Category Archives: Postwar Okinawa Karate

Fourth Installation on Ufutun Bō

The following info is found in literature: Ufutun no Bō (aka Mēkata no Bō) In today’s Yaese Town Ufutun (the former Gushichan Ufutun). When and where performed: During Abushibarē in the 4th month of the old lunar calendar. This bōjutsu … Continue reading

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Follow-up on Ufutun Bō

Previously I wrote about Ufutun Bō. As is often the case, there were no tangible answers or new informations shared by even the most authorative persons. In Okinawan martial arts, there are official narratives and these are strictly to be … Continue reading

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Inheriting the essence

The following is from an article published in the Okinawa Times: “Inheriting the essence. Faithfully inheriting the ancestor’s kata. Nakazato Takeshi (60), 2nd generation Sōke of Shōrinji-ryū and Chairman of Zen Okinawa Shōrinji-ryū Karatedo Kyōkai. Inheriting the techniques of Chanmī’s … Continue reading

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Shitsuden and Shinden

The term shitsuden 失伝 means disruption; interruption; non-continuation; to fall into desuetude; the loss of a tradition, a practice, a custom, etc. It can mean the loss of a full tradition, such as a complete school or style (ryūha), or … 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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平系とは

[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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The History and Contents of Matayoshi Kobudo as of 1999

Grandfather Shinkō was born on May 18, 1888, in Kakinohana Town, Naha City as the third son of great-grandfather, Shinchin. Raised in Senbaru, Chatan Village, he learned kenpō (empty-handed martial arts) and bukijutsu (martial arts with weaponry) handed down as … Continue reading

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The History and Contents of Matayoshi Kobudo as of 1977

Chairman: Matayoshi Shinpō (hanshi) Registered domicile: 2-16-6 Kumoji, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture Present address: 323 Yogi, Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture Date of birth: January 16, 1922 Occupation: commerce Martial Record 1930: Studied under Kyan Chōtoku (karate training) (8 years old) … Continue reading

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How “Tsuken Hanta-gwā no Kon” became “Urasoe no Kon”

Urasoe no Kon is a kata name that first appeared in the postwar era. That is, none of the kata lists presented by Miki (1930) and Taira (1938) included the name Urasoe no Kon, nor does it appear elsewhere. While … Continue reading

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Taira Shinken 1964 also copied designs from Yun Heui-byeong 1948

In the last article, I notified that Taira Shinken copied important parts of text from Yun’s research published in 1948. Besides text, Taira also copied designs from Yun. Here I would like to particularly point out the makiwara design. The … Continue reading

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