Simply from being in the right place in the right time and working my butt off at what I enjoyed (learning Isshinryu Karate from its founder Tatsuo Shimabuku), I am now called a "First Generation Student" amongst Isshinryu practitioners. I seem to be of some historical value.
An Isshinryu karateka from India, Jithu Nair, emailed some questions to me. Here are my answers. Thank you, Jithu.
Q.1? Can you please give us a little background about yourself.
Born in Georgia, USA, in 1938. U.S. Marines from 1957 – 1960. Worked my way through college (Georgia State University) and graduated with a B.A.. in Psychology in 1966. Graduated from University of Florida with a Ph.D. in Psychology in 1969.
Joined the Psychology Department, University of South Dakota where I was an Assistant and Associate Professor of graduate and undergraduate courses and researcher in nonverbal behavior, a Coordinator of the South Dakota Statistical Analysis Center, and a Research Associate with the Division of Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine until 1983. I taught Isshinryu in all three locations: Atlanta, Georgia, Gainesville, Florida, and Vermillion, South Dakota.
Moved to Arizona and became Executive Director and Clinical Director of a two county behavioral health clinic, then Program Manager and Chief Psychologist of a four-county Behavioral Health Agency. Moved to Flagstaff, Arizona as Program Director and Clinical Director of an outpatient behavioral health program. Then became Psychologist with Northern Arizona University’s Employee Assistance and Wellness Program.
I began teaching martial art principles and Qi Gung to the general public in 1970 and have since conducted hundreds of workshops locally, regionally, and internationally.
This is getting way too long. I am an author (Embodying Spirit: The Inner Work of the Warrior. Lincoln, NE: iUniverse, 2004) plus three other printed books and one online (The Adventures of Stagger Li), a hiker, a bicycle rider, and a geezer (retired dude with no schedule other than one of his own making).
I conduct a Warrior of Spirit training focusing on the application of martial art principles to daily life to all comers every Saturday here in Flagstaff.
Q.2? How did you come to Isshinryu?
My friend Clarence Ewing and I were Radio Telegraph Operators in the Marine Third Division. He asked me to hit him in the head with my fist. I said no. He insisted. I gave him my best shot. He blocked it in a way that made me not want to use my arm for a while. I said I want to learn. We went to Agena and he introduced me to Sensei Shimabuku who accepted me as a student. I was there at the dojo at every opportunity from then on.
Q.3? How much time did you spend in Okinawa with Shimabuku Sensei?
I worked out at the Agena Dojo from December, 1959 to mid-August, 1960. At times we were away on maneuvers. During those times, I kept training with the exercises Sensei taught plus the katas.
Q.4? Who were your co-practitioners in the Agena Dojo?
Clarence Ewing was my close training partner. I was aware of Steve Armstrong and others there but did not engage in sociality. I just kept working out.
Q.5? What makes Sensei Shimabuku better or differ from other Okinawan Masters?
I do not know other Okinawan Masters so I cannot compare. I do know that Sensei was tough, strong and agile. He had no hesitancy in correcting my stance or moves. When I did Sanchin, he would at times kick or strike with his fist different parts of my body to help my method. He put on no airs and had no hesitation at sharing his knowledge.
Q.6? Any unforgettable memories with Shimabuku Sensei?
He would keep a pot of tea on his porch (the room of his house that opened onto the dojo). He did not seem to mind sharing his hot tea. Sensei would sit on the floor of his porch at times and pound a nail into a board with his hand.
He called me Breed-deh, always uttering my name forcefully. One day while working out, Sensei suddenly appeared in front of me and said in strong voice: “Breed-deh, green belt no stay?” He awarded me green belt. I kept wearing a white belt because I was not interested in the rank. Just before I left Okinawa, he approached (I was still wearing white belt) and said: “Breed-deh! Black belt no stay?” I said no. He awarded me black belt. Sensei Shimabuku, Clarence Ewing and I went to a place in Agena and had our photos made. Sensei was sitting in a chair and Clarence and I were kneeling on each side of him. That made us of more equal height.
Q7? What kind of a man was Sensei Shimabuku?
Tough, strong, quiet, totally present. Agile. Unassuming. Proficient. Never condescending or degrading. Open and willing to share Isshinryu knowledge.
Q.8? Did you get a chance to teach Okinawans or U.S. Marines during your stay in Okinawa?
No. I would have thought it presumptuous with the Agena Dojo right there. Besides, I was too busy learning to teach. I did show moves to newly arrived Marines who came to the Dojo. We all helped each other out no matter our belt rank.
Q.9? Did you take part in any demonstration with Shimabuku Sensei?
We were doing a public demonstration of Isshinryu. I was on the stage or raised platform with all other dojo members, Okinawan and American. All of a sudden, Sensei shouted: “Breed-deh! Chinto!” I was taken aback but went out there in center stage and did it. I appreciated and still do appreciate his confidence in me.
Q.10? Did you ever met Master Shinken Taira?
No.
Q.11? Did you train in Martial arts other than Isshinryu?
Only after Isshinryu training. Back in the States, I met some Jujutsu men and their teacher who trained in Hawaii. We began working out together and I learned their many throws and choke holds. They in turn learned Isshinryu methods. We began teaching classes together.
Q.12? Did you met any First Generation student after you came back to USA?
I met Clarence Ewing again many years later. I am somewhat of a maverick and do not like organizations. I went on my own way.
Q.13? What about other first Generation Students?
No.
Q.14? Which is your favourite Kata?
Chinto and Sai.
Q.15? What do you think of Competitions?
If you want to, go ahead. I have always thought of what I learned as devastating moves to be used only in emergency. I do not compete. I care nothing for trophies and have no need to prove myself.
An Isshinryu karateka from India, Jithu Nair, emailed some questions to me. Here are my answers. Thank you, Jithu.
Q.1? Can you please give us a little background about yourself.
Born in Georgia, USA, in 1938. U.S. Marines from 1957 – 1960. Worked my way through college (Georgia State University) and graduated with a B.A.. in Psychology in 1966. Graduated from University of Florida with a Ph.D. in Psychology in 1969.
Joined the Psychology Department, University of South Dakota where I was an Assistant and Associate Professor of graduate and undergraduate courses and researcher in nonverbal behavior, a Coordinator of the South Dakota Statistical Analysis Center, and a Research Associate with the Division of Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine until 1983. I taught Isshinryu in all three locations: Atlanta, Georgia, Gainesville, Florida, and Vermillion, South Dakota.
Moved to Arizona and became Executive Director and Clinical Director of a two county behavioral health clinic, then Program Manager and Chief Psychologist of a four-county Behavioral Health Agency. Moved to Flagstaff, Arizona as Program Director and Clinical Director of an outpatient behavioral health program. Then became Psychologist with Northern Arizona University’s Employee Assistance and Wellness Program.
I began teaching martial art principles and Qi Gung to the general public in 1970 and have since conducted hundreds of workshops locally, regionally, and internationally.
This is getting way too long. I am an author (Embodying Spirit: The Inner Work of the Warrior. Lincoln, NE: iUniverse, 2004) plus three other printed books and one online (The Adventures of Stagger Li), a hiker, a bicycle rider, and a geezer (retired dude with no schedule other than one of his own making).
I conduct a Warrior of Spirit training focusing on the application of martial art principles to daily life to all comers every Saturday here in Flagstaff.
Q.2? How did you come to Isshinryu?
My friend Clarence Ewing and I were Radio Telegraph Operators in the Marine Third Division. He asked me to hit him in the head with my fist. I said no. He insisted. I gave him my best shot. He blocked it in a way that made me not want to use my arm for a while. I said I want to learn. We went to Agena and he introduced me to Sensei Shimabuku who accepted me as a student. I was there at the dojo at every opportunity from then on.
Q.3? How much time did you spend in Okinawa with Shimabuku Sensei?
I worked out at the Agena Dojo from December, 1959 to mid-August, 1960. At times we were away on maneuvers. During those times, I kept training with the exercises Sensei taught plus the katas.
Q.4? Who were your co-practitioners in the Agena Dojo?
Clarence Ewing was my close training partner. I was aware of Steve Armstrong and others there but did not engage in sociality. I just kept working out.
Q.5? What makes Sensei Shimabuku better or differ from other Okinawan Masters?
I do not know other Okinawan Masters so I cannot compare. I do know that Sensei was tough, strong and agile. He had no hesitancy in correcting my stance or moves. When I did Sanchin, he would at times kick or strike with his fist different parts of my body to help my method. He put on no airs and had no hesitation at sharing his knowledge.
Q.6? Any unforgettable memories with Shimabuku Sensei?
He would keep a pot of tea on his porch (the room of his house that opened onto the dojo). He did not seem to mind sharing his hot tea. Sensei would sit on the floor of his porch at times and pound a nail into a board with his hand.
He called me Breed-deh, always uttering my name forcefully. One day while working out, Sensei suddenly appeared in front of me and said in strong voice: “Breed-deh, green belt no stay?” He awarded me green belt. I kept wearing a white belt because I was not interested in the rank. Just before I left Okinawa, he approached (I was still wearing white belt) and said: “Breed-deh! Black belt no stay?” I said no. He awarded me black belt. Sensei Shimabuku, Clarence Ewing and I went to a place in Agena and had our photos made. Sensei was sitting in a chair and Clarence and I were kneeling on each side of him. That made us of more equal height.
Q7? What kind of a man was Sensei Shimabuku?
Tough, strong, quiet, totally present. Agile. Unassuming. Proficient. Never condescending or degrading. Open and willing to share Isshinryu knowledge.
Q.8? Did you get a chance to teach Okinawans or U.S. Marines during your stay in Okinawa?
No. I would have thought it presumptuous with the Agena Dojo right there. Besides, I was too busy learning to teach. I did show moves to newly arrived Marines who came to the Dojo. We all helped each other out no matter our belt rank.
Q.9? Did you take part in any demonstration with Shimabuku Sensei?
We were doing a public demonstration of Isshinryu. I was on the stage or raised platform with all other dojo members, Okinawan and American. All of a sudden, Sensei shouted: “Breed-deh! Chinto!” I was taken aback but went out there in center stage and did it. I appreciated and still do appreciate his confidence in me.
Q.10? Did you ever met Master Shinken Taira?
No.
Q.11? Did you train in Martial arts other than Isshinryu?
Only after Isshinryu training. Back in the States, I met some Jujutsu men and their teacher who trained in Hawaii. We began working out together and I learned their many throws and choke holds. They in turn learned Isshinryu methods. We began teaching classes together.
Q.12? Did you met any First Generation student after you came back to USA?
I met Clarence Ewing again many years later. I am somewhat of a maverick and do not like organizations. I went on my own way.
Q.13? What about other first Generation Students?
No.
Q.14? Which is your favourite Kata?
Chinto and Sai.
Q.15? What do you think of Competitions?
If you want to, go ahead. I have always thought of what I learned as devastating moves to be used only in emergency. I do not compete. I care nothing for trophies and have no need to prove myself.
