Category Archives: Terminology

Reasonable expectations

Posted on December 5, 2023 by Andreas Quast

Previously, I wrote about “The Four Outer Forms of Postures Discovered by Matsumura” as described and taught by the late Kinjō Hiroshi sensei. These Four Outer Forms are the result of Kinjō’s inductive reasoning and empirical argumentation. Obviously, in Okinawa … Continue reading →

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Tsuken Akan’chū and the impossibility of a direct personal instruction by Tsuken Uēkata

Posted on December 2, 2023 by Andreas Quast

In my previous article I shared the story of Tsuken Uēkata. At the end of that story, Tsuken Uēkata was interned in Kagoshima after his political intrigue was discovered. So, how, and when did he create Tsuken-bō, and how was … Continue reading →

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How to wrap a sāji or headband

Posted on December 2, 2023 by Andreas Quast

Ever wondered how to wrap a sāji or headband for eisa, or bo-odori etc.? I translated below description from el-okinawa.com.

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Tsuken Uēkata Seisoku

Posted on November 30, 2023 by Andreas Quast

In the previous article, I wrote about Tsuken no Kon. This kata is said to be one of the oldest bōjutsu of Okinawa, dating back to a certain Tsuken Uēkata Seisoku. According to historian Majikina Ankō (1923), Tsuken Uēkata Seisoku … Continue reading →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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When was Kanegawa no Tinbē created?

Posted on August 30, 2023 by Andreas Quast

Yesterday, David Hansen of Isshin-ryū posted a good question on Facebook. It is as follows. This photo shows Shinken Sensei to be holding more of a machete than short spear.  What year did this lineage change to short spear and … Continue reading →

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Kobudo kata list – then and now

Posted on August 30, 2023 by Andreas Quast

There has always been some confusion as to why the Taira-Inoue lineage of Kobudo practices more kata than the Taira-Akamine lineage, this even more since a comprehensive kata list written by Akamine Eisuke is found hanging at the Shimbukan that … Continue reading →

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