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Welcome to Kuro-Obi Dojo

Welcome to your online Isshinryu Karate resource! Master Stephen Lage began his training in Isshinryu Karate in 1982 in the Detroit suburb of Warren, Michigan. For an in-depth martial arts resume, click on Master Stephen Lage.

There are a vast number of methods of martial arts, all of which are good. Each method is derived from their region of origin. For example, Kung Fu was developed in China. Tae Kwon Do was developed in Korea. Judo was developed in Japan. The martial art of Karate was developed in Okinawa. The word "Karate" translates to "Empty Hand."

In the method of Karate, there are many different styles. The style of Isshinryu was officially introduced in 1956, by Master Tatsuo Shimabuku. There is nothing flashy about Isshinryu Karate. It utilizes straight forward, but devastating Self-Defense techniques designed to be performed under real-life conditions from natural stances.

With continued training and dedication, you have the potential to build your confidence, awareness, and discipline to be able to protect yourself, as well as transforming yourself into a better, well-rounded individual.


Kuro-Obi

Each Belt Test that you will go through on your martial arts journey gets progressively more difficult with the amount of knowledge and skill needed to pass. Each test puts you one step closer to achieving your goal of Black Belt – Kuro-Obi. For the Karate-ka (Student of Karate), the Black Belt test is considered the most challenging, difficult and exhausting of all tests. To pass this test, you must demonstrate the physical techniques necessary, plus the knowledge of Karate history, traditions, past masters of the arts, creeds, codes, and so much more. With determination and perseverance, you can build your mind and body to the point where you can demonstrate these qualities with very nice proficiency and earn the rank of Black Belt.

But somewhere along your journey, hopefully you go through a transformation where you realize that there is more to what you are doing than a pretty Kata, scoring some quick points in Kumite, and reading all of the handouts, manuals and books. The dedication, passion, and desire to attain perfection in the techniques you learn gets applied to how you live your life. Everything you do is looked at with that same dedication, passion and desire for perfection. You begin to hold yourself to a higher standard. You strive to do the right thing, ALWAYS. Not just when other people are watching. With that, you BECOME a Black Belt.

You can EARN your Black Belt, something you will have every right to be proud of. But only you will know if you have BECOME a Black Belt.



Isshinryu Karate Classes

Classes for Adults (ages 12 and up), Little Dragons (ages 7-12), and Mini Dragons (ages 5-7) are currently held at the YMCA of Greater Michiana. Even though the classes are an ongoing, continuous program, the YMCA offers a session-by-session rate, correlating to the seasons of the year. Beginning students should sign up at the beginning of a session. Advanced students continue to register for the advanced class each session. Please contact the YMCA of Greater Michiana for the exact session schedule (start dates, session length, pricing).


The YMCA of Greater Michiana | 3665 Hollywood Road | St. Joseph, MI 49085 | 269-428-YMCA (9622) | ymcagm.org


Seminars

Master Stephen Lage offers Self-Defense Seminars for Women, Schools and Businesses, Weapons Techniques as well as Private Lessons.





Not only does Master Lage offer Seminars, he also attends them to further broaden his knowledge.



Master Stephen Lage

Stephen Lage began his training in Isshinryu Karate in 1982 in the Detroit suburb of Warren, MI. Throughout his training, Lage diligently honed and excelled not only at the requirements for each rank, but many advanced techniques, realistic street Self-Defense, and tournament competition, as well as Karate history and Okinawan traditions.

Lage attained the rank of Sho Dan (1st Degree Black Belt) in 1989. He began teaching classes in 1996. In 2008, he moved to St. Joseph, Michigan, where he established adult and children's classes at the local YMCA as well as Self-Sefense seminars both at the Y and local businesses and groups. In 2023, he was promoted to Roku Dan (6th Degree Black Belt - Master Rank).

Throughout his martial arts career, he has met and/or trained with Isshinryu notables including Angi Uezu (Son-in-law of the founder of Isshinryu Karate), Steve Armstrong (1st Generation student of the founder of Isshinryu Karate), Ken Pittaway, Robert White, Toby Cooling, John Hoffmire, John Devine, Norbert Donnelly, William Pogue, and Albert Mady. Outside of Isshinryu, he has had the opportunity to study with Peter Carbone, Brian "Buzz" Smith (Kuntaw, a Phillipino art with a focus on weapons and stick fighting), and John Hutchcroft (Seito Shorin-Ryu).

His class curriculum includes refining basics, cardio/bag drills, advanced/alternate Self-Defense techniques, Kata, Bunkai, body conditioning, outdoor, beach, and snow workouts, etc.

Recent Tournament Experience:
1st Place, Senior Black Belt Forms: Great Lakes All-Star Open Karate Championships; Grand Rapids, MI (October 2012)
2nd Place, Senior Black Belt Forms; 3rd Place, Black Belt Forms: 40th Annual Grand Rapids Open; Grand Rapids, MI (March 2013)
4th Place, Senior Black Belt Forms: Western Michigan Karate Championships; Holland, MI (April 2013)
1st Place, Senior Black Belt Forms; 2nd Place, Black Belt Forms: Mid Summer Madness Open; Grand Rapids, MI (July 2013)
1st Place, Senior Black Belt Forms: 41st Annual Grand Rapids Open Tournament; Grand Rapids, MI (March 2014)
4th Place, 35 & Over Black Belt Traditional Forms: 9th Annual Metro Detroit Open Karate Tournament; Canton, MI (May 2014)
1st Place, Senior Black Belt Forms: Western Michigan Karate Championships; Holland, MI (May 2015)
Gold Medal, Senior Black Belt Forms: Meijer State Games of Michigan (Winter Games); Grand Rapids, MI (February 2016)
Gold Medal, Senior Black Belt Forms: Meijer State Games of Michigan (Winter Games); Grand Rapids, MI (February 2017)
Gold Medal, Senior Black Belt Forms: Meijer State Games of Michigan (Winter Games); Grand Rapids, MI (February 2018)
2nd Place, 4th Dan & Up Weapons Forms; 4th Place, 4th Dan & Up Forms: Lions Karate "Best of the Best" Karate Tournament; Syracuse, IN (March 2018)
1st Place, 4th Dan & Up Weapons Forms; 2nd Place, 4th Dan & Up Forms: Lions Karate "Best of the Best" Karate Tournament; Syracuse, IN (March 2019)
Silver Medal, Senior Black Belt Weapons Forms; Bronze Medal, Senior Black Belt Forms: Meijer State Games of Michigan (Winter Games) Grand Rapids, MI (February 2020)
4th Place, 3rd to 5th Dan Weapons Forms: KIAI Isshinryu Grand Nationals Karate Tournament; Southfield, MI (June 2021)

The Kata of Isshinryu Karate

The following is a walk through of some of the Kata of Isshinryu Karate to help the Karate-Ka with their at-home practice.

Sanchin Kata

Seisan Kata

Seiuchin Kata

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October, 2026 Spotlight:

The Isshinryu Patch


The Megami (Goddess) patch has been the symbol of Isshinryu since February, 1961. It was created in honor of Tatsuo Shimabuku by A.J. Advincula.
Advincula wanted the patch to be in the shape of the vertical Isshinryu fist with Megami's image in the center, so he traced his fist on a piece of paper and drew the image inside. Advincula then took the idea to a shop in Naha, Okinawa, and the first patch was made. The shape of the patch most common now is a regular vertical pill-shape.

Every detail of the Isshinryu patch has meaning. While interpretations of the symbols may vary, those listed below are fairly standard:

GODDESS:
Half woman, half serpent, she symbolizes the quietness that a Karate-ka should exhibit, while having the strength of the serpent if necessary. Her upper body symbolizes that Karate can be as gentle as a woman, while the lower body symbolizes that Karate can be as fierce as a dragon, the most vile creature of all. Her face is calm and serene, showing that you must remain calm when faced with adversity. Her ears are elongated to symbolize knowledge and wisdom. The lines on her neck are wrinkled skin, representing her age, understanding and wisdom. The woman's headdress is a tiger's head. The tiger symbolizes the earth.
Conversely, the flying dragon represents the heavens. Therefore, the dragon and the tiger represent heaven and earth. The dragon is male and the tiger is female. Both must be in harmony with each other to become united as one mind and body. The gold bands the woman is wearing on her wrists represent chastity and commitment to one's self; one's honor. There is no Bushido (the Way of the Warrior) that has a more powerful effect than a person's own honor. Her left hand opened in front of her represents an offering of peace to anyone who comes her way (Soft). Her right hand clenched in a fist hidden behind her head to show strength and the ability to use force if evil persists (Hard). The lower half of her body is concealed by water for the same reason that her fist is behind her head. In Japan, politeness and humbleness are virtuous attributes, and the woman is the embodiment of perfection. People see only the kind and gentle woman, not the fierce and powerful serpent.

BORDER:
The Gold border symbolizes purity. Isshinryu is pure and should never be misused. The knowledge that the student gets from their Sensei should be precious, like gold. The straight lines represent precision, while the curved lines represent motion.

DRAGON:
Master Shimabuku's first name (Tatsuo) means "Dragon man." Therefore, the dragon flying above the woman's head symbolizes Shimabuku. But it also means much more than that. The dragon is a symbol of the heavens. It is a sign of good luck and wisdom; that Isshinryu Karate will prosper. It also represents the fighting spirit of Isshinryu. The red thread around the dragon's head represents fire.

THREE STARS:
There are several interpretations concerning the meaning of the three stars. One is that they represent Master Shimabuku's three instructors: Master Chotoku Kyan, Master Chojun Miyagi, and Master Choki Motobu. Some feel that the stars stand for the three styles of Karate Master Shimabuku used to create Isshinryu: Shorin-Ryu, Goju-Ryu and Kobudo; or Shuri-Te, Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu. Others believe that the stars may represent Shorin-Ryu and Goju-Ryu as the parents and Isshinryu as the offspring.

GREY BACKGROUND (NIGHT):
The Grey background represents the calm and quiet night. The darkness also symbolizes the unknown; a student's ignorance.

TROUBLED WATER:
Although the woman is sitting in the midst of a developing typhoon, she remains calm. She does not panic, because she knows that worrying will not take the danger away. By staying focused, she can determine her best path. The storm represents danger; turbulent situations in our lives to be mastered through the discipline of Karate training.

























****** BONUS Spotlight ******

100 Kata for Karate Day Challenge



On October 25th, 1936, the Ryukyu traditions of Okinawa-te were officially recognized as Karate. Therefore, this day is regarded as the official "Birthday" of Karate. In 2005, October 25th was designated "Karate Day" on the island of Okinawa, the birthplace of Karate. Every year, they have a celebration featuring public demonstrations of Kata.
The Worldwide 100 Kata for Karate Day Challenge consists of participating Dojo from around the world performing 100 repetitions of Kata. It was inspired by the classic Karate phrase "Train hard 100 times."
The Kuro-Obi Dojo at the YMCA of Greater Michiana began participating the 100 Kata for Karate Day Challenge in 2016. The video above is from our 2021 Challenge for your viewing enjoyment.