Category Archives: Translations

Kyan Chōtoku book on public display at the Karate Kaikan for the first time

Posted on April 11, 2021 by Andreas Quast

A panel exhibition sponsored by Okinawa Prefecture that introduces the history of Okinawa karate during the early Shōwa period (started 1926) began on April 8 in the lobby of the Okinawa Karate Kaikan Exhibition Room in Tomigusuku City. The kumite … Continue reading →

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Itsuki – sitting duck

Posted on April 2, 2021 by Andreas Quast

In the latest series of “Sensei: Masters of Okinawan Karate,” Oshiro Toshihiro Sensei talks about his journey, experience and development in karate and bojutsu. In one episode Oshiro Sensei remembers when he went for Shodan test at the age of … Continue reading →

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Traditional Ryūkyū kumi-odori, karate … 165 prewar Okinawan photographs discovered (3)

Posted on March 30, 2021 by Andreas Quast

Traditional “Kumi-odori” of the kingdom era presented to the younger brother of Shōwa Emperor (Hirohito) Among the Okinawa-related photographs found this time in the Asahi Shimbun Osaka Headquarters, there was a photograph of the traditional Kabuki drama “Kumi-odori” of the … Continue reading →

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On Sēpai (1986)

Posted on February 15, 2021 by Andreas Quast

Not too long ago communication between Okinawa and the world as well as between sensei and students was slow. Things would sometimes take months if not years to reach anybody, if ever. My colleague Filip Konjokrad just provided his translation … Continue reading →

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Chiishi and Ishi-sashi — Traditional athletic culture (undo bunka) of Okinawa

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Andreas Quast

At the beginning of the 20th century, while young men’s associations in all places worked to promote sports, the Young Men’s Associations of Shimajiri County carried out a survey about recreational pastimes: “Right now, this county’s citizens compete in only … Continue reading →

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The inheritance of Kobudo is “destiny.” There is no end to research [Dojo Tour 3]

Posted on December 13, 2020 by Andreas Quast

Translation of an article from Okinawa Times, April 17, 2017. “Kobudō is my life. I have been pursuing it all my life, but research is endless.” Nakamoto Masahiro (79), who was selected as the only intangible cultural property holder in … Continue reading →

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Where dragons look

Posted on November 14, 2020 by Andreas Quast

A photo of Shuri Castle main hall (seiden) taken in 1877 was confirmed. It is the oldest photo of Shuri Castle. The photo was taken by Jules Joseph Gabriel Revertégat (1850-1912), a French lieutenant of the Navy who was on … Continue reading →

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Nagamine reveals secret of karate to the Metropolitan Police Department

Posted on September 23, 2020 by Andreas Quast

After his first assignment to Tōkyō in 1936, Nagamine again had the opportunity to travel to the capital in 1941. This time he was dispatched to the Ministry of Home Affairs, which at that time included the Bureau of Police … Continue reading →

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Nagamine Shōshin: In der Kata ist das Leben – Widersprüche in der Konzeption des Okinawa Karate

Posted on September 13, 2020 by Andreas Quast

25. November 1995, Ryūkyū Shinpō Am 08. November 1995 las ich in dieser Kolumne Herrn Nakazatos Artikel “Kata 型 oder Kata 形? Erwägungen über die Konzeption des Okinawa Karate”, ich bin jedoch bezüglich Herrn Nakazatos dort formuliertem Standpunkt gegensätzlicher Ansicht. … Continue reading →

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Tsuboi Gendō (1852-1922) – Physical education scholar of the Meiji era and Japan’s first physical exercises teacher

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Andreas Quast

Tsuboi was born in Onikoshi, Katsushika District, Shimosa Province (today’s Ichikawa City in Chiba prefecture) as the second son of a farmer. In 1866, he entered the Kaiseijo of the Edo shogunate to study English. The Kaiseijo was an institution … Continue reading →

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