Author Archives: Andreas Quast

The Four Outer Forms of Postures in Contexts Other than Karate

Posted on November 25, 2023 by Andreas Quast

In my previous article I presented a chapter from Kinjo Hiroshi’s last book. In it he describes “The Four Outer Forms of Postures Discovered by Matsumura.” These four outer forms of postures simply describe how two opponents can face each … Continue reading →

Posted in Postwar Okinawa Karate, The Technique of Okinawa Karate and Kobudo | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Four Outer Forms of Postures in Contexts Other than Karate

The Four Outer Forms of Postures Discovered by Matsumura

Posted on November 25, 2023 by Andreas Quast

(Note: The following is a partly abridged translation of a chapter from Kinjo Hiroshi’s last book. It is presented here for discussion und research purposes for those with ties to Okinawa Karate, particularly those of the Shurite genus.) The Four … Continue reading →

Posted in Postwar Okinawa Karate, Terminology, The Technique of Okinawa Karate and Kobudo, Theories of Historical Karate in Comparative Perspective, Translations | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The Four Outer Forms of Postures Discovered by Matsumura

Naihanchi of Tomari-te

Posted on November 4, 2023 by Andreas Quast

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

Long live the noodle soup: A cultural-historical slurp of Okinawa Soba

Posted on October 21, 2023 by Andreas Quast

Comparatively recent, on March 29, 2005, the Okinawa Prefectural Assembly declared October 25th as “Karate Day.” The date was chosen in reference to October 25, 1936, when several leading karate practitioners of the era officially decided on the notation Karate … Continue reading →

Posted in Comparative Analyses, Misc, Okinawa Peace Theory, Terminology, UNESCO Karate | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Long live the noodle soup: A cultural-historical slurp of Okinawa Soba

Kihon created from Kata – Shiromatsu no Kon

Posted on September 9, 2023 by Andreas Quast

A new playlist on my channel sports “Kihon created from Kata.” There I present various ideas and suggestions of how to use techniques and combinations from kata as kihon routines. The second installment features combos from Shiromatsu no Kon, which … Continue reading →

Posted in Bojutsu Kata Series, Kihon created from kata | Tagged | Comments Off on Kihon created from Kata – Shiromatsu no Kon

Kihon created from Kata – Shushi no Kon

Posted on September 9, 2023 by Andreas Quast

A new playlist on my channel sports “Kihon created from Kata.” There I present various ideas and suggestions of how to use techniques and combinations from kata as kihon routines. The first installment features combos from Shushi no Kon Sho, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bojutsu Kata Series, Kihon created from kata | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Kihon created from Kata – Shushi no Kon

Gedan-uke, Mamori, Hikkake, Gedan-barai, etc.pp. – Variations in Bojutsu techniques

Posted on September 3, 2023 by Andreas Quast

When looking at old footage, or if you have practical experience, you know there are several variations in the performance and characteristics of the same movement in different schools. Also, from written descriptions, there are different names used by different … Continue reading →

Posted in Bojutsu Kata Series, kumibo, Terminology | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Gedan-uke, Mamori, Hikkake, Gedan-barai, etc.pp. – Variations in Bojutsu techniques

Kushaku-bō or 9-foot-staff of Taira Shinken

Posted on September 3, 2023 by Andreas Quast

In the bōjutsu tradition of Taira Shinken, we find a rarely seen pole weapon: the Kushaku-bō or 9-foot-staff. I have laid out all primary sources known to me before, here and here. To finalize the matter, and as another instance … Continue reading →

Posted in Bojutsu Kata Series | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Kushaku-bō or 9-foot-staff of Taira Shinken

Okinawan “Colonist Samurai”

Posted on August 31, 2023 by Andreas Quast

Okinawan peace theory is a difficult topic, most of all for Okinawans themselves. Often, the era of the 15 Years War and Okinawan participation in “the system” is categorically marginalized, denied, and not addressed. The reasons for this are varied, … Continue reading →

Posted in kobudo, Okinawa Peace Theory | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Okinawan “Colonist Samurai”

An incomplete chronology of the nunchaku

Posted on August 31, 2023 by Andreas Quast

The oldest source on the nunchaku so far seems to be by William Henry Furness III (1866–1920), American physician, ethnographer and author, who visited Okinawa from March 13 to 26, 1896, saying, Non-shaku [nunchaku] is played with a stick about … Continue reading →

Posted in kobudo | Tagged | Comments Off on An incomplete chronology of the nunchaku