Author Archives: Andreas Quast

The karate of the “Pechin Class”

Posted on October 27, 2022 by Andreas Quast

A colleague just argued that “karate” came from the Pēchin class of Okinawa. I think this is a oversimplification, and it is also one of those stories based on guesswork and premature conclusions. According to censuses of 1873 and 1880 … Continue reading →

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

Posted on October 22, 2022 by Andreas Quast

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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Karate ni sente nashi

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Andreas Quast

For Okinawa karate circles, imperialism and militarism are extremely difficult issues. This is because they are seemingly irreconcilable with Okinawa’s postwar karate narratives, its notional philosophies, related marketing campaigns in tourism, and most of all, the recent endeavors to list … Continue reading →

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Ryūkyū no Fūbutsu (Scenes and Cus­toms of Ryūkyū) (1940)

Posted on October 20, 2022 by Andreas Quast

The 1940 movie Ryūkyū no Fūbutsu (Scenes and Cus­toms of Ryūkyū) was planned by the Japan Folk Art Association (Nihon Mingei Kyōkai) and headed by Ya­nagi Muneyoshi (1889–1961), who acted as editorial supervisor. Yanagi was born on March 21, 1889, … Continue reading →

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Kata opening in Gōjū-ryū

Posted on October 20, 2022 by Andreas Quast

In Gōjū-ryū, there are basically two ways of opening at the beginning of the kata: Method 1 a. Stand in Musubi-dachi, with open hands crossed in front of the tanden. b. Open stance to Heikō-dachi while closing the fists and … Continue reading →

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Kunjan Sabakuyi 2

Posted on October 14, 2022 by Andreas Quast

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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Kunjan Sabakuyi

Posted on October 14, 2022 by Andreas Quast

For the Ryukyu royal government, the Yanbaru mountain forests in northern Okinawa were important resources for materials used in construction and shipbuilding, and as firewood and charcoal. Isn’t it said that Higaonna Kanryo transported “firewood” with a boat type referred … Continue reading →

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On the establishment of dan and kyu grading regulations in Okinawa

Posted on October 13, 2022 by Andreas Quast

1882: Establishment of the Kōdōkan by Kanō Jigorō. 1895: Establishment of the Dai Nippon Butokukai. Titles Hanshi, Kyōshi, Renshi. Seirinsho certificates. 1919: The Dai Nippon Butokukai renames bujutsu to budō. 1920: Kōdōkan Judō announces the dan kyū regulation. 1933/12/8: Dai … Continue reading →

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Okinawa Karate Exam

Posted on October 13, 2022 by Andreas Quast

Issue 1: In 1960, the first dan and kyu grading regulation of Okinawa karate circles was implemented by the Okinawa Karate-do Renmei. 25 people graded 3rd dan, 23 people graded 2nd dan, and 40 people graded 1st dan.TASK: Name an … Continue reading →

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平系とは

Posted on October 10, 2022 by Andreas Quast

[井上元勝（著者）：琉球古武道（上巻）。監修　琉球古武道保存振興会　総本部・内地総本部。東京、有限会社ブレーン出版、昭和47年6月7日。1刷、pp. 582-583。] 一　責務をあらたに このたび、当会生みの親、故平信賢先生を失い、一時は会員一同断腸の思いで追憶かぎりなきものがありました。沖縄・内地の会員達、または各空手界の諸先生方に励まされ、いまや亡き先生の意志を全うすべきことを決意し、会員の要望ももだしがたく、新会長の位置を辱(かたじけな)うし、その責務の重大さを痛感するものであります。また、会長就任直後、時あたかも一九七〇年十月十日、全日本空手道連盟主催の第一回世界空手道大会において、琉球古武道保存振興会を代表して正統なる琉球古武道の一技、津堅砂掛けの棍を演武したことも当会のため欣快にたえぬことと思います。ここに内地総本部長井上元勝先生の手によって本書を発行し、琉球古武道の正しい発展を基礎づけるとともに、故平信賢先生に対する報恩の一助にしたいと思います。 琉球古武道はしだいに盛んになるとともに、誤伝される恐れが多分にあります。現在、古武道に関する出版物が多少ありますが、そのいずれにも間違いがあります。琉球古武道保存振興会で保存している各型については、その誤謬をふせぐため、総本部及び内地総本部長の事実上の監修を経て、両本部名を明記したもののみ責任を負い、正統本とすることを付記します。 一九七一年九月 琉球古武道保存振興会 総本部会長　赤嶺栄亮

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