The Isshin Ryu Patch

The Mizu-Gami Patch is the Isshinryu Emblem. It is placed on the left front of your Gi, over your heart symbolizing the “one heart way”. The oval shape to the patch represents a Vertical Fist. The symbolism of the patch is explained as follows: Mizu-Gami is the Water Goddess – the equalizer; Water symbolizes purity, strength and goodness; Fire (Orange Ribbon) signifies evil, aggression and destruction.

Her hands are held in the traditional left hand down and open for "Peace", and right hand high and closed for "I’ll fight if I have to". The gray background and rough sea represents the on coming typhoon (hurricane). Mizu-Gami is calm as we should be when danger approaches. This helps us remember what to do.

The five stars represent Grandmaster Shimabuku and his 4 teachers: Master Choki Motobu - Sparring, Master Chotoku Kiyan - Shorin Ryu, Master Chojun Miyagi - Goju Ryu, and Master Taira Shinken – Weapons (Bo & Sai). In Okinawan Mythology, they believed that the Sea Serpent was born at the bottom of the Oceans, and when it matures, it rises into the heavens as a flying dragon; Much like how we start as White Belts and achieve our Black Belts.

Thanks for stopping by.
~ Michael

Basics Basics Basics

One thing I've noticed about Martial Arts is that they all share some common ideologies. When you break down any particular style, a block is still a block, a punch is still a punch and a kick is still a kick. The core concepts of all styles is balance through a strong foundation / stances (well maybe not drunken monkey) and protecting your center-line. Another technique shared by many Martial Arts is to throw your opponent off-balance.

For Isshin-Ryu Karate, the basics are found in the 15 upper and 15 lower body exercises.

UPPER BODY EXERCISES:

1. Right Foot Forward - Right Hand lunge punch to solar plexus 
2. Right Foot Forward - Right Hand lunge uppercut to bridge of nose or chin 
3. Left Foot Forward - Right Hand reverse punch to solar plexus 
4. Left Foot Forward - Right Hand reverse uppercut to bridge of nose or chin 
5. Right Foot Back - Left Hand upper block - Right Hand reverse punch to solar plexus
6. Right Foot Back - Left Hand middle block - Right Hand reverse punch to solar plexus 
7. Right Foot Back - Left Hand low block - Right Hand reverse punch to solar plexus 
8. Right Foot Back - Left Hand open hand upper block - Right Hand reverse uppercut 
9. Right Foot Back - Left Hand Low chop (shuto low) - Right Hand upper chop (shuto high)
10. Right Foot Back - Left Hand upper block - 5 punches 
11. Right Foot Back - Left Hand middle block - 5 punches 
12. Right Foot Back - Left Hand upper block - 5 punches 
13. Right Foot Back - Left Hand back-fist strike face - RH reverse punch to solar plexus 
14. Right Foot Back - Left Hand Middle palm heel block, Double round house punches 
15. Bear hug break (Right hip back hit groin, Left - elbow up / Right - elbow strike back)

Upper body exercises

LOWER BODY EXERCISES:

1. Palm heel to floor
2. Bending the back
3. Leg extensions
4. Wide squat leg stretch
5. Front snap kick
6. 45 degree blade kick
7. Cross over kick
8. Side kick
9. Side straight kick
10. Lean to the side front kick
11. Forward heel push kick
12.  Knee kick
13.  Back kick
14.  Body twists
15.  Breathing exercise
    

    

    Lower body exercises

     

Thanks for stopping by.
~ Michael

Sparring BOB - Body Opponent Bag Review

Tis' the season to... get new stuff to punch.

For Christmas, my wife was nice enough to purchase a Sparring BOB (Body Opponent Bag). For those who don't know a BOB is basically a full-sized, lifelike mannequin that you can practice on.

It's perfect for Martial Arts training where you can practice everything from sparring techniques to target training. From what I have seen online, Karate Joe's (same place where my wife picked mine up) seems to have the best price for this at $219.99. Expect to pay $30 to $100 or more for the same thing at other online Martial Arts sites.

Photo of The Sparring BOB (Body Opponent Bag)

I've only owned it for a couple days now and am already feeling like my hits are harder while also improving my stamina.

The body is made up of a pliable rubber that can stand up to really anything. An adjustable Wavemaster base that can be filled with either water or sand. I've read that it can weight in at around 270 lbs. once you fill it. I chose water to fill mine for now because, quite frankly, I have no idea where I can get sand during the winter.

A couple things to note: 

• Take care of the base and don't move the BOB much once you have it filled. We have a ton of generic Wavemaster punching bags at my karate dojo and we move them around almost every class. I have had a couple of the bases start to develop a slow leak over time. So just figure out where you want your BOB and leave it there.
• I heard that the newer BOBs have a more pliable plastic surface then the older models. If you are buying one of these used then keep that in mind.
• You can take the BOB top part off and use it separately for MMA training. Put 'him' on the ground and work on your punches, knees and elbow shots. BOB can handle it.

Finally, here's a great video I found of Boneco de Pancada giving BOB the business.


All in all, I would highly recommend picking a BOB up. It is a great way to train when you are not training at the dojo. If you are the proud owner of a BOB yourself then I encourage you to leave a comment below and share your thoughts of the product. I'd love to hear your opinions.

Thanks for stopping by.
~ Michael

Great Video of Kusanku No Sai Kata

Check out this video of Michael Calandra doing a great version of Kusanku No Sai Kata. I love at the end where he sticks the sai throw. You gotta' love YouTube. Let me know what you all think.

 

Thanks for stopping by.
~ Michael

The History of Isshin Ryu Karate

Isshin Ryu Karate was created by Grandmaster Tatsuo Shimabuku.Tatsuo was born on September 19th, 1908 in Okanawa, Japan. At the age of 12, Tatsuo began his martial arts training.

Around the time he was 23 years old, Tatsuo began training in Shorin Ryu under Chotoku Kyan. Shimabuku quickly became one of Chotoku's best students. It is here that Tatsuo learned Seisan, Naihanchi, Wansu, Chinto and Kusanku katas along with kobudo (weapon katas).Always fascinated by Goju Ryu, Shimabuku saught out it's founder, Chojun Miyagi. From Miyagi, Tatsuo learned Seiunchin and Sanchin katas.Around 1938, Tatsuo Shimabuku saught out Choki Motobu, another well-known Shorin Ryu instructor where he trained with for one year.

It wasn't until 1948 that Tatsuo Shimabuku opened his first dojo. He continued to study and develop his Shorin Ryu and Goju Ryu roots but felt that either style held the completeness he was looking for. It was during this time that his interest in weapons grew. He sought out one of the most renowned weapons instructors, Shinken Taira, where he learned Hama Higa no Tuifa, Shishi no Kun, Chatan Yara no Sai, and Urashi Bo. Shimabuku created Kyan Chotoku sai and Kusanku sai using sai techniques he learned from Chotoku Kyan.

However, this hybrid style of Shorin and Goju Ryu that Tatsuo was teaching had no name. 

One night in 1955, Shimabuku fell asleep and dreamed of the goddess Isshin Ryu no Megami (Goddess of Isshin Ryu). Three Stars appeared, symbolizing the three styles Isshin-ryu derived from, Goju-Ryu, Shorin-Ryu, and Kobudo. The stars may have also represented the Physical, Mental, and Spiritual strength needed for Isshin ryu. The gray evening sky symbolized serenity, and implied that karate was to be used only for self-defense. The next morning when Shimabuku awoke, he felt that his dream had been a divine revelation. He met with his top student, Eiko Kaneshi, and told him of his dream and his desire to break away from Okinawan tradition and start a new style of karate. The day was January 15, 1956. 

Upon announcing his decision to start a new style, many of his Okinawan students left, including his brother Eizo.

In 1955, the Third Marine Division of the United States Marine Corps was stationed on Okinawa, and the Marine Corps chose Shimabuku to provide instruction to Marines on the island. As a result of his instruction, Isshin Ryu was spread throughout the United States by returning Marines. The karate that the Marines brought back to dojos in the United States was a blend of what Shimabuku considered the best of the karate systems. Some of Shimabuku's most notable students were Don Nagle, Harold Mitchum, Steve Armstrong, George Breed and Harold Long.

Shimabuku made two trips to the United States to visit his top students in 1964 and 1966. During his 1966 trip, he visited Steve Armstrong in Tacoma, Washington, Harold Long in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Don Nagle in New Jersey. All three men were promoted to the rank of Hachi-Dan (Eighth Degree). Each of these men became a driving force in the promotion and spread of Isshin Ryu karate in the United States. 

Shimabuku was well known to not enjoy traveling far from home, and further visits representing him were conducted by his students, mainly Uezu Angi, who was his son-in-law.

Another important event took place during this trip. While visiting the dojo of Steve Armstrong, Shimabuku was filmed performing all 14 Isshin-ryu kata as well as some basic exercise and self defense techniques. Copies of this film were circulated among the top instructors. It is believed that Shimabuku did not want to be filmed, and that the recording does not represent a true expression of the various kata.

Shimabuku continued teaching at his dojo in Agena until his retirement in early 1972. He passed his legacy over to his son, Kichiro Shimabuku.

Thanks for stopping by.
~ Michael

Welcome

Welcome to my Isshin-Ryu Karate Do blog-site. My name is Michael Bielat and I have a black belt in Isshin-Ryu. I am 29 years old and reside in Buffalo, NY.

Mizu Gami - The Symbol of Isshin-Ryu Karate

My journey into Martial Arts started around 20 years ago when I was only 8. I advanced up to a green belt in Isshin-Ryu karate before quitting. Interestingly enough, during that hiatus I was probably more into Martial Arts then when I actually took classes. I did a whole lot of learning about all different styles of karate. After a year or so I begged and pleaded with my parents to send me back to karate. I attended a new Isshin-Ryu school founded by one of my old teachers. It was there that I earned my black belt in 2000. I was an instructor there for a good 4 years as well before taking yet another hiatus.

I was offered a paid internship in my field of study during my Junior year of college that I couldn't refuse. I then was hired right after graduation, got married and had some kids.

My son is now 4 and we have signed him up for karate at the same place that I trained and worked with my old instructor. It was just the motivation I needed to get back into it myself. Sure enough, I am back into karate more than ever before and have created this site to help others learn more about Isshin-Ryu Karate Do.

Thanks for stopping by.
~ Michael