News – Order of Isshin Ryu

Scholarship Award for 2022

This is the first year for the Order of Isshin-Ryu Martial Arts (OIMA) scholarship program! We are very excited to announce the following first recipient: Zackary Treloar, yon-kyu, Karate Rocks dojo Mr. Treloar is 10 years old and has been training for three years at the Karate Rocks dojo in Windsor, Ontario. He is extremely

Grandmaster Walter ‘Toby’ Cooling – In Memoriam

Our hearts are heavy as we announce the passing of a great man and Isshin-Ryu legend, Grandmaster Walter E. ‘Toby’ Cooling. Master Cooling was a judan (10th degree black belt) and head of the Order of Isshin-Ryu Martial Arts organization. Master Cooling founded the Order of Isshin-Ryu on January 15, 1971 in an effort to

Bugeisha Magazine

Bugeisha is a quarterly magazine for readers and practitioners of traditional martial arts. In its 10th edition, September 2021, an article authored by Master Toby Cooling and Sensei Dan Popp is included: “Order of Isshin-Ryu – A Martial Arts Family Celebrating its Golden Anniversary.” The article describes our roots and history, our family values,

In Memory of Master Barry L. Smith

In Memory of Master Barry L. Smith, 9th Dan, Order of Isshin-Ryu 1945 – 2019 It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that our brother and friend, Master Barry L. Smith, has passed after a long battle with cancer. As one of the founding members of the Order of Isshin-Ryu, Master Smith’s martial

Remembering Black Belt Joseph Nickle

Joseph Ward Nickle of Millington, MD, passed away peacefully at home March 1, 2019, after battling pancreatic cancer for over three years. He was born in Elkton, Maryland to Ward B. and Rose (Hague) Nickle. He is survived by his wife Joan Berwick, his sons Jason, Ward, Joe and Josh, brothers John and David (Elkton), sister Teresa Figlow