Isshinryu - First Generation Students of Tatsuo-san

Blog Article/Post Caveat (Read First Please: Click the Link)

In general, what is attained by being and being allowed the status or title of first generation student of Tatsuo Shimabuku, creator of Isshinryu karate? I asked that question on a Facebook site dedicated to Isshinryu and Tatsuo-san. 

Question: what does it mean to each of you to have the designation of first generation student? In other words, other than bragging rights, what is it that makes this distinction so special to those who hold it? 

So far, not one has responded and I have to wonder why because it may be that no one knows other than it may give them some feeling of status special much like being the first born son in a family. So, I still wait for a possible answer. Hundreds of Marines during that time passed thorugh the Honbu dojo and I wonder why their names are not listed because Tatsuo-san's popularity in the special services machine means many, many more attended than the list provided by one first generation student. 

Q: "what is the significance of being a first generation student of Shimabuku Tatsuo Sensei?" 

1. Is it about the quality of the teachings?
2. Does it mean the student is imbued with some special quality, knowledge or understanding of the teachings? 
3. Does it imply they are special and received special attentive teaching of Tatsuo-san? 
4. Does it imply some special connection to Tatsuo-san as if family rather than merely a student? 
5. Does it mean the person has some special historical value as a practitioner of Isshinryu? 

Another question is in regard to this special group, first gen’s, as to whom decided the rules of membership and why those hundreds of Marines who took instruction over the many years of Tatsuo-san’s association through special services didn’t or don’t belong on that list. For instance, my Sensei a retired sgtmaj of Marines, who said once he spent a good deal of time training at the honbu dojo while Tatsuo-san sat and smoked while drinking tea many days is not on that list. 

Then I have to ask, as many state, Cisco actually did the majority of hands-on training of students while Tatsuo-san smoked and drank tea, why isn’t there a first-gen list with Cisco as the head since he is known to have been the main Isshinryu teacher/sensei of that time? Then there is also statements even from the first-gen’s that a lot of the practice and teaching was the person’s responsibility with assistance from their senpai, other Marines in the dojo. It just makes me wonder just how many actually had hands-on continuous instruction and training under tatsuo-san because my research, if accurate and factual, indicates that Tatsuo-san did a ton of observing while others did a ton of training, practice and teaching, i.e., senpai’s and Cisco. 

Update: I still have not seen, heard or read any responses to my questions on this special designation of first-generation student and what it conveys to that student and to those who envy that designation… One person did allude, by their questions in response to my questions, to pride but that seems incomplete because I have a ton of pride for learning and training with Henry sensei but not so much I vilify him or put him on this special pedestal of honor. Yet, for some unknown reason and don’t give me that crap “you had to be there to understand” as that is a cop out over answering the questions. 

Also, it has been posted - quals for first gen:

Qualifications for First Gen Student Status

1. trained under Tatsuo-san for minimum six continuous months;
2. graded and awarded brown belt;
3. Attended between 1956 to 1971; 

Note: those who attended tatsuo-san’s American visits don’t qualify because of item one above and those who traveled to Okinawa to train also will not qualify unless the meet requirements above especially no. 1. 

First-gen reminds me of the label given to a type of pushup bar, the chinkuchi pushup bar and that really didn’t resonate with what I know about the concept of chinkuchi as applied to practical application of karate methodologies in self-protection. that is the joy of such philosophies, none of them are wrong per-say and they inspire us to push forward and evolve. Now, that is a good thing no matter what you call it.

For reference and sources and professionals go here: Bibliography (Click the link)