Isshinryu - On One Hand Karate, on the Other Hand Kobudo

Shimabuku Tatsuo, founder of Isshinryu, incorporated a number of kobudo kata in his instruction.


From Kyan Sensei he taught a version of Tokomeni No Kon as did many other of Kyan’s students.  


In the late 50’s or early 60’s he was training with Taira Shinken and incorporated that training in his instruction.


In the 1950’s he was teaching a Kyan No Sai, but was later discontinued when he incorporated some of those movements into his Kusanku Sai kata.  Whether this was his idea, or Taira’s suggestion (as Taira was know to suggest instructors adapt weapons to empty hand kata they knew) isn’t recorded.


Isshinryu’s kata for Bo, Sai and Tonfa are, in my opinion, and adjunct to it training, for strength or power development and not intended to be a complete system of kobudo.  The format of instruction seems to follow Taira’s, especially as simply a study of kobudo kata, and not drilling in the basics.  The karate ka simply jumps into advanced kobudo kata, with no real preparatory steps, drills, simpler kata, etc.


Shimabuku Sensei didn’t necessarily train extensively with Taira. He also drew some negative reaction from other Okinawan’s who were unhappy he was teaching those kobudo kata almost as fast as he learnt it himself. Surely a valid criticism if true, and respecting the source of that information, I suspect it was.


Our esteemed Joe Swift has a much more complete description of Isshinryu’s Kobudo Kata on his web site.


Most American students didn’t study much kobudo on their tour in Okinawa. In the late 50’s the later Bo, Sai and Tonfa kata were not studied, and depending on the amount of time often the student didn’t even cover what was available, either.


The two person bo kata, taught later in Isshinryu were actually developed by several American Marines (again as I understand it).


I believe most of the transmission of these kata to the USA, came from some of those students sharing with their own students and Americans, and the movie of Isshinryu kata made by Shimabuku Sensei in 1966.


With such origins it is not difficult to understand why Isshinryu empty hand technique forms the basis of much of the motion being performed today. The larger transmission wasn’t available, nor known.


I believe this is the source of much confusion within Isshinryu today regarding its Kobudo.


The kobudo kata of Isshinryu are fine for technique, skill and power development.  Imo, without a great deal of other work, they don’t become a complete kobudo system.


Now I don’t see that as a problem. As you’ve been discussing, Bo, Sai, Tonfa (or even the Kama I run) are weapons of antiquity. The Chinese stylists on the whole don’t use real weapons, having invented gun powder, most of them aren’t concerned to actually engage in sword fights.  Reportedly Usheiba gave up the martial intent of his developing Aikido after realization Atomic Bombs are the ultimate martial power.


The study of short weapons such as stick, serve intelligently for reality self defense, to develop the ability to find a way to use anything (including our hands) for self defense.


My own studies in Isshinryu, my instructors studies on Okinawa, and the many martial artists I’ve trained with make me realize each weapon is a martial system in its own right. To become expert with Bo takes not one whit less time and energy than karate, and each other weapon system requires the same dedication.


Of course the kobudo kata have equally vast application potential, both for weapons and empty hand uses of their movement.


Those of you who can follow more complete kobudo traditions certainly are challenged to find time to follow such complex paths.


Victor Smith
Bushi No Te Isshinryu