Category Archives: Theories of Historical Karate in Comparative Perspective

In this category I look into the theories and perceptions of historical Karate. Is there a causal relation that can be verified from existing historical sources?

Torite (continued)

Posted on December 1, 2021 by Andreas Quast

As has been noted previously, it was no less than Itosu Ankō who “said that karate was introduced by Chin Genpin.” As regards the art taught in Japan by Chin Genpin, it has been described as the “art of torite” … Continue reading →

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Torite (overview)

Posted on November 28, 2021 by Andreas Quast

Torite is a classical martial art to capture an enemy with bare hands without killing him. Depending on the respective school, auxiliary weapons are used to make the arrest, such as the mitsu-dōgu (three pole weapons for catching criminals), the … Continue reading →

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Kenpō jūjutsu

Posted on November 28, 2021 by Andreas Quast

According to Okinawan samurai Aka Pēchin (1721–1784), jūjutsu was practiced in Ryūkyū already in the 18th century. Regarding unarmed martial arts in Okinawa, it was no less than the father of modern karate, Itosu Ankō, who noted that historical karate … Continue reading →

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Kyan Chōtoku book on public display at the Karate Kaikan for the first time

Posted on April 11, 2021 by Andreas Quast

A panel exhibition sponsored by Okinawa Prefecture that introduces the history of Okinawa karate during the early Shōwa period (started 1926) began on April 8 in the lobby of the Okinawa Karate Kaikan Exhibition Room in Tomigusuku City. The kumite … Continue reading →

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On Sēpai (1986)

Posted on February 15, 2021 by Andreas Quast

Not too long ago communication between Okinawa and the world as well as between sensei and students was slow. Things would sometimes take months if not years to reach anybody, if ever. My colleague Filip Konjokrad just provided his translation … Continue reading →

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Chiishi and Ishi-sashi — Traditional athletic culture (undo bunka) of Okinawa

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Andreas Quast

At the beginning of the 20th century, while young men’s associations in all places worked to promote sports, the Young Men’s Associations of Shimajiri County carried out a survey about recreational pastimes: “Right now, this county’s citizens compete in only … Continue reading →

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Nagamine reveals secret of karate to the Metropolitan Police Department

Posted on September 23, 2020 by Andreas Quast

After his first assignment to Tōkyō in 1936, Nagamine again had the opportunity to travel to the capital in 1941. This time he was dispatched to the Ministry of Home Affairs, which at that time included the Bureau of Police … Continue reading →

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Spiking the jujube date

Posted on July 12, 2020 by Andreas Quast

One of the very few technical terms of old-style karate still currently handed down in Okinawa is kōsā. The original designation koza changed over time and was mostly forgotten or simply replaced by modern Japanese terminology, namely by the terms … Continue reading →

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Sanchin

Posted on June 23, 2020 by Andreas Quast

It seems that Higashionna Kanryō trained Sanchin as a technique to acquire skill. Miyagi on the other hand thought there was already enough practice of kaishu-gata, but heishu-gata were lacking. He began to aim at physical education and martial arts … Continue reading →

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The most important source to assess and to reinterpret the old narratives of karate schools

Posted on January 13, 2020 by Andreas Quast

A narrative is a report that adds meaning to, and influences the perception of events among a target group. It is related to a specific field (cultural, political, etc.), conveys values and emotions, and is subject to modification over time. … Continue reading →

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