Isa Kaishu

Isa Kaishū

Budōka (karate and kobujutsu), priest, classical entertainment artist

The Kinjō Ufuchiku-den Ryūkyū Kobujutsu of Kina Shōsei was handed down to Isa Kaishū as the 3^rd generation.

Since childhood Isa was brought up in an environment of martial affairs, with his grandfather’s stories about karate arousing his interest. In 1952, at the age of 11 years, he met Kina Shōsei and began learning from him.

Kina Shosei (l) and Isa Kaishu with weapons and certifate (Black Belt Nov 1982: 76)

Short Biography

• Born on Juni 10, 1941 in Okinawa City.
• May 1977: Graduated from the Shingon sect academy in its main temple Daigo-ji (in Fushimi, Kyōto prefecture).
• August 1952: Began his study with Kina Shōsei.
• November 1962: Began his study with Tokashiki Saburō.
• February 1966: Established the Shōrin-ryū Karate Kobudō Shūdōkan.
• May 1971: Received menkyo kaiden (certificate of full mastery) by his teacher Kina Shōsei, 2^nd Sōke of the Kinjō Ufuchiku-den Ryūkyū Kobujutsu.
• 

  Various weapons. (Black Belt Nov 1982: 77)

  July 1972: Awarded the title of renshi by the Zen Okinawa Karate Kobudō Rengōkai (Kina Shōsai also received the highest rank by the Zen Okinawa Karate Kobudō Rengōkai, around the age of 92).

• October 1975: Appointment as vice-president during the foundation of the Ufuchiku-den Ryūkyū Kobujutsu Hozonkai (president: his teacher Kina Shōsei).
• October 1976: Became heir to the Kinjō Ufuchiku-den Ryūkyū Kobujutsu as its 3^rd sōke.
• October 1980: Awarded the title of hanshi by his teacher Kina Shōsei.
• January 1981: Became president of the Ufuchiku-den Ryūkyū Kobujutsu Hozonkai.

Major functions

• 

  Isa Kaishu with Ueku (Black Belt Nov 1982: 78)

  Chief priest of the Henjō-ji (Temple of Enlightenment of the Whole World) on Sueyoshi hill.

• 3^rd sōke of the Kinjō Ufuchiku-den Ryūkyū Kobujutsu.
• President of the Ufuchiku-den Ryūkyū Kobujutsu Hozonkai.
• Director of the Shōrin-ryū Karate Kobudō Shūdōkan.
• Kyōshi and director of the board directors of the Ryūkyū Koten Buyō Tokashiki-ryū Shujuku no Kai, a school of classical Ryūkyūan dance.
• President of the Ryūkyū Shigeki Aikōkai, a club for aficionados of Ryūkyūan historical drama.

Favorite karate credo

Kyūdō Mugen  – The way of learning is infinite.

Entry of Isa’s school in the free Okinawa Yellow Page of 1999 (collection of the author).

Biblio:

• Okikuren 1993. Translation by the author.
• Okinawa Yellow Pages 1999.
• Black Belt, November 1982.

© 2015, Andreas Quast. All rights reserved.