Century Ironman 14 oz. Uniform Review

Back in 2000 I had my first Century Ironman 14 oz. Uniform, or 'gi', for numerous reasons. First, it just looks professional. Being an instructor (or 'sensei') at my school, it is important to look your best and be a good role-model for our students. This uniform is made of heavy weight cotton so it stands the tests of time while still looking sharp. Secondly, to say that it is rugged is an understatement. Each and every stitch is reinforced numerous times and can hold it's own after years or intense training and grappling.

Lastly, my kicks and punches never sounded better! Back to being an instructor. We are here to engage our students and show them perfect form and technique. What better way to hit home than with the snap of your uniform after each move you demonstrate? Back then, our school, or 'dojo', required the instructors to wear a black top and white bottoms which was perfect because the Ironman outfit comes in either black or white. There is also an option to buy the top and bottom separately but keep in mind that it does cost more to mix-and-match as opposed to buying the uniform as a set.

I bought a brand new black Ironman Uniform online from Karate Joe's a couple weeks ago because they had some of the best prices that I have seen for this style of gi. I think they beat any other site's prices by $50 USD or so. Not only that, it came with a really nice mesh bag that I now have my sparring gear in.

Now you may be asking wondering it handles during my training. The gi starts off very firm but begins to break-in after a couple weeks of wear yet still retains its snap. If you dry clean only like the instructions say then you can expect the blacks to stay true to the original color. Otherwise (like my old uniform) the color begins to bleed and thus fades the original color some. The biggest thing that struck me was the pants. The Ironman pants have a draw string which, when compared to the elastic waist bands, holds up so much better and feels so much more natural. I no longer have the waist band folding over on me or have that feeling like they are falling on me. That is the worst when sparring because if your pants are slipping then you are not able to do kicks as high as you want.

I personally have short legs. So like all my uniforms, I need to have my uniforms hemmed. But such is life...

All-in-all, this is a great uniform to own. It is quite an investment coming in at $100 so I would recommend this gi to adults who are a purple belt or above due to the more intense training and throws that begin to sneak into your curriculum. As mentioned before, if you are a karate instructor then high consider picking up this uniform!

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