Alright - here is the breakdown as best as I can give it... *deep breath*
A) Isshin-Ryu is a young art. The founder, Tatsuo Shimabuku, still has students alive who took from him directly.
wls: True
B) There was a 3-way schism in the art. What I am about to say is rather inflamitory towards many "practioneers" of the form, but sadly after much research, I believe it to be true...
wls: please do more research. Attend an Advincula Sensei seminar a very
good source of Isshinryu history.
The schism went as follows: The first faction is the Eastern faction, then there is the western faction, then there is the traditionalist faction.
wls:may very well be more splits in the Eastern and Western factions.
The Eastern Faction is led presently by Kichiro Shimabuku, son of Tatsuo - the founder of the form. He is, as per what I have been told, no credit to the art. In the most recent records of legit martial arts styles, concerning Isshin-Ryu, it says only "Kichiro Shimabuku was too important and busy to comment on his art form to us." and that is all. Kichiro has been discribed to me by some who have met him as "...a round, self-important little man who is a dishonor to his father's memory." Upon taking over the art from his father, he incorporated MANY things which are completely contrary to the art and spirit of Isshin-Ryu.
wls: please an example of what he incorporated contrary to Isshinryu.
The Western Faction, is led by an Isshin-Ryu council. I will not drop names of people here, as it is dishonorable to speak ill of the deceased - but here is the breakdown of what happened with them. Two of Tatsuo's students left Japan as 1st Dans, and when their boats landed in America, they were suddenly 9th dans. They formed a council which confered the "official" title of 9th dan on them, then they turned around and, being 9th dans, confered the title of 8th dan on every member of the council. They affirm Kichiro as 10th dan, and their Master Shihan. Amazingly, within the last 40 years, more black belts have sprung up in "American Isshin-Ryu" than earth quakes in the history of Japan since its formation... Sadly, these are the majority.
wls: No council affirmed Shimabuku Kichiro as Shihan, He took over as was his
right as 1st son. His IWKA was formed before Shimabuku Tatsuo died.
much more research need here. Many were entrusted with Rokudan,
some put it on when they returned to the states some did not and waited
for the time frames in Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei AOKA.
The traditionalist faction follows what is called "Pure Isshin-Ryu" and are VERY rare to find. There is no 9th dan within this path. To be honest, rank means very little next to honor and integrity. This is the only path that adheres to Tatsuo Shimabuku's Christian (that's right, the founder was a protestant Christian) teachings that have been completely brushed under the rug by the mainstream in favor of his interest in metaphysics, fortune telling, and geomancy when he was young.
The highest rank in the traditionalist faction is 7th dan, and belongs to A.J. Advincula. He was given instruction on how to self-promote from his sensi (Tatsuo Shimabuku, the founder) when he left Japan to return to the U.S. He has not taken advantage of the right to do so, however, stating that "7th dan was the last rank confered upon me by my Sensi, and I can't see any honor in being any rank higher than what he gave me. I'd rather die a 7th dan confered by the founder than given the rank of 10th dan by anyone, anywhere." He said this in reply to the US Isshinryu's Council's offer to make him Shihan. He has refused this organization and all their appealing offeres many times.
The core of what Isshinryu is about is this: Practicle Defense that works. There aren't many pretty moves or cool looking Katas in Isshinryu. It is, at its heart and soul, Okinowan Streetfighting. Most martial arts, taken to a street fight, don't work out so well (unless they are very potent or the student is VERY dedicated). Isshinryu takes the most simple and quick practices from every art available and makes one art that is useful for defending your life and the lives of others. It is a hard/soft form, and defensive only. All offense springs from defense. Within the traditionalist path, there are only 8 generations. I am 7th generation, and can go back 7 steps and hit Tatsuo Shimabuku himself. The other two factions are up to, I think, 78th gen, or some craziness.
If you wish to take Isshinryu or study it, the rule of Caveat Impetor is in FULL effect. Be advised, MOST of what you find will be total crap. That said, I do know for a fact that a student who had taken Isshinryu for three months was jumped by a student of Akido who had taken for years. The Akido student wound up in the hospital three moves into the fight. Isshinryu is meant to shut down the enemy as quick as possible. The rule is "No fight should last more than two hits - three if you must first block." Within three hits, the enemy should be disabled, broken, in need of serious medical attention, or dead. Period. Before you learn ANYTHING, you are taught that for every move, every motion you learn, there can and will be eternal consequence.
wls: Dont know that Isshinryu is different than other Ryu in your above
statement.
If anyone wants more information on traditionalist Isshin-Ryu, I would be happy to answer all I can, or refer you to those who can.
We all know that there are false practioneers out there of whatever form we take - sadly, where Isshinryu is concerned, they are the majority. When once asked why he didn't set the record straight, Shihan Advincula said, "What's the point? The asses will still brae as they will, so let them brae, it doesn't change the truth you know."
As for where the thread belongs, it is a traditional Japanese style originating from Okinawa, and is easily traced back to a Japanese founder - but it is very young, so it may belong elsewhere.
wls: Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei was many thing in his life but above all else
he was Okinawan and if you could understand his Okinawan Culture,
you have a much better chance to understand his Isshinryu.
thank you
bill steigner
Jinbukai
I hope this has helped!
Ryan Brown