers. Mr. Jennings owns a large string of dojo around Rochester NY. He now
resides in California operating a film company that makes martial arts videos.
Last known rank was 8th dan.
Randy Pumputis trained with Jennings and with other instructors at the Jennings
academies for years. He also trained with Angi several times. Pumputis has a
very successful dojo in Rochester (300+ students). Pumputis is a repeated tournament
grand champion. His last known rank is 5th dan.
Michael Blum trained with Patricia Lewis in Goshin Jutsu for about 3 months.
Afterwards, he joined the Pumputis Karate Academy (June 25, 1986). He was awarded
the black belt in August 1989. Later, when he left for college he was instructed
to begin teaching on his own. The karate club in Edinboro was born. Classes
there continued nearly uninterrupted until 1995. In 1996, a former student of
Blum's who had left to attend another university, returned with a black belt
and a small school in Clarion PA. They merged the two schools calling it the
Sanchin Karate Academy. A third class in Sherman NY was added later.
The merger lasted until March, 1997. Due to extreme differences in philosophy
and values, Sensei Blum left Sanchin. Sanchin has since closed its doors
