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AOKA sending Thanks to our Veterans
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Don Nagle's AOKA Inc World Open Karate Championships
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Tatsuo Shimabuku
Tatsuo Shimabuku was born in Kyan [Chan] village, Okinawa, on September 19, 1908 and died May 30,
1975. Tatsuo Shimabuku began his own studies in Okinawa about 1916 at the age of eight,
and they continued with such noted Okinawan instructors as Chotoku Kyan (one of the
major instructors of Shorin-ryu), Chojun Miyagi (the founder of Goju Ryu karate),
Chokoi Motobu (another major Okinawan instructor in the Shorin tradition) and
Taira Shinken (a major instructor of kobudo - Okinawan Weapons). In 1955, the third U.S. Marine division was stationed on Okinawa,
and the Marine Corps chose Master Shimabuku to provide instruction to Marines on the island. As a result of his instruction,
Isshin-ryu was to be spread throughout the United States by Marines and returned home. The karate that the marines brought
back to the dojos in the United States was a blending of what Master Shimabuku thought to be the best of the karate systems.
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Don Nagle
Donald Hugh Nagle, was one of the original United States Marines, whose faith in and dedication to the concept of Soke Shimabuku's Isshin-ryu, would prove Tatsuo Shimabuku right and spread his fame across the world and his revolutionary style far and wide. Don Nagle became the symbol of Isshin-ryu and the essence of the style. His body, mind and spirit were to eventually move the concepts of Shimabuku to perfection. No one before him or after him so embodied the way of Isshin-ryu, the “One Heart.” He was not simply the embodiment of the totality of the concepts, he became Isshin-ryu.
He was never unmindful of what made Isshin-ryu so unique, every move he made, every technique he used was always within the boundaries of the spirit of Isshin-ryu, exemplifying perfection of the style. Eventually, this was recognized, not just by Soke Shimabuku, but acclaimed by the leaders of Isshin-ryu who stated that he was the greatest fighter that Isshin-ryu produced and declared him Grand Master of Isshin-ryu. That step helped to unite much of Isshin-ryu, throughout the United States and engendered friendship and relationships that have proved to be lasting and helpful in promoting Isshin-ryu. |
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Isshinryu Karate
Isshin-Ryu is a style of Okinawan karate founded by Shimabuku Tatsuo and named by him on 15 January 1956. Isshin-Ryu karate is largely a synthesis of Shorin-ryu karate, Goju-ryu karate, and Kobudo. The name means, literally, "one heart method." The style, while not very popular in Okinawa, spread to the United States via the Marines stationed on the island when they returned home, and has also spread to other countries. |
