Shin-Toshi – The best kept secret in martial arts

Mickey N. Fisher founded Shin-toshi over 25 years ago, in 1963. This preceded the development of Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kun Do by six months. Mr. Fisher began his karate training 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 his immediate instructor objecting because he personally witnessed Mr. Fisher’s skill.

Mr. Fisher was America’s first teenage black belt. He first earned a first degree black belt from Jhoon Rhee in 1962. Mr. Fisher continued his martial arts training with advanced degrees in Moo Duk Kwon, Kenpo and a few other styles. Mr. Fisher’s highest title, a 9th degree black belt, is in Shin-toshi Karate and Chung Do Kwan Take Kwon Do.

Mike Burke, who was and is a student of Mr. Fisher, owns and operates the Utah Karate Institute in northern Utah and is the second-ranking martial artist in Shin-Toshi. He has achieved the rank of seventh degree black belt. Mr. Burke has been teaching Karate for over 20 years and oversees the Shin-toshi International 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 beautiful Martial Art. With Shin-toshi you learn very strong kicks similar to the Japanese and Chinese styles. This includes a strong front kick as well as a powerful back kick, the most powerful kick in all of the Martial Arts. Other kicks learned at Shin-toshi are the front punch, spin, spin, side, front jump, jump spin, and crescent kick.

There are many strikes in Shin-toshi including the snapping fist, healing palm strike, vertical strike, front and rear elbow strike, inner and outer hammer fist, inner and outer slash. Special techniques and moves are applied to these blows to make them very effective when one has to defend.

Shin-toshi uses a lot of blocks. Some of these locks are in, out, up, down, and bypass locks. 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 gives you a chance to gain an advantage over your opponent.

Heavy emphasis is placed on tucks and then punches and then back tucks, each kick and punch. This emphasis gives each blow its power.

Ranks in Shin-toshi go in the following order: white, yellow stripe, yellow, gold, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, and then the black belt.

Shin-toshi’s average learning time, but is generally 3-5 years. Learning Shin-toshi requires 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 like Shin-toshi increases self-esteem. For children who have an aggressive nature, it has been shown to help them control this aggression and help 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 (about 8 years and older, ability to tell left from right) and adults.

“Be like the thorn in the bush, always ready to protect the rose, but at peace and without seeking confrontation”