History of Taishinkido
From our Founder, Hanshi F. Joseph Barnes
I opened my first commercial dojo during the early 70's under the sanction of the American Karate Association. I taught a pure form of Isshin-ryu Karate.
As the years passed my thirst for knowledge did not diminish and I began to expand my personal training to include other forms of Karate and Gung Fu. I studied each style with an open mind. Over time I began to augment the training of a select group of students with techniques derived from my other studies. Within a very short period of time these students demonstrated renewed dedication to training and a dramatically increased level of proficiency. This teaching experience became the motivation behind the development of the Isshin-Shorin-Go Ryu/Tai Shin Ki Do Karate system.
The primary styles that contributed to the development of Isshin-Shorin-Go Ryu/Tai Shin Ki Do are Isshin ryu, Shorin ryu, Goyo ryu, Shaolin Gung Fu, Keijutsukai Aikido, Chi Kung, and Jujitsu. Other influence were: Tang soo do, Chinese Kempo, Cobra Kai Gung Fu, and Judo.
I began my martial arts training as a youth in Chicago, Illinois where I studied Judo through the Chicago Park District. My first Karate system was a form of Tang Soo Do called MooDoKwan. By the time I entered the military I had attained Black Belt proficiency in both systems. Shortly after beginning my military career, I was introduced to the Okinawan Isshin-ryu Karate system of Shimabuku, Tatsuo O'Sensei. I taught a pure form of GrandMaster Shimabuku's Isshin-ryu Karate until his death in 1975.
My military and competition travels put me in contact with many living martial arts legends and opened up opportunities and invitations to train and study with them. Through these experiences I gained my knowledge and training in live blade (bushido), Aikido, Jujitsu, and Shao lin Gung Fu.
For further information email barneshanshi@taishinkido.org.
I opened my first commercial dojo during the early 70's under the sanction of the American Karate Association. I taught a pure form of Isshin-ryu Karate.
As the years passed my thirst for knowledge did not diminish and I began to expand my personal training to include other forms of Karate and Gung Fu. I studied each style with an open mind. Over time I began to augment the training of a select group of students with techniques derived from my other studies. Within a very short period of time these students demonstrated renewed dedication to training and a dramatically increased level of proficiency. This teaching experience became the motivation behind the development of the Isshin-Shorin-Go Ryu/Tai Shin Ki Do Karate system.
The primary styles that contributed to the development of Isshin-Shorin-Go Ryu/Tai Shin Ki Do are Isshin ryu, Shorin ryu, Goyo ryu, Shaolin Gung Fu, Keijutsukai Aikido, Chi Kung, and Jujitsu. Other influence were: Tang soo do, Chinese Kempo, Cobra Kai Gung Fu, and Judo.
I began my martial arts training as a youth in Chicago, Illinois where I studied Judo through the Chicago Park District. My first Karate system was a form of Tang Soo Do called MooDoKwan. By the time I entered the military I had attained Black Belt proficiency in both systems. Shortly after beginning my military career, I was introduced to the Okinawan Isshin-ryu Karate system of Shimabuku, Tatsuo O'Sensei. I taught a pure form of GrandMaster Shimabuku's Isshin-ryu Karate until his death in 1975.
My military and competition travels put me in contact with many living martial arts legends and opened up opportunities and invitations to train and study with them. Through these experiences I gained my knowledge and training in live blade (bushido), Aikido, Jujitsu, and Shao lin Gung Fu.
For further information email barneshanshi@taishinkido.org.