Japanese Characters of Isshinryu

Isshinryu Karate-do was taught primarily to U.S. Marines

…while they were stationed on Okinawa and it was these same Marines who brought the style back to the United States.

It is known for its close-in fighting techniques, utilizing short, natural stances, snap punches and kicks, elbows, knees, and a vertical punch rather than a horizontal fist. Traditional weapons (Sai, Bo, and Tonfa) are also part of the curriculum.