Isshinryu Stunted Growth

Why Isshinryu became "stunted" in its growth. It has become apparent to me, my theory, that Isshinryu as it is practiced today was stunted or hemmed in to its current practice because the Americans who carried it home did not truly remain under Tatsuo Sensei guidance to achieve that level of knowledge.

It also occurs to me that the dogma that one "MUST learn, practice and teach" Isshinryu "exactly" as it was taught by Tatsuo caused the factions to assume the rule as a unbreakable/unbendable rule or the operating system for each separate faction.

This came about by ignorance and the need to control. Another unwritten rule of a tribal system. Because this was instituted with no allowance for questioning or changing, control, the system in its many variations has remained stuck in "one" inflexible system. A system that does not allow, control, of anyone to achieve a true mastering of it by innovation and growth to a depth and breadth required of any martial system.

I have to express that this, for me and my view, is not what Tatsuo Sensei intended. I do believe he would be thrilled that so many are practicing it yet would be disappointed they are not going beyond the basics. Reminder, Tatsuo Sensei did not do Isshinryu the exact unchanging way but tended to practice a bit differently each time.

It also comes from the ken-po goku-i that change is inevitable and actually encouraged. I sense in my studies the Masters of yesteryear and the ancients of China, etc. also encouraged practitioners to stretch themselves and go further. If in our history mankind did NOT stretch in this manner we would still be slinging rocks and stones at wildlife for food and wearing nothing or animal skins.

I quote, "An unthrifty martial system reduced in size and vigor due to unfavorable and unintended conditions." It has remained simply because no one will see or hear that the symptoms are prevalent simply because there is nothing available, healthy, for comparison.

p.s. Oh, there is a saving grace to this, there are a few who got out there past the systems limits and actively and with dedication worked to find the "more" in the Isshinryu system. But, finding them is a bit of a pickle.