The History of Karate
According to legend, the evolution of Karate began over a thousand years ago, possibly as early as the 5th century B.C. when Bodhidharma, a Buddhist Monk arrived in Shaolin-si, China from India and taught Zen Buddhism. He also introduced a set of exercises designed to strengthen the mind and body. Bodhidharma's teachings later became the basis for the majority of Chinese martial arts. In truth, the origins of Karate appear to be somewhat obscure and little is known about the early development of Karate until it appeared in Okinawa. Sometime between the years 1784 and 1903, the term karate replaced that of Te. This new name reflected the synthesis of the native Okinawan martial arts of Te with the influence of the Chinese Martial Arts the Okinawans had been exposed to.
Karate-do
Karate training
Karate-do was modified and transformed into a way of life by Master Gichin Funakoshi in 1905. Before this, it was just a group of techniques that permitted self-defense without weapons. Weapons bans, imposed on the Okinawans at various points thoughout their history, encouraged the refinement of empty-hand techniques and, for this reason, was trained in secret until modern times. Further refinement came with the influence of other martial arts brought by nobles and trade merchants to the island. Born in 1868, Funakoshi began to study karate at the age of 11, and was a student of the two greatest masters of the time, Yasutsune Itosu and Yasutsune Azato.
The first public demonstration of karate in Japan was in 1917 by Funakoshi, at the Butoku-den in Kyoto. This, and subsequent demonstrations, greatly impressed many Japanese, including the Crown-Prince Hirohito, who was very enthusiastic about the Okinawan art. In 1922, having mastered two major styles of Karate, Funakoshi, then President of the Okinawa association of the Spirit of Martial Arts, was chosen to demonstrate Karate at the first National Athletic Exhibition in Tokyo. This led to the introduction of the ancient martial art to the rest of Japan.
Other masters then helped spread Karate throughout the country and the rest of the world. A general Federation of Karate Organizations was established in 1964 after Karate achieved a following abroad. This federation's main concern has been to establish unified forms, rankings, and rules of competition, and to keep contact with overseas Karate associations. Over the years, numerous schools and styles have emerged, some emphasizing the strengthening of the body, while others focused on quick movement.
History of Isshinryu Karate Tatsuo Shimabuku
Born in 1906, Tatsuo Shimabuku began training for Karate at the age of eight. His first instructor was his uncle, who taught Shuri-te Karate. Each day, Shimabuku would walk to Shuri and perform certain chores in exchange for his Karate training.
Later, Shimabuku studied Kobayashi-Ryu under Master Chotoku Kyan and was one of Kyan's leading disciples. He also studied Goju-Ryu under Master Chojun Miyagi and became very adept at Goju-Ryu. Returning to Kobayashi-Ryu, Shimabuku studied under Master Choki Motobu, who at this time was a legend on the island of Okinawa.
Tatsuo Shimabuku won great recognition for his kata at a large Martial Arts festival. He began to study the art of the Bo and Sai under the Okinawan kobudo master Shinken Taira. By this time, Shimabuku had developed an outstanding reputation throughout the island of Okinawa.
At the beginning of World War II, Shimabuku was a Karate instructor and owned a small manufacturing plant. The plant was destroyed in the early part of the war. In order to avoid being forced into military service by the Japanese, Shimabuku sought refuge in the hillsides where he worked as a farmer until he was discovered by some Japanese soldiers. They agreed to keep his hiding place a secret if he would teach them Karate. Shimabuku agreed. After the war, Shimabuku continued to farm and practiced Karate in private for his own spiritual and physical benefit.
Master Shimabuku was recognized as a leading practitioner of Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu. He included the best elements from each into a new system which he called Isshinryu. This style means "one-heart or one-mind" style. The official birth date of Isshinryu is January 15, 1956. Isshinryu epitomizes the powerful, lighting-fast techniques that, in ancient times enabled the weaponless Okinawans to defeat the sword-wielding Samurai warriors of Japan.
In developing Isshinryu, Master Shimabuku utilized the sage oriental philosophy of the "hard" and the "soft", which emphasizes strength through speed and accuracy. Muscles are relaxed until the point of contact. He used a vertical punch with the thumb placed on top of the fist. This style of punch could be easily forced, produced increasing speed, was easily retracted and avoided positions in which the elbow could be broken. The placement of the thumb on top of the fist strengthened the wrist as well.
For Isshinryu, Shimabuku used what he felt were the best kata from Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu. These kata are common to most styles of Okinawan Karate. Each contains elements that are necessary to develop a well-polished karate-ka. These kata were modified by Shimabuku to fit the mold that he designed for Isshinryu. The only kata that Master Shimabuku created himself is Sunsu, meaning "strong man", the Master's nickname. Sunsu embodies techniques from the other Isshinryu kata and is the most difficult to perform with strength and speed.
On May 30, 1975, Grandmaster Shimabuku died, yet his dream continues to live. Thousands of men, women and children keep his dream alive by studying Isshinryu the world over.
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According to legend, the evolution of Karate began over a thousand years ago, possibly as early as the 5th century B.C. when Bodhidharma, a Buddhist Monk arrived in Shaolin-si, China from India and taught Zen Buddhism. He also introduced a set of exercises designed to strengthen the mind and body. Bodhidharma's teachings later became the basis for the majority of Chinese martial arts. In truth, the origins of Karate appear to be somewhat obscure and little is known about the early development of Karate until it appeared in Okinawa. Sometime between the years 1784 and 1903, the term karate replaced that of Te. This new name reflected the synthesis of the native Okinawan martial arts of Te with the influence of the Chinese Martial Arts the Okinawans had been exposed to.
Karate-do was modified and transformed into a way of life by Master Gichin Funakoshi in 1905. Before this, it was just a group of techniques that permitted self-defense without weapons. Weapons bans, imposed on the Okinawans at various points thoughout their history, encouraged the refinement of empty-hand techniques and, for this reason, was trained in secret until modern times. Further refinement came with the influence of other martial arts brought by nobles and trade merchants to the island. Born in 1868, Funakoshi began to study karate at the age of 11, and was a student of the two greatest masters of the time, Yasutsune Itosu and Yasutsune Azato.
Born in 1906, Tatsuo Shimabuku began training for Karate at the age of eight. His first instructor was his uncle, who taught Shuri-te Karate. Each day, Shimabuku would walk to Shuri and perform certain chores in exchange for his Karate training.
