Shiai

            The shiai is an important affair in the life of the dojo and the family within that dojo’ The shiai is attended by all the members of the Isshin-ryu karate schools and we often invite both distinguished guests and their students, to take part in this ceremony. The shiai is the quarterly test that all students and black belts must undergo to gain their next rank. Often however, many of the black belts will not be tested at every shiai, since they must have higher requirements for time in grade, than the kyus.

    The shiai will be an extended test of each students knowledge of Isshin-ryu karate including; the history of Isshin-ryu karate, all basic exercises, basic kicks, advanced kicks, ukime, self defense, ippon kumite, ju-kumite. However, unlike other tests that you may have of your shiais are joyous occasions, upon which you have a chance to shine in front of your family and friends. You will be told of the date of the shiai and the instructors will work with you on any weak spots you may have, to ensure that you stand the best chance for promotion. Never set limits on your abilities or the promise of your future. Isshin-ryu is here for you, it is yours to enjoy, as Master McGrath has often stated, “Isshinryu karate became a part of my life, a part which has given me some of the greatest thrills and enjoyment of my life. It has also given me great comfort in knowing that I could protect myself and my family. It has also given me many loyal and life long friends.

Tournament 

    In my opinion, the present state of tournaments is in disarray. They are often plagued by poor

judging, referring, lack of consistent rules, lack of strict application of published rules and even biased calls. However some tournament participation, either in kata or kumite contest is beneficial and aids your progress, while building character.

        The basis for tournaments was a natural extension of the inter-dojo challenges and matches of the 50’s and early 60’s. It was a broadening of the scope of available matches, making available a larger group of competitors and widening the challenge with the unlimited variety of styles against which you would match your karate. It alleviated the need to search for other styles and then travel to these dojos in order to gain experience in contesting different moves and stances. Eventually, these tournaments drew the best from all over the United States and the competition was usually fierce. As the number of tournaments grew, the system spread throughout the United States and spread into Canada and beyond, until today, tournaments have spread throughout the world. Simultaneously, the venues for the tournaments were upgraded, until we were fighting in places like Madison Square Garden , the Dome in Seattle , the New York World’s Fair, the L.A. Convention Center and the Atlanta Convention Center . The prizes for the various championships at a tournament, grew from medallions to trophies which got as large as seven feet and that was followed by prize money in the five figure category. Much of this came from the fact that many of the competitors became famous on the circuit and as in any other “sport” demanded up front money and expenses, in order to have them compete. Throughout the tournament growth, martial arts demonstrations were a standard part of the entertainment, so that both the audience and the competitors could view other fighting disciplines and measure them against what they were teaching and learning.

        For years these tournaments were popular and became a normal part of the income of their sponsors, usually karate men themselves. That was a healthy component of the martial arts scene, since many of the original Sensei's, such as Masters Nagle, Peter Urban and McGrath, taught their art simply to teach their students and to enjoy the experience. In fact, Sensei's such as these often lost money in the long run, since their students often could not pay tuition or travel expenses and the teachers would put up the money for them.

        Things changed over the next two decades, The expense of the tournaments became more than the promoters could spend and still make a decent profit, the entertainment began to take on a circus atmosphere, the competitors performances deteriorated as the competence of the teachers was lowered by promotion of undeserving students. When you put out a poor product, the audience or buyers disappear. Also, many of the original Sensei's stopped attending these tournaments, because they considered them to be an affront to the martial arts and no longer helpful.

        The 90’s saw a return to the smaller neighborhood, or single style tournaments, with strict adherence to a code of conduct in the matches. The rules and regulations that had evolved from the earliest tournaments, reached maturity in the mid-eighties, but with the return to smaller tournaments the rules began to vary and the refereeing became spotty, to the detriment of the newly rebuilding tournament scene. Most recently, Grand Master Ed McGrath has set up a set of clinics, to teach and coach possible candidates for referees and side judges, amongst the black belts of the Isshin-ryu AOKA  and affiliated groups, such as Al Smith’s Red Dragon group. This group will compile a workable set of rules and regulations, for tournament contests in kata and kumite, that will be clear, easily applied, fair, aware of possible contingencies and strictly adhered to by the promoters and contestants. Once in place, this should improve the quality of the AOKA and hopefully spread to other systems, with the principle benefits going to the competitors.

        Therefore, as  stated at the beginning of this section, the Isshin-ryu instructors at the Mr. McGrath’s dojo, will recommend a certain amount of tournament participation in traditional tourneys that the Sensei's will suggest. Believe it or not, you will actually enjoy the experience. While we will teach you to win, we will support you at the tournaments and win or lose you will add to your determination to excel in Isshin-ryu.

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