Category Archives: Unknown Ryukyu

Taketomi’s “Arm Stick” – Ancient Jūjutsu-like techniques embodied in a harvest dance

One of the performing arts of Taketomi Town is the “Arm stick” (udibō), a dance that includes the use of arms and forearms like a bō, i.e., a weapon. It is performed by women of Nakasuji hamlet. The performing arts … Continue reading

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Prince Chatan and the Iron Priest

In the list of items housed in the Okinawa Prefectural Museum, there is item #1030, a short sword. The description adds, “Legend has it that Ufumura Ōji [=Prince Chatan] killed Priest Kurogane with this blade.” (Note 1) What kind of … Continue reading

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Arakaki Ankichi’s Hanging Scroll of a Thunder God

In 1928, at the request of Dr. Iha Magobei, who owned a hospital in Chatan’s Yara Village, Ankichi painted a hanging scroll depicting a god of thunder and composed a poem for it while at a party near Murochi. This … Continue reading

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The Motobu Udun Tomb

In 2021, after several years of research and reconstruction, the Motobu Udun Tomb was designated a cultural property by Ginowan City. The tomb is of interest as a historical site, but it also has high value as a place related … Continue reading

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Original Karate mentioned in 1873. No, wait: 1850!

Ernest Mason Satow (1843–1929) was a British diplomat, scholar, Japanologist and a key figure in Anglo-Japanese relations. He is best known in Japan as Satō Ainosuke (佐藤/薩道愛之助). As many people from Okinawa karate circles might know, Satow published his “Notes on … Continue reading

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10. Tag des 6. Monats 1479: Prozession mit dem Prinzen, dem späteren König Shō Shin

(Nach dem Bericht eines koreanischen Schiffbrüchigen in „Authentische Aufzeichnung der Schönheit der Yi-Dynastie“, übersetzt von Andreas Quast aus Iha Fuyu: Onarigami no Shima, S. 296) Ich und die anderen sahen die Königin Mutter, wie sie zum Umzug erschien. Sie benutzte … Continue reading

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The girls sold as prostitutes, and the boys as Buddhist priests…

Typically, most members of the karate community oppose or even forbid discussion of certain topics. For instance, the topic of the involvement of Okinawan karate people in Japanese imperialism, colonialism, and militarism until the surrender in 1945 is carefully and … Continue reading

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Sai Taitei’s Chinese Poetry and Red Light Districts in Ryūkyū

Sai Taitei was born in 1823 and he was from Kume Village. Later in life he succeeded his father’s post to become Ikei Pechin (an assistant estate-steward of Ikei Village belonging to Yonashiro District). It is presumed that he traveled … Continue reading

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Kuwae no Kon (a.k.a. Torisashi Umē no Kon)

Yesterday, I received note about a rare bō kata of Okinawa. It is almost unknown in both name and technique, let alone its history. Almost. Names The name of the kata is Kuwae no Kon, and it is also known … Continue reading

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Kunjan Sabakuyi 2

Here is another example of the “Kunjan Sabakuyi” performing art. Watch until the end to see a posture reminiscent of “Kusanku” of karate, or “Sakugawa no Kon” and several other kata of bojutsu. Just to be clear: I am not … Continue reading

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