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One
Heart Way
On January 15, 1956,
Master Shimabuku officially announced the formation
of a new style of Karate, Isshinryu, meaning "One-Heart
Way." He chose this name because, according to Shimabuku,
"all things begin with One." Beginning in 1955,
Shimabuku began to instruct a number of U.S. Marines
in his front yard in Kyan Village.
Eiko Kaneshi, Tatsuo's right
hand man said: "Why Isshinryu, why such a funny
name?", and Shimabuku replied: "Because all things
begin with one".
* from A.J. Advincula Interview with Sensei Eiko
Kaneshi , December 24, 1984, on Okinawa
In February 1956, Don Nagle became the first American
of note to train with Master Shimabuku at his original
dojo. In 1957, Harold Long also began training with
Master Shimabuku in Kyan Village. In 1958, the dojo
was moved to Agena in order to be closer to the
military bases and Master Shimabuku secured a contract
with the U.S. Special Services to teach Karate to
the U.S. Marines for $250 each month.
In March 1958, Harold Mitchum began training at
the Agena Dojo. Mitchum later trained in Shorin-Ryu
with one of Shimabuku's top Okinawan students, Kinjo
Kinsoku. Arcenio J. Advincula also began training
in November 1958. He trained on Okinawa with Master
Shimabuku longer than any other American. He also
trained in other Okinawan Karate styles and Hindiandi
Gung Fu. Other Americans of note who trained with
Master Tatsuo Shimabuku while serving with the U.S.
Marines include Don Bohan, Sherman Harrill, Steve
Armstrong, Ralph Bove, Ed Johnson, and William Blond,
among others.
