Isshin-Ryu Philosophy

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         When Master Shimabuku was developing Isshin-Ryu Karate, he had a dream that seemed to expressin symbols what he was trying to accomplish with his system of karate. While interpretations of the symbols may vary, the interpretations listed beloware afirly standard:

Woman: A sea goddess, half serpent, named "Mizu-Gami," symbolizing the quietness a karate student should exhibit, but having the strength of a serpent if needed.

Left Hand Open: Sign of peace.

Right Hand Clenched: Represents strength if evil persists.

Dragon: The Dragon has forced himself above the troubles of life and the world into peace and quiet (symbolizing by the gray night sky) that we all seek through the kknowledgeof karate. Sign of good luck; that Isshin-Ryu Karate will prosper. Some people find significant the fact that Master Shimabuku's first name "Tatsuo" means "Dragon Boy".

Three Stars: May represent virtues, growth, or aspects of Isshin-Ryu Karate: physical, mental, spiritual; the three masters under whom Master Shimabuku studied; Shorin-Ryu and Goju-RyuKarate as the parents and Isshin-Ryu as the offspring.

The Gray Background: Represents calm and quiet nights--that karate is to be used for defense only.

The Writing: Spells "Isshin-Ryu Karate".

Troubled Water: Indicates a typhoon, danger that cannot be seen; the troubles of life, to be mastered through the discipline of karate training.

         In essence, the symbols are saying that you should avoid trouble if possible, and use karate only as a last resort for defense.

The Isshin-Ryu Code

  1. A person's heart is the same as Heaven and Earth.
  2. The Blood circulationg is similar to the Moon and Sun.
  3. Amanner of Drinking and Spitting is either hard or soft.
  4. A person's Unbalance is the same as weight.
  5. The body should be able to change Direction at any time.
  6. The time to strike is when opprotunity presentes itself.
  7. The eye must see in all directions.
  8. The ears must listen in all directions.
         The Code is subject to many interpretations. Within the Code lie some of the basic principles of the Isshin-Ryu System. It is hoped that the student will think through the various parts of the Code and apply the ideals to your own situations.

         The Isshin-Ryu Code rephrases (numbers refer to sections of the Code): (1) Be in harmony with all things so that (2) your movement (3) can be either blocking (hand) or deflecting (foot) (4) without the student being off-balance (5) so that he or she can change direction any time (6) and strike when the opportunity occurs (7) as the student looks and (8) listens in all directions.

Curtousy of Gary Peckham
To read the story of how Master Shimabuku invented the idea of the patch, click [Story]

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