Isshin-Ryu Code

  1. The time to strike is when the opportunity presents itself.
  2. The eyes must see in all directions.
  3. The ear must hear in all directions.
  4. The body should be able to change direction at any time.
  5. The person's heart is the same as heaven and earth.
  6. Person's unbalance is the same as weight.
  7. The blood circulating is similar to the sun and the moon.
  8. Manner of drinking and spitting can be either hard or soft.

12 Major Features of Isshin-Ryu

  1. Elimination of "fancy" techniques.
  2. Combines the best of Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu to form a realistic, basic system of self defense.
  3. Kicks thrown below the waist (for power and balance) and hand techniques thrown aboce the waist.
  4. The use of short, natural stances, which allow better mobility, eliminate wasted motion along with major shifts in the body, and are more adaptable to the American physique.
  5. Balance of hand and foot techniques in the Katas.
  6. Close-in techniques, which are valuable for street fighting.
  7. The application of "snap" punches and kicks where the arm or leg is only 90% extended. This allows for quickness when moving in and out on an opponent and serves to reduce injuries associated with over extending joints.
  8. The combination of hard and soft blocking.
  9. Blocks are excecuted with the muscular part of the forearm, thereby, avoiding injury from bone to bone contact.
  10. A fist made with the thumb on top of the fist as opposed to the thumb being over the two fingers. Such a position, with the thumb on top, locks the wrist and seves to tighten the fist.
  11. A vertical punch, which increases speed and power.
  12. Multiple-purpose techniques, which allow a block to become a blow and a blow to serve as a block.

Oath of Isshin-Ryu

I will use my knowledge and skill in Isshin-Ryu Karate only to defend and protect against aggression, and to the end that reason may prevail, the law be upheld, and justice triumph.

Creed of Karate

I come to you only with my empty hands. I have no weapons, but should I be forced to defend myself, my principles, or my honor, should it be a matter of life or death, right or wrong, then here are my weapons, my empty hands.

8 Empty hand Kata

  1. Seisan (Shorin-Ryu)
  2. Seiuchian (Goju-Ryu)
  3. Naihanchin (Shorin-Ryu)
  4. Wansu (Shorin-Ryu)
  5. Chinto (Shorin-Ryu)
  6. Kusan Ku (Shorin-Ryu)
  7. Sun Su (Isshin-Ryu)
  8. Sanchin

5 Weapons Kata

Bo Kata (staff):
  • Tokumeni Bo
  • Urashi Bo
  • Shi Shi No Kun Bo
Sai Kata:
  • Kusan Ku Sai
  • Chatan Yara Sai
Tonfa:
  • Homaheiga Tuifa
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