Tag Archives: Wanshu

Naihanchi of Tomari-te

There is a interesting detail to Nagamine Shōshin sensei‘s Naihanchi, which has rarely been adressed, if ever. Namely, each step in this kata is performed with the leg raise referred to as nami-gashi (lit. returning wave). This continuous nami-gashi is … Continue reading

Posted in Appropriation, Postwar Okinawa Karate, Prewar Okinawa Karate, Terminology, The Technique of Okinawa Karate and Kobudo, Theories of Historical Karate in Comparative Perspective, Translations | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Naihanchi of Tomari-te

A Study on Okinawan Karate Kata Names

Ro Gai (Lu Jiangwei) (Joint Researcher, Research Institute attached to the Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts): Okinawa karate no kata meishō ni tsuite no ichikōsatsu (A Study on Okinawan Karate Kata Names). In: Ryūkyū Karate no Rūtsu wo saguru Jigyō … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on A Study on Okinawan Karate Kata Names

If it looks like a duck…

Note: Motobu Naoki Sensei of the Motobu-ryū was so kind to share the articles by Murakami Katsumi and from “Gekkan Karatedo” used in here with me. He also was so kind to help with the translations. Thank you very much Motobu Naoki Sensei! … Continue reading

Posted in Unknown Ryukyu | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on If it looks like a duck…

The Goddess Mazu, Guardians, and a Drawing of Wang Ji, Chief-envoy of the Investiture Mission of 1683

This short article shows how the Chinese guardian deity and patron goddess of seafarers Mazu 媽祖 is related to chief-envoy Wang Ji of 1683, and presents his portray. As had been pointed out, there was a whole “Mazu Culture” which spread from Fujian … Continue reading

Posted in Misc, Unknown Ryukyu | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on The Goddess Mazu, Guardians, and a Drawing of Wang Ji, Chief-envoy of the Investiture Mission of 1683

Weaponry during Edo-nobori

Edo-nobori were Ryūkyūan pilgrimages to Edo on official occasions, like the enthronement of a new Ryūkyūan king or the succession of a new Shōgun in Japan. During these pilgrimages a very few number of weapons were carried by Ryūkyūans like … Continue reading

Posted in Unknown Ryukyu | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Weaponry during Edo-nobori

Wanshū, Wansu, and Wang Ji

The Tsūkō Ichiran (Survey of Foreign Relations, 1853) extensively reports on Ryūkyū. It notes on the first Edo-nobori (embassies to Edo) that took place in 1634. At that time King Shō Hō dispatched prince Kin Ōji Chōtei as a gratitude … Continue reading

Posted in Unknown Ryukyu | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Wanshū, Wansu, and Wang Ji

On the distinction between Shuri-te and Tomari-te

Translator’s note: The Japanese language version of this article published on the Motobu-ryū website has sparked a lot of interest among the international karate and Ryūkyū bugei community. In addition, there was a request for a translation. For this reason I translated it here with … Continue reading

Posted in Kyan Chotoku, Unknown Ryukyu | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on On the distinction between Shuri-te and Tomari-te

Mutsu Mizuho: KARATE KENPO ZEN (The Complete Karate Kenpo)

Mutsu Mizuho: Tōde Kenpō Zen [The Complete Karate Kenpō]. Yōju Shorin, Ginowan 1999. 493 pp. 27cm. Limited Edition (800 only)! his is a reprint of the 1933 original edition published by the Tōkyō University Karate Kenkyūkai. Mutsu Mizuho already in 1929 traveled … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Mutsu Mizuho: KARATE KENPO ZEN (The Complete Karate Kenpo)