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Isshin-ryu



         


Isshin-ryu is a style of Okinawan karate founded by Shimabuku Tatsuo in the mid-1900s. The name means, literally, "one heart" or "one mind". The style, while not very popular on Okinawa, spread to the United States and other countries where many variations of the system exist. The system is summed up in its kata, or formal practice methods. In many of the various forks of the system, thirteen kata are agreed upon as belonging to Isshinryu: eight empty-handed kata and three bo (staff) kata and two sai (forked weapon) kata. The eight empty-handed kata are named Seisan, Seiuchin, Naihanchi, Wansu, Chinto, Kusanku, Sunsu and Sanchin. The three bo kata are named Tokomeni no kun, Urashi no bo, and Bo shi shi no kun. The two sai kata are named Kusanku sai and Chatanyara no sai. Some branches of Isshinryu include other weapon kata in their syllabus, including tonfa (grinder handle) and nunchaku (flail). Some also include various other empty-handed kata. The current Okinawan head of Isshinryu is Shimabuku Kichiro, hereditary leader, son of Shimabuku Tatsuo. There are many Isshinryu organizations that exist independent of Okinawan control or leadership, each with its own separate leaders. yes






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