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Sensei Arcenio J. Advincula (AJA)
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Arcenio J. Advincula
started his training in the martial arts in 1946
at the age of eight. He was small and according
to him, being of mixed ethnic background (Filipino
and Caucasian) he "looked different" from the rest
of his classmates in Alaska. Needless to say, he
was a target of the bullies. On one occasion after
school, he was jumped by a group of bullies who
took a brand new cap and jacket that his father
just bought for him. When he returned home and told
his father about the incident, his father went to
the home of the bullies and retrieved the clothes.
Soon after, his father hired some friends, who were
hand-to-hand combat instructors for the Philippine
Army, to train Advincula in escrima and combat judo.
Thus began his lifelong love, respect and commitment
to the martial arts.
In late November, 1958, on his first tour of duty
on Okinawa as a United States Marine, he began his
study of Isshin-ryu. When he was checking in, he
saw a sign that announced free Judo classes. He
asked his NCOIC about the class and his NCOIC, who
was a green belt in Isshin-ryu told Advincula about
Isshin-ryu and training under Tatsuo Shimabuku.
On his first liberty, the NCOIC took him straight
to the Agena dojo to meet and study Isshin-ryu from
its founder, Master Tatsuo Shimabuku. The date was
December 1, 1958 and in the forty years since, a
part of each and every day involves some aspect
of the martial arts. He is either training by himself,
teaching or conducting workshops and seminars all
over the United States and Canada, writing articles,
studying the history of Okinawa or martial arts
in general, or answering a million questions on
the phone or over the internet from students like
me.
Advincula makes yearly
trips to Okinawa for several reasons. He researches
and studies karate and kobudo on the island and
keeps in touch with Tatsuo's wife, Mrs. Shimabuku
and Shinsho his second son. Advincula also conducts
Okinawan Cultural Martial Arts Tours and since 1994
has had four of them. He plans for a fifth tour
in April 1999. Another reason for his trips to Okinawa
is to visit his in-laws. He has been married to
Michie Nakamashi since January 23, 1961.
Isshin-ryu and the
martial arts are lucky to have Arcenio J. Advincula
as an ambassador. For fifty-three years he has been
studying, training and teaching in
escrima,
combat judo, kobudo,
goju-ryu,
shorin-ryu,
uechi-ryu,
hindiandi gung fu, just to name a few. December
1, 1998 marked his 40th anniversary studying and
teaching Isshin-ryu karate. He continues to learn
and he doesn't close his mind to change. He strives
to keep the Isshin-ryu tradition and
Tatsuo Shimabuku alive in our hearts.
I think he does a
good job. Thank you Sensei.
