"Isshin-ryu No Megami (Goddess of Isshin-ryu) framed with Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei bo cover he made"

Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei (September 19, 1908~May 30, 1975), founder Isshin-ryu Karate

Isshinkai

Kensho Tokumura and Arcenio Advincula Enbukai 2006

The Isshinkai Talk about Tatsuo while others' talk about themselves. ~ Tokumura Kensho, Co-founder of Isshinkai

The Isshinkai is (members are) dedicated to preserving the teachings of Isshin-ryu karate and kobudo's founder, Shimabuku Tatsuo. It was co-founded on Okinawa by Kensho Tokumura and Arcenio J. Advincula. Kensho Tokumura and Advincula both studied with Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei at the Honbu Agena dojo, in Gushikawa City, Okinawa in 1958. Originally the Isshinkai (Isshin-ryu Association) was a small group of informal Okinawans who had studied with Isshin-ryu karate's founder on Okinawa. Advincula was the only American member within that select group. They would get together to discuss the "old days" and their revered teacher.

Advincula then started his own Isshinkai organization based in Oceanside, California to continue the Isshinkai and allowed his own students to join. On Okinawa, most of the original Okinawan Isshinkai members have passed away because of their advanced age. Tokumura stated that the Isshinkai talk about Tatsuo, while others talk about themselves. Today, the Isshinkai is a Isshin-ryu Karate & Kobudo Association that strives to preserve the original teachings of Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei. The Isshinka's Chief Instructor is Arcenio J. Advincula. Sensei Advincula has more time than any other American training directly with Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei.The purpose of the Isshinkai, to preserve and honor the teachings of our founder to the best of our abilities. On April 15, 1999, Shinsho Shimabuku, the second son of the founder of Isshin-ryu, presented Advincula with his fathers bo cover. During the presentation, Shinsho explained, that his father kept the bo case under his pillow while he was on his death bed. "My father said to give this bo case to (either) Steve Armstrong, Arcenio Advincula or Don Nagle. It is good for your collection. It is Okinawan custom, when the sensei passes away, he passes (a personal item such as, bo case) on to the number one student, Shihan-dai. Tatsuo had the bo case under his pillow (on his death bed) and said to pass it on to the number one student who teaches. Tatsuo Sensei normally watches (monitors the dojo classes) and the senior student teaches. So it is the Okinawan custom to give (the bo cover) to the Shihan."

Isshinkai Board Members are members who have studied with Shimabuku and may still be practicing Isshin-ryu karate or for various reasons may have left Isshin-ryu and practice othe styles of martial arts but still have believe in the teachings of Shimabuku Tatsuo. Arcenio J. Advincula, Kensho Tokumura, Shinsho Shimabuku, Robert Safreed, William Steigner, and maybe others.

Isshinkai Certified Members are those who have tested under Advincula at the honbu dojo and are certified to teach. They will be issued a Shihan teaching license.

Isshinkai Associate Members are members who are directly under Advincula and follow his teaching.

Isshinkai Affiliated Members are Isshin-ryu practioners who support Isshinkai or Tomonokai events but are not directly under Advincula.

Katagwa Members are those members who follow Advincula but may be studying Hindiandi, escrima or other.

For those who want to add your name or dojo and affiliation or those interested in joining the Isshinkai, please send information to Cherry Douglas.

Isshinkai Board Members

Arcenio J. Advincula - Isshinkai Kyoshi Kancho

Kensho Tokumura - Hanshi Isshinkai Tomonokai Co-founder and Advisor	IN MEMORY AND HONOR OF MRS. UTO SHIMABUKU AND HER BELOVED SON CISO (SHINSHO). Mrs. Shimabuku passed away August 7, 2006. May they rest in peace.
Robert Safreed Kyoshi (8 Dan) Chairman	William Steigner Chairman

Isshinkai Honorary Members

Tsuyoshi Uechi - Okinawa


Isshinkai Special Members

Isshinkai Certified Members

(Listed in Alphabetical Order)

Robert Carona Kyoshi (Nanadan) Oceanside, CA
Alex Choo (Yondan) Calgary, Canada
Keith Craig Renshi (Godan) Oceanside, CA
David Knight Renshi (Godan) FT. Leavenworth, KS
Heather Zeigler Renshi (Godan) Greenwich, CT

Katagwa Members

Sam Dungca Renshi (6 Degree Black Belt) Escrima
William Zane Legg Renshi (Godan) Hindiandi Okinawa

Isshinkai Associate Members

(Listed in Alphabetical Order)