Survival of Isshinryu

I feel strongly that the future of Isshinryu on Okinawa is questionable. The family assumed leadership is not adequate to carry the load of Isshinryu as a traditional martial art of Okinawa. I personally don't have respect for the current family leader. I do have respect for the accepted representative/leader of Isshinryu of Okinawa as indicated by the Okinawa Rengokai. The exact wording from the IOTKA web site is, "Uechi Sensei is a ranking member of the Okinawan Rengokai and is the leading Isshinryu representative for this Organization." 

In my mind if Isshinryu is going to survive in Okinawan karate communities it needs a respected, strong and knowledgable Isshinryu leader and that is going to be Tsuyoshi Uechi Sensei. I will write to the current family Isshinryu practitioner and remove myself from the roles of the IWKA if not already removed to inactive status. 

I also am not a big one for associations and I have been a member of the IWKA, the IIKA, the UIKA and the USMA (While stationed on Okinawa in 1979 I was also a member of OKRA, the Okinawa Karate Referee Association). I do want Isshinryu to thrive in its homeland so I would want to recommend to all Isshinryu'ists to move their memberships from other associations to the IOTKA or at least have a membership in tandem with other memberships if that is desired. 

Uechi Sensei has gotten the Rengokai to accept almost all the criteria for validation as a traditional Okinawan karate system except for one area, the rei. I have asked the IOTKA to provide a youtube video displaying the traditional rei of Okinawa for start/end kata, etc. so it may be presented to all Isshinryu practitioners regardless of affiliations so we can all be on-board and in balance with the traditional Okinawan culture and beliefs, as Tatsuo-san always worked to instill in his American students, when Tatsuo-san would tell those leaving to return to America. 

Take a moment and visit the web site and then support Uechi Sensei in obtaining and maintaining Okinawan Traditional Karate recognition/status. Even if asking for only general individual membership. A lifetime membership (Certificate, patch and membership card) is only $80.00. I would also add that the fees for the ranks certifications are far lower than other organizations.