Student's Area
.... The exercise becomes natural when practiced over and over again. movements and actions, which at first seemed difficult, flow freely and apparently without effort.
Dojo Rules
1) No sparring without instructors supervision
2) Safety equipment must be worn. this inlcudes gloves, foot pads, shin guards, moutnhpiece, groin protector (male) and chest guard (female)
3) No [head] contact is allowed. Punches and kicks will be directed to the chest area only
4. Any injury that occurs during class hours must be reported to the insturctor immediately
5) Any injury that occurs outside of class may be reported to the instructor
6) Any Medical of Physical Problems must be reported to the instructor
7) Any takedown technique must be performed on mats only
8) ***CAUTION*** The dojo has two wals that are mirrored and two wals of concrete which can cause serious injury. Workout with safety in mind
9) No profanity or display of anger or poor sportsmanship is permitted
10) Show proper respect to instructors and fellow club members
History
Isshinruy karate is an Okinawan system of Martial Arts eveloped by the late Tatsuo Shimabuku, 10th degree black belt. Isshinryu was formally accepted as a system in the orient in 1954. the most notable aspect of this system is the vertical punch and the use of speed and stap to generate power.
Tatsuo Shimabuku was born September 9, 1908 as Shinkichi and changed this name at the age of 13 to Tatsuo (Dragon man). Through his desire to learn karate, Master Shimabuku studied with several notable instructors of his time. his two Shorinryu instructors were Choki Motobu (1871-1944) and Chotuku Kiyan (1870-1945). From them he learned Seisan, naihanchi, Wansu, Chinto an dKusanku, which were modified to become part of the Isshinryu system. His Goju Ryu instructor was Chojun Miyagi (1888-1953). From Master Miyagi, Shimabuku learned the essence of Seiuchin and Sanchin forms, also incorporated into the Isshinryu system. the last empty hand form in Isshinryu is Sunsu kata. This data does not derive ffrom any other system ans was developed by master Shimabuku himself. Susu is the name of a legendary stone in Okinawa that guards the city and can never be moved.
From Taira Shinken (1902-1970) an dYabiku Mode, Shimabuku studied Kobu-jutsu and incorporated 3 bo and 2 sai forms as well as Bo-bo kumite and b-sai kumite into his system.
One day, Master Shimabuku was resting on top of a water tank in his courtyard. he vell asleep and began to dream. In his dream, a man entered the yard and challenged the master to a fight. Shimabuku opened his left hand to the man and at the same time raised his right hand in a fist. Symbolizing peace and power at the same time, this movement is the same as theopening move to our empty hand kata. The man did not leave, instead he surrounded Shimabuku with flames. using the water in the tank, Master Shimabuku extinguished the flames - he then awoke from his dream.
The next day in the city of Naha he happened upon a picture of "Mizu gami," half woman half sea serpent. her hands were held in the same position as he had taken in his dream and he soon realized the "Mizu gami" would be the ideal symbol to represent his new system Isshinryu Karate, the "One Heart Way." the three stars and oriental kanji were added to form the patch which is worn over the heart by every Isshinruy practitioner.
Master Shimabuku died on May 30, 2975 leaving us to carry on the legacy of his still evolving system and discover the secrets hidden within.