Monthly Archives: May 2015

On Yohaku no bi in Lara’s painting

Talking about the aesthetic taste of the Japanese (biishiki 美意識) makes sense only when considering both the classical and the modern perspective. However, for the sake of this short post I’d like to simply touch one topic, namely the socalled Yohaku no … Continue reading

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The ultimate goal of budō

Remember that the ultimate goal of budō lies not in technique, but in the educative aim to produce useful people for the community, who ultimately contribute something to the world. It is only on the individual level that this is achieved by “perfecting … Continue reading

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A Stroll Along Ryukyu Martial Arts History

A Stroll Along Ryukyu Martial Arts History Paperback – May 15, 2015 by Andreas Quast (Author) Paperback edition: available at Amazon US ($14.99), Amazon UK (£9.79), Amazon Germany (EUR 14.97), CreateSpace eStore ($14.99), and at online and offline bookstores and retailers, as well as via public libraries and … Continue reading

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The Chuzan Mon on Ayajo Boulevard

Within the construction of the Shuri castle walls there were numerous gates. In olden times there was a gate called Chūzan-mon, which was of the same type as the Shureimon. Unfortunately, the Chūzan-mon was demolished in 1908 due to obsolescence. … Continue reading

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A different karate man

Today’s Kojō-ryū came into existence when sometime after 1945 Kojō Kafu opened a dōjō in Naha City Tsuboya, together with his oldest son and 7th generation Kojō Shigeru (1934-?). Shigeru himself, together with Matayoshi Seiki (1933-1975), practiced for about five years … Continue reading

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Random thoughts on the term “Enbu”

Investiture envoy Wang Ji for 1683 noted on a place for drill in arms and for the practice of martial arts in Naha, used by the officers and men of the Tenshikan (the lodgings of the Investiture envoys and their followers, … Continue reading

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A word in your ear

The expression “Disposition of Ryūkyū” (Ryūkyū Shobun) designates the stepwise incorporation of the Ryūkyū Kingdom into the Japanese Empire. First, it was designated the Ryūkyū fief in 1872. Seven years later, in 1879, it integrated into the Japanese Empire as … Continue reading

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