History
Isshin-ryu, "the one-heart way", was founded in Okinawa in 1956 by Tatsuo Shimabuku, who combined Shorin-ryu, Goju-ryu and kobudo. It spread quickly to the United States through American Marines stationed in Okinawa.
Its symbol is the Isshin-ryu goddess (Mizugami), half woman, half sea serpent, from a dream of its founder.
Shimabuku learned from some of the great Okinawan teachers: Chotoku Kyan (Shorin-ryu), Chojun Miyagi (Goju-ryu) and Choki Motobu, and kobudo from Shinken Taira. Isshin-ryu has eight empty-hand kata (Seisan, Seiuchin, Naihanchi, Wansu, Chinto, Kusanku, Sunsu and Sanchin), and US Marines such as Don Nagle, Harold Long and Steve Armstrong opened the first schools in America.