Mickey N. Fisher founded Shin-toshi more than 25 years ago, in 1963. This precedes Bruce Lee's development of Jeet Kun Do by six months. Mr. Fisher began his training in karate with the Korean Art of Tae Kwon Do. He received his first degree black belt from Jhoon Rhee. Mr. Rhee awarded Mr. Fisher his black belt despite the fact that his immediate instructor objected because he personally witnessed Mr. Fisher's skill.
Mr. Fisher was America's first teenage black belt. He first attained a first-degree black belt from Jhoon Rhee in 1962. Mr. Fisher continued his training in martial-arts with advanced degrees in Moo Duk Kwon, Kenpo and some other styles. Mr. Fisher's highest degree, a 9th Degree Black Belt, is in Shin-toshi Karate and Chung Do Kwan Take Kwon Do.
Art Institute
Mike Burke who was and is a student of Mr. Fisher's owns and operates the Utah Karate Institute in Northern Utah and is the second highest ranking martial artist in Shin-Toshi. He has attained the rank of 7th degree black belt. Mr. Burke has been teaching Karate for more than 20 years and oversees the International Shin-toshi federation with Mr. Fisher.
Shin-toshi karate takes the best of Tai Kwan-Do and Judo and combines them to create a very effective and very beautiful Martial Art. With Shin-toshi you learn very strong kicks similar to the Japanese and Chinese styles. This includes a strong front thrust kick as well as a powerful back kick, the most powerful kick in all of the Martial Arts. Other kicks learned in Shin-toshi are the front snap, spin, turn, side, jump front, jump spin, and the crescent kick.
There are many punches in Shin-toshi include the snapping fist, the palm heal strike, the Vertical punch, the front and rear elbow strike, the inside and outside hammer fist, the inside and outside chop. Special techniques and movements are applied to these punches to make them very effective when one has to defend themself.
Shin-toshi utilizes many blocks. A few of these blocks are the inward, outward, upward, downward, and shunt blocks. Since Shin-toshi is a defensive form of Karate, these blocks are important in responding to an attacker. Each of the blocks in Shin-toshi give you the opportunity to take the advantage over your opponent.
A big emphasis is given to folds and then striking and then folding back again which each kick and punch. This emphasis gives each strike its power.
The ranks in Shin-toshi go in the following order: white, yellow stripe, yellow, gold, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, and then the black belt.
The length of time to learn Shin-toshi averages, but is typically between 3-5 years. Learning Shin-toshi takes a lot of practice and is really for students who are dedicated to learning Shin-toshi. It has been proven that learning a Martial Art such as Shin-toshi increases self-esteem. For children who have an aggressive nature it has been shown to help them bring this aggression under control and helps them know when and when not to be aggressive.
Learn more about the Utah Karate Institute at http://www.karateshin-toshi.com. Mr. Burke is one of the best instructors for both children (approximately 8 yoa and older, ability to know left from right) and adults alike.
"Be like the thorn to the bush, ever ready to protect the rose, yet at peace and seeking no confrontation"
Shin-Toshi - Best Kept Martial Arts Secret