Histoire
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.
Le saviez-vous ?
- Isshin-ryu punches with the thumb on top of the vertical fist.
- Blocks are made with the muscular side of the forearm.
- Weapons training (bo and sai) is part of the curriculum.
- Sunsu, the last empty-hand kata, was created by Shimabuku himself.
Formes
SeisanSeiuchinNaihanchiWansuChintoKusankuSunsuSanchin
Armes et équipement
- Bo
- long staff
- Sai
- metal truncheon with prongs
Figures clés
- Tatsuo Shimabuku (1908–1975) — founder of Isshin-ryu
Sources: Encyclopaedia Britannica · Tatsuo Shimabuku — film archive (Michael Calandra, "The Martial Truth")