Isshin Ryu Karate
By Kuseru
Entrance Requirements: No Attribute or Alignment restrictions.
Skill Cost: 9 Years (7 Years as a Secondary Martial Art Style).

Isshin Ryu Karate is an Okinawan style of Karate created by Shinkichi "Tatsuo" Shimabuku (1908-1975). Shinkichi Shimabuku learned karate from Chotoku Kyan an instructor of Shorin-Ryu and later from Chojun Miyagi of Goju Ryu Karate. He also studied under the tutelage of Choki Motobu (accredited as one of Okinawa's greatest fighters) and Taira Shinken (a leading kobujutsu instructor). During World War II, he lived with his family in Japan. He returned to Okinawa in 1947 and began teaching karate. It was also at this time, at the age of 39, that he took the name Tatsuo, "Dragon Man". The taking of a karate name is an Okinawan custom. In 1956, he introduced a new style of karate, which he named Isshin Ryu Karate. The words Isshin-Ryu, when translated from the Okinawan language, literally mean "One Heart Way," though since the word shin also means "mind", you will also see translations as "One Heart/Mind Way."

Isshin Ryu is a combination of some of the best facets of Okinawan karate styles. Weapon techniques, hand techniques, and foot techniques are equally stressed, so that a student learns to use all of the weapons at their disposal. The techniques of Isshin Ryu are epitomized by powerful, lightning-fast movements. Isshin Ryu delivers attacks from natural stances which limit wasted motion, maintain stability and give a split-second advantage over other styles. The "snap style" delivery of punches and kicks allow for the practitioner to move quickly, deliver more punches and kicks than their opponent as well as flowing smoothly into other techniques. The technique of punching used also allows flows smoothly into blocking techniques. The techniques of Isshin Ryu are often performed at close range, making them more practical than flashy moves. Weapon Techniques studied include the Bo, Sai, and Tonfa, with some attention being given to the Nunchaku and Kama.

Costume: White Karate Gi with a patch of the Emblem of Isshin Ryu. The emblem is called Mizu-gami or Me-gami and shows the sea goddess Magami, representing the serenity that a karateka should display, holding her left hand in a sign of peace and her right hand closed in a fist to represent strength against evil intentions. The churning sea and gray background represent a typhoon. The dragon ascending toward the three stars represents a sign of good luck and wisdom. The three stars are interpreted to represent several things, Among them Master Shimabuku's three formal teachers, the mental, physical, and spiritual aspects of Isshinryu and several others.
Stance: Feet shoulder-width apart, forward foot pointing slightly away from the body, rear foot pointing towards the rear. One arm tight against the waist, the other loosely extended, both hands clenched in fasts. Note that the fast is somewhat different, the fist is made by holding the hand open and then slowly curling the fingers from the most distal knuckle until a fist tight enough to completely hide the fingernails is made. Then the thumb is pressed down on the second knuckle of the index finger. This makes an extremely hard and tight fist.
CHARACTER BONUSES
Add +1 to P.S.
Add +1 to P.E.
Add +2 to P.P.
COMBAT SKILLS
Attacks per Melee: 3
Escape Moves: Maintain Balance, Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
Attack Moves: None.
Basic Defense Moves: Automatic Parry, Dodge, Parry.
Advanced Defense Moves: Combination Parry/Attack, Power Block/Parry.
Hand Attacks: Draw Hand (New!), Ridge Hand (New!), Uppercut, Vertical Fist (This is similar to a conventional punch, except the fist is held vertically instead of the usual horizontal position. Properly executed, the punch is launched from the side keeping the fist vertical the entire time. The elbow is kept close to the side and the shoulder is mostly quiet. The punch is applied to the main body in a whip-crack motion. At the completion of the punch the hand and arm are left in a position ready to punch or block again immediately with no wind up. This method allows for much faster punching techniques and has two possible methods of use. The character can fire two quick punches in succession, counting as one melee attack, or the character can use this punch as a Combination Strike/Parry).
Basic Foot Attacks: Kick Attack, Roundhouse Kick, Snap Kick, Tripping/Leg Hook.
Jumping Foot Attacks: None.
Special Attacks: Combination Strike/Parry, Death Strike (New!), Elbow.
Holds/Locks: None.
Weapon Kata (Pick One): W.P. Bo (Staff), W.P. Sai (Forked), W.P. Tonfa (Blunt).
Modifiers to Attacks: Critical Strike, Critical Strike from Behind, Knockout/Stun.
SKILLS INCLUDED IN TRAINING
Martial Art Powers: Select a total of TWO (2) Martial Art Powers from Among Martial Art Techniques and Special Kata. If desired, any number of Martial Art Powers can be traded, on a one-for-one basis, for Basic Skill Programs (excluding Physical).
Languages: Japanese
Cultural(Select Three): Bonsai, Calligraphy, Cooking, Dancing, Gardening, Go, Haiku, Ikebana, Play Musical Instrument, Sewing, or Singing.
Weapon Proficiencies: W.P. Bo (Staff), W.P. Kama (Axe), W.P. Nunchaku (Chain), W.P. Sai (Forked), W.P. Tonfa (Blunt).
Philosophical Training: None.
If this is your Primary Martial Art then the following other styles can be learned in a shorter time: Kobujutsu (2 Years), Tomari Te (3 Years).
LEVEL ADVANCEMENT BONUSES
1st: +2 to Strike, +1 to Maintain Balance, +1 to Parry, Critical Strike from Behind.
2nd: +1 to Parry/Dodge, +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact.
3rd: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Damage.
4th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Martial Art Techniques or Special Kata.
5th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Knockout/Stun on a Natural 19 or 20.
6th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Damage.
7th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Maintain Balance, +2 to Parry/Dodge.
8th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Martial Art Techniques or Special Kata.
9th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Damage.
10th: +1 to Roll with Punch/Fall/Impact, Critical Strike on a Natural 18, 19, or 20.
11th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Maintain Balance, +1 to Parry.
12th: Select One (1) Additional Martial Art Power from Martial Art Techniques or Special Kata.
13th: +1 to Strike, +1 to Maintain Balance, +1 to Parry.
14th: Death Strike on a Natural 20.
15th: +1 Attack per Melee, +1 to Damage.
Why Study Isshin Ryu Karate?
This style is a combination of some of the best facets of Okinawan karate styles. Weapon techniques, hand techniques, and foot techniques are equally stressed, so that a student learns to use all of the weapons at their disposal with powerful, lightning-fast movements.