I’ve been practicing Isshinryu for over 13 years. I went to Okinawa for a week to train with Master Uechi and Andy Sloane Sensei. Best week of my life.

Isshinryu was my first karate style and is quite deadly.. I remember learning to attack the attacking limb...

How many karatekas does it take to change a light bulb? Just one, but then all the rest stand around and say "That's not how MY sensei said to do it!"

Glad I was able to help you train with Uechi Sensei! Thanks for taking an interest in our style!

My first martial art learned from a marine as a dependent teenager on Guantanamo bay military base… you got a white belt and that’s it. We did stuff I could never see schools doing today like running 2 miles barefoot on 100 degree asphalt.. punching 5 gallon buckets of rocks.. isshin-ryu will always be my first love of martial arts.

Glad to see Isshin-ryu getting some appreciation!

I was an isshinryu karate leaner 21years ago. I've trained around 2years only and was forced to stop my training. Till now I am addicted to karate learning and your video motivated me to restart my training. Thanks sensai Jesse ..be humble and spread humbleness...

I am so happy to see you covering Isshinryu Karate in this episode. That is the style I train in, and I love it. It's rare to ever hear or find things about it but I love it!

It’s about time someone said “we attach too much pride in the belts we wear” beautifully put Sensei Jesse 😀

I heard Isshinryu and it grabbed my attention instantly. That style was the first exposure I had to martial arts as a kid. It's so different.

my father is a black belt in Isshinryu and he teaches me what he learned in Isshinryu, I train in American Kenpo and your videos really help me

as a sandan in isshin-ryu i can safely say this was the best video i've ever seen. my training has taught me that karate is a discipline where maintaining a white belt mentality, no matter how much you've learned, is the secret to long-term success.

I’ve been practicing Isshinryu for many years. The one aspect everyone struggles with is the vertical punch. It really can be a devastating blow if done correctly. Great video!

I’d love to see more from Isshin Ryu Karate if you ever go back to Okinawa!

I have watched all your videos and learned so much. As a Isshin ryu practitioner I absolutely loved this episode and it saddens me to hear Isshin ryu has been reduced to only 2 dojos left in Okinawa. But thank you for having an open mind to see this style, and showing the respect you did for it.

I’m a Sho-Dan in Isshinryu Karate! Going for my Ni-Dan in December and have been training in it for almost 10 years! Such a fantastic style!

I've been doing Isshinryu for 38 years - I loved this episode. Thanks Jesse, it was great watching you pratice it. Sharign this episode with all my students.

I LOVED THIS EPISODE!! 20 years ago I had a customer of my business who held a 5th Dan in Isshin Ryu. In the Marines he trained Isshin Ryu and wound up marrying his Masters daughter. He showed me all kinds of great techniques, especially pressure points for use in the clinch. Very unique style. Sad it is dying. I had no idea.

Hello Jesse, I am currently learning Isshinryu in NYC at a dojo called Traditional Okinawan Karate. If you are ever in Brooklyn,NY you are welcomed to stop by to learn some more techniques. Thank you for all of your hard work in bringing your teachings, adventures and life experiences to the masses. May the universe continue to guide your journey warrior !

I study isshinryu! Glad to see you practice this in this series!

I actually study the art of Isshin-ryu Karate. I have been in it for a few years now. A lot of the punches and blocks are different than other arts you may see like you mentioned. I love your content, I learn tons of new information from every video I watch of yours! Keep it up!

Isshin-ryu karate- do. That's what we use to call it in the mid 80's when I studied it. Being the only style of karate I practiced, I never knew it was so different. Almost 40 years since I've been active in it, I can still perform the basics. Trust me when I say they were big on the basics. They taught you to advance your techniques. Example-mid block with forward punch was a two part practice for beginners. Including your breathing and stance. Advanced, it was all done in one swift and powerful move. Wish I had studied longer the 3 Years. But teenage life got in the way..

“Once a kata has been learned, it must be practiced repeatedly until it can be applied in an emergency, for knowledge of just the sequence of a form in Karate is useless.” -Gichin Funakoshi

He Sensei Encamp, I wished I could train under you. I admire your open-mindness to other styles and your kindness. I love my school and my Sensei, but there is a hint of a Mcdojo.

I had to return to this video after watching the one about Motobu Choki. That one made me read up on Motobu and I learned that one of his students was none other than Tatsuo Shimabuku…the founder of Isshinryu.

What did Gichin Funakoshi say when asked, “what’s it like being the most respected karate practitioner?” He replied, “I don’t know, ask Jesse Enkamp”

Jesse is very respectworthy for keeping his humble beginner's mind while being highly accomplished in karate.

Isshin Ryu appears to make a lot of sense. Watch you Jesse has made me realise that there is no one true "great" karate style and that a complete karate practitioner is someone who who can adapt, change and learn new styles.

Really powerful ending lesson on humbleness. “A great man is always willing to be little.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson

Isshinryu is my favorite martial art. I haven't practiced in years, but I am glad to hear it is still being practiced.

Glad you experienced the vertical fist of Isshin Ryu. My master Angi Uazu has been an inspiration for the last 41 years of training. Thank you for sharing.

Been training isshinryu for 27 years. Appreciate this.

Thanks for your comments! 👍 Check out the other episode if you missed them: www.karatebyjesse.com/okinawa-karate-season-2/

Isshin-Ryū (一心流 Isshin-ryū) is a style of Okinawan karate founded by Tatsuo Shimabuku (島袋 龍夫) in 1956. Isshin-Ryū karate is largely a synthesis of Shorin-ryū karate, Gojū-ryū karate, and kobudō. The name means, literally, "one heart way" (as in "wholehearted" or "complete").

You're very lucky to train with some of the world's finest karate Masters in both the seasons of karate nerd in Okinawa...

it is like scratching my wounds when i see someone practicing karate in its birthplace okinawa ... according to me it may be every karate-kas dream to practice karate in its birthplace...n seriously when i saw u there practicing with old masters i feel myself there too as practicing karate in their dojo..BTW u r so lucky...keep growing Jesse Enkamp☺

Very good episode. Loved the white belt aproach. The power generation from the back and hips with the vertical fist îs similar to the wing chun way.

I think it is very inspiring how passionate you are about karate, and how much you know about it, for us karate nerds it’s a treasure to get to see and learn about all those styles and see all those places, for that thank you very much, I hope you keep on spreading all over the world the love for karate, your message have reach many of us! Thank you sensei!!!

Sometimes we have to think: “If I never graduate myself into a bigger degree, would I practice with the same energy and rage?” That is the right mindset to leave out the ego and do a humble work on your heart.

Love your video's and your insight and knowledge. I'm 69 and just started Goju-Ryu Karate last month, so when someone at your skill level is willing to wear a white belt I am profoundly humbled.

Loving Karate Nerd in Okinawa p.2. It's really cool to see new styles that aren't commonly practiced outside of Okinawa. You're really an inspiration, and a great example of a karate nerd.

I really love your Okinawa videos. I think, we in the West know way not enough about eastern cultures. Such honest documentaries as yours are valuable.

"A person who's truely humble will always have an inner call" ~ that sentence is something recognisable yet always hard to achieve.

I enjoyed this episode,for sure. As mentioned on another episode,I had studied this style for a couple of years…1990-92,in Tyler Texas. I was unaware at how this style was dwindling down. My time in the Navy,while stationed in Okinawa,sparked my interest in this style. We were taught that this style was a hybrid of Shorin Ryu and Goju Ryu. I am now studying Sil Lim Fut Ga Kuen. Thank you for these videos!!!!

And other interesting fact. In some goju-ryu schools, they punch with an external rotation on the elbow so they can hit like the tate-ken but with the punch in horizontal position.

Karate is a huge moutain like you said and at this episode we discovered an other way to the top with Isshin ryu

WOW it's not just a dojo, it's a genuine karate university! i love this! Also my brother studied Isshin Ryu Karate while I studied American Kenpo Karate. SALUTE

I cannot believe that you have had the ultimate honor to see the historical relics of the great Okinawan karate masters

Jesse, thank you very much for how you approached this crossing in Okinawa. When I watch your videos, it's as if I was traveling through the region myself. It is excellent to know schools that practically nobody knows, styles and it was very good to have known the monument and the cemetery with the history of the Chinese master and his cave. Regarding the belt, it seems more than correct, it is a way to respect those great teachers and to show that you are learning something new. As always, it is not a belt that shows what you know, but what you carry inside and how you apply it. I'm anxious to see the next chapter. Greetings from Argentina.

Thank you so much for this new season Jesse-san, it reminds me of my own trip there a couple of years ago ! :) According to a legend, there is cave where a Chinese "wako" (pirate) called "Chinto" was living after a shipwreck. He apparently taught many locals and also the famous "Bushi" Matsumura. Here is one of the many possible versions of the story : because Chinto was stealing food from the locals to survive (which of course didn't please the locals and the authorities at the time), they sent Matsumura Sokon. Indeed, this Chinese pirate was so skilled that no one could defeat him thanks to his awesome skills in Quanfa (another generic term for Kung Fu). His reputation became so great that the King of Okinawa sent Matsumura Sokon to defeat him and bring peace to the neighborhood. But despite all his attempt, the great warrior Matsumura could not find and defeat him... So instead he tried another approach and tried to befriend and protect Chinto instead. Mastumura soon realized how great a warrior the Chinese pirate (or merchant according to another version) was. So he learnt from him and would create a kata called.... "Chinto" to honor him and his skills ! Do you know if that would be the same cave by any chance ? (I know there are many caves in Okinawa so maybe that's just another cave for another great story). Glad you didn't meet any snake though ! (PS: I would love to get a poster from the Kaikan for my room as I probably won't make it to Okinawa before a long time :D)

Just discovered your channel. I study an American style of karate that descended from Isshin-Ryu so it’s really cool to learn about the history of Isshin-Ryu and see the techniques that I recognize in my own style.

Jesse, I've just discovered your channel this evening and I love it. I received my Shodan in Isshinryu when I was 15 (42 now), and was lucky enough to have teaching at my dojo be my high school job. I've recently started teaching my son some of the basic techniques and it's caused me to polish up my own practice. I found your video while searching for some Isshinryu references. I LOVE your enthusiasm and what you said about wearing your white belt because you're humbling yourself and trying to learn with an open mind. It was really interesting to hear you comment on the form of the fist and blocking with the two bones instead of one. I knew these were modifications Tatsuo Shimabuku made when he created Isshinryu, but they were what I was always taught. It was cool to hear you talk about those things. Did Master Uechi talk about why the thumb was on top of the fist? We were always taught the knuckle on your thumb was itself a weapon. One of my teachers, Sensei Michael Upchurch, used to show us thumb strikes on all kinds of pressure points that would make our limbs go numb for several seconds (yes, just like Daniel learns in the Cobra Kai series but less dramatic). Thanks so much for this. I'll definitely be watching more of your videos! Arigato gozaimasu!

No words to describe how beautiful it was !

This was great Jesse San! You are the Anthony Bourdain of Karate! I really appreciate how you bridge the culture, history, and stories into your work. This is truly worthy of being aired on CNN travel, Discovery, or NatGeo! Is it next Sunday yet? 😜

"A person who is truly humble, will always have an inner calm" this quote is one that I always keep in mind. Martial arts is so much more than fighting and becoming physically strong. I train in martial arts to gain inner strength and serenity. Thank you for your videos my friend

This is fascinating, I study and still Train in Isshinryu techniques, I always love talking to other people who took lessons as a kid in various styles and to see the shock on their faces when I tell them about training regime and what we were actually taught about combat let alone the days of Sparring in the early and mid 90's. Bo-sai katas at full speed with full Sai and War Bo good time's to be a kid.

Coffee is the only way to go! I love watching different styles of karate. You learn a lot. Thanks for your videos.

Well after watching this visiting Okinawa is now officially on my bucket list! Gotta work hard for it but it would be totally worth it!

Sensei Jesse, your videos are a true inspiration. The virtues you practice (i.e. wearing a white belt when training in other other dojos) exemplify humility. Something I am trying to instill in my students all the time. Nice to have another role model young martial artists can look up to. Karate Nerd in Okinawa has inspired me to pursue visiting and training in Okinawa some day! Thank you for all you do.

A person who is truly humble will always have an inner calm

Jesse thank you so much for highlighting Isshinryu in this episode, have been a practitioner of Isshinryu for over 50 years. It was great to see the basics being taught the way I was taught more than 50 yrs ago here in the states, fyi I know Andy he's a great Isshinryu Kara-te historian.

I love the white belt mentality when visiting a dojo. I'm also leaving this comment because I want one of those posters. :-)

Really enjoying this series. Being an ishin ryu practitioner , i really enjoyed this episode even more.

It's great to see someone who doesn't just love karate, but loves sharing his experience and vision of it! Thank you, Jesse!

OSU, The beginner's mind, and We begin with respect and end with respect. It's what I have taken with me and try to practice each and every day. Its is a way of life, and I'm grateful to Kaicho Nakamura for his teachings. Its is great to hear that you too offer the same good advice, and the humility whenever you share your experience. Osu

Never in my life I met someone who used a white belt while practicing a style that's not their own. It is something that even I never really gave a thought about. This is a very important lesson that I'll definetely pass on. Thank you very much.

I agree completely about attaching too much ego to the belt. I earned a Sandan years and years ago, but sadly life got in the way and I stopped training, gained a lot of weight back. Several months ago, however, I found an amazing little karate/jujitsu school and was more than happy to put a white belt on again and start over! I actually test for my yellow belt soon! There is nothing more exciting for a black belt than to set it aside and start over. Thank you for your videos! They are a great inspiration to me.

Isshin-Ryu Karate is the style I learned when I was a kid! The city I'm in now doesn't have any Isshinryu Karate dojos so I'm sad I can't go back to it here.

"It's not a good day to die alright" 🤣🤣😂😂 man so casually

The announcer at the beginning sounded like he was advertising a movie. “THE KARATE NERD “. XD

Jesse Enkamp, the man, the myth, the legend himself🙌🏾

Ahh isshinryu. ☺️ the wing chun of karate. This style is like fighting in a phone booth.

All styles of karate are good. It just depends who is practising it. Of course, if the karate nerd is doing it,it must be good, as he makes it look simple.🤣😋🥋

No carrot cake! 😱 Jesse-san you must always re-chomp the carrot cake with coffee! Great vid

Thank you for making this available for everyone on youtube ❤️

But seriously my friend I am very grateful to have found such a channel What you do is allowing others to experience beautiful cultures outside of their own that otherwise many of us would never have seen before and I really think that that is a blessing and gift.

I really don’t think coffee is supposed to taste like sardines

yessssss

I have been studying and teaching Isshinryu since July 19th 1965. I think what you are doing with your traveling and sharing all the info with us is fantastic and I am a Karate Nerd. I will be 82 years old in March Thank you so much. Ed

This is incredible! Thanks Jesse for living the dream and sharing your journey with us.

*Best comment... JK Jesse. Love your content man. Keep it going, absolute the best karate channel on youtube 👊

I'm going to look up Isshin-ryu, the vertical fist has struck my interest. Thanks for another great video, my son and I are eagerly waiting more.

We attached too much ego and pride in the belts we wear.. So well said. Your humbleness is precious attitude to things we do and learn.

Jesse-San, your humility and humbleness for me, is the biggest lesson to be taken from your latest episode! Keep making the videos!

Please tell me that was chinto cave, my sensei told me about when he traveled there.

Been practicing karate for 10 years and I m always able to relate my karate practice to your videos. I love the episodes and watching at it I feel like I'm there at that time practicing it. I'm 19 and I also have 3 students and I recommend them to watch your videos. Waiting for the 3rd episode. Oss!

I really appreciate the fact that you go into every new dojo wearing a white belt. Always learning, always with an open beginner's mindset.

Okinawa is definitely on my bucket list -- Can't wait for the next episode!

I have been practicing Isshin-Ryu karate for many years and actually recently earned my 1st dan. It’s a really beautiful style and it takes a lot of work to learn. It also took me a while to get the vertical fist too lol. I also agree with your comment about how you should wear a white belt to a new dojo out of respect because I have seen black belts from other styles come in with their ego at max and that annoys me. They should come in to be willing to learn what we do and be humble and respectful about it.

I have no clue what to comment but I like coffee I guess 😂😂

Great show brings back memories trained there in 64, 65, and 67.

A boost for a lazy Sunday... Sundays will never be the same again.... Roll on the next episode

I've known of backwards kata to improve learning, but backwards bike riding? 😂

I used to be an adventurer like you, then I took a sidekick to the knee... I’m a disgrace😂

Thank you so much, Jesse, for allowing us the opportunity to experience this journey with you. It is my dream to one day visit Okinawa to experience this amazing place like you have. I look forward to all of your videos because I learn so much from them and they all have helped me in my own karate journey. I just recently received my 1st Dan in Shaolin Ji-Ken Do, but unfortunately soon after, our dojo had to close down. It has been tough, but I still try to train as much as I can on my own because karate has become such an important part of my life. So thank you for all you show us in your videos and for always being willing to share with us new ideas, techniques, and lessons. Arigatou gozaimasu! OSU!

So great to see the new training center.

Sensei Enkamp, thank you for being an ambassador for Karate, you have brought the ancient ways of the empty hand back to the light of the present creating a huge momentum and in some cases like mine re-invigorating the spirit of the empty hand!

There are very few places I want to visit for sure, but Japan (main land) and Okinawa are definitely on the list. There is such a deep culture and amazing nuances to discover. Thank you, Sensei, for taking us along a trip that many of us may never be able to go on. It is not only an amazing series you've put together, but also a great service to us as karateka to see the roots of our traditions.

Very impressive they culminated centuries of development and evolution in a single location, honouring the whole, instead of the separate parts. Also impressive that you can tell us all of this by heart! A true Karate Nerd Xperience online!

Another awesome episode!!❤️