is a style of Okinawan karate

Karate

is a martial art developed in the Ryukyu Islands in what is now Okinawa, Japan. It was developed from indigenous fighting methods called and Chinese kenpō. Karate is a striking art using punching, kicking, knee and elbow strikes, and open-handed techniques such as knife-hands. Grappling, locks,...

 founded by Tatsuo Shimabuku (島袋 龍夫)　and named by him on 15 January 1956. Isshin-Ryū karate is largely a synthesis of Shorin-ryū

Shorin-Ryu

is one of the major modern Okinawan martial arts. It was founded by Choshin Chibana in 1933. Shōrin-ryū combines elements of the traditional Okinawan fighting styles of Shuri-te.-History:Chosin Chibana was a top student of the great master of shuri-te, Anko Itosu...

 karate, Gojū-ryū karate, and kobudō

Okinawan kobudo

Okinawan kobudō is a Japanese term that can be translated as "old martial way of Okinawa"...

. The name means, literally, "one heart method". As of 1989 there are 336 branches of Isshin-ryū throughout the world, most of which are concentrated in the United States.

The system is summed up in its kata, or formal practice methods, and the specific techniques used to punch (vertical fist) and kick (snapping kicks).