Order of Isshin-Ryu: One Family - One Dojo: History and Teachings of Master Toby Cooling and a Promise Made to the Founder

In 1956 Tatsuo Shimabuku formalized his martial arts training, knowledge and experiences into one of the world’s foremost karate styles: Isshin-Ryu. Many outstanding karate-ka were produced over the years and the style has grown exponentially throughout the world. One such ambassador of Isshin-Ryu who has built a foundation of tradition and outstanding students is Toby Cooling. Grandmaster Cooling has kept a lifelong promise to Isshin-Ryu’s founder by building a true karate family.

This is the story and history of Grandmaster Toby Cooling’s legacy: The Order of Isshin-Ryu.

Author Dan Popp began his study of Isshin Ryu Karate in 1982 under his father, Frank Popp. He eventually joined the Order of Isshin-Ryu family in 1996 and is currently ranked roku-dan. Dan is also ranked go-dan in Manasyu Karate, yon-dan in Kendo, and Lakan Isa (1st degree black belt) in Kombatan. Dan was named the 2008 Male Instructor of the Year by the Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame. In 2013 he was inducted as the 101st member of the Isshin-Ryu Hall of Fame.

Dan learned the traditional Japanese art of Shodo under his Kendo sensei, the late Duk Yeong Kim, and continues to practice this art to honor Kim sensei. He has exhibited his art in both Harrisburg, PA and Lancaster, PA. He has previously authored two books about his former Kendo/Shodo instructor: The Floating Brush as well as Sensei’s Final Lessons. Dan is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a B.S. in Professional Accountancy. He is employed by the National Credit Union Administration as a Regional Information Systems Officer where he performs IT and information security audits. He has earned the following certifications from ISACA: Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC), and Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT).