The Okinawan Times on Shimabuku Tatsuo teaching the Marines

 

53 years ago today, this article was published in the Okinawan Times. Many talk about fighting, but what Shimabuku said about wishing his beloved homeland is better understood through karatedo, is the true essence. Okinawa=Karatedo. Article translated below.

 Translated by Joe Swift, originally posted Arcenio Advincula Sensei.

"From: OKINAWA TIMES, Saturday, April 30, 1960

 

Karate Boom among Soldiers -Several Already Have Dan-Ranking -Dream is to Open Dojo in Own Country
(Photo Caption: Foreigners learning Bojutsu from Shimabuku Shihan) [Note: See Historical Photo Folder

Gushikawa - There is a karate boom among the soldiers stationed in the central region [of Okinawa - JS]. There are 70-80 foreigners studying under Mr. Shimabuku Tatsuo, the instructor of the International Karatedo Headquarters, training hard with yells of "EI" and "YA". Some foreigners strike the makiwara until their fists bleed. Some jump up in the air and kick with their feet. Some wield the 6-foot staff skillfully. Some swing sai around. They train enthusiastically in the 330 square meter dojo.

According to Shimabuku Shihan, several foreigners received their teaching licenses from this dojo and opened their own dojo upon returning to their homeland. There are apparently over 30 karate dojo in the USA.

Sergeant Jake of the Marines is a military newspaper reporter originally from Hawaii, but his dream was to learn karate if he ever came to Okinawa. Now, he holds a Shodan rank, and plans to open a dojo upon his return to Hawaii. Sergeant Armstrong from the Kawasaki Camp holds a Nidan in Judo, and joined the karate dojo 10 months ago. He is presently studying the use of the bo and the sai.

Mr. Shimabuku, who is the founder of Isshinryu, evaluates his foreign students as follows:
"Their bodies are large and they are not as skillful as Okinawans, and their kata is not very good, but they are much more enthusiastic about the training than their Okinawan counterparts.

Perhaps due to the popularity of boxing in their country, their eyes and speed is very good, which helps to cover their weakness in kata. They are physically strong, and train an average of 2 hours a day, soaked in sweat."

Sergeant Frank, who comes every other day from Camp Hansen in Kin, has only been studying for 4 months now, but his future dream is to "receive my teaching license and open a dojo in my country. However, I would still like to
continue receiving instruction as a student of Sensei."

The foreigners affectionately call Mr. Shimabuku "Shensei."

Perhaps as a reflection of the karate boom among the Marines stationed in central Okinawa, several officers are also training at Mr. Shimabuku's dojo.

"Even if we cannot promote friendship between Okinawa and America through karate, my true hope is that if karate becomes popular in the USA and Hawaii, then Okinawa would also become more well understood," said Mr. Shimabuku."