Tatsuo Shimabuku

Sensei / Founder

Okinawan karate grandmaster and founder of the renowned Isshin-ryu Karate style (1956).

Quick Facts

Date of Birth9/19/1908

Date of Death5/30/1975

Era20th century

Country of OriginOkinawa (Japan)

Rank / Title10th Dan Isshin-ryu Karate

Active Years1930–1975

Biography

Tatsuo Shimabuku studied Shorin-ryu, Goju-ryu, and Kobudo under Okinawa's master triumvirate. In 1956 he founded Isshin-ryu, famed for vertical fist punches and snap kicks.

Associated Martial Arts

Isshin-ryu KarateFounder→

An Okinawan style founded in 1956 by Tatsuo Shimabuku. It is known for the vertical fist with the thumb on top and for blocks made with muscle, not forearm bone.