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It is not my goal to produce a definitive document on the real story but, more over to explain Isshin Ryu as explained to me from different first and second generation students as well as provide some of my own interpretations. I see lots of great web sites with a lot of similar information and Kani Sensei has no beef with anyone else but, I have trained with a number of people and they have all influenced me in various ways. Not good, not bad but, different.
We welcome all respectful comments that reflect your experiences in Isshin Ryu. It is not our goal to alienate fellow Isshin Ryu practitioners however different our paths may be.
Master Shimabukuro (as spelled on his tomb) was a different kind of man living in his era. He was a farmer and fortune teller. Many Okinawan men live a very simple life working as construction workers and/or growing sugar cane. They work hard and long. Standard work weeks are six days long, not five like we are used to.
Many years ago karate was very standardized. There were a couple styles or “Ryu’s”. It was not like here in the U.S. where you went solo and became “Soke.” You followed the program. Japan was and is still strict in regard to following many, government, social and ethnic rules. Shimabukuro Sensei was truly a pioneer. He had a vision that was bigger and outside the parameters of what was acceptable. Many people do not know that Okinawan Karate is controlled by the Rengokai. If you do not comply with the Rengokai, your Ryu doesn’t exist as a legitimate style.
We are members of the IOTKA and Kani is a student like many others. It is our only goal to be good students and attempt to comply and perform in at a standard set by our leaders: President Tsuyoshi Uechi, Co-Founder Karl Kazuo Hovey.
This is an introductory statement from Kani. I have lots more information to add, so checking in with us. We will add more information so hang in there. Thanks for visiting and let us know you were here.
Respectfully,
Nishimura, Kani