Category Archives: Translations

Eku, Ieku, or Ueku?

Posted on August 27, 2022 by Andreas Quast

The paddle is one of the weapons used in Okinawa Kobudō. It refers to a two-handed paddle used to propel a small boat. While used by fishermen since ancient times, it has also been used as a weapon on occasion. … Continue reading →

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The History and Contents of Matayoshi Kobudo as of 1999

Posted on August 25, 2022 by Andreas Quast

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

Posted on August 24, 2022 by Andreas Quast

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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Taira Shinken 1964 copied from Yun Heui-byeong 1948

Posted on August 20, 2022 by Andreas Quast

Taira Shinken’s Ryūkyū Kobudō Taikan (1964) is considered the first monography on Okinawan weapon’s arts. In it, he included a chapter called “The History of Ryūkyū Kobudō” with descriptions of various masters from the past. However, more than fifteen years … Continue reading →

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About Okinawa Traditional Kobudo | 沖縄伝統古武道について

Posted on July 29, 2022 by Andreas Quast

About three years ago, Mamoru Nakamoto Sensei posted a number of short lectures on his Karate Kobudo Channel. The videos have since been taken down again, but I had prepared a synopsis for each and these are posted below. Note … Continue reading →

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Maintaining the Unaltered Technique

Posted on June 5, 2022 by Andreas Quast

In today’s Okinawa Times is an article on Mr. Nakazato Takeshi, 2nd generation Sōke of Shōrinji-ryū and Chairman of Zen Okinawa Shōrinji-ryū Karatedo Kyōkai. I would like to shortly share some parts of it. As for the context, the founder … Continue reading →

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Karate as an Intangible Cultural Property

Posted on May 22, 2022 by Andreas Quast

Below is a translation of “Mukei bunkazai to shite no karate“, published in “Okinawa Karate Kobudō Jiten,” 2008. A quarter century after the first designation, Okinawa Prefecture works on having karate designated an intangible cultural heritage with the UNESCO. Yes, … Continue reading →

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Control the opponent without causing injury. Kyan Shinei (1912-97). Sai. Bringing attention to Okinawa’s platonic ideal of peace.

Posted on May 1, 2022 by Andreas Quast

Sai, which are used as weapons in ancient martial arts (kobudō), has been studied by warriors (bujin) since the Ryukyu Kingdom era. Originally used by the Buddhist monks of the Shaolin Temple in China, it is said that the tip … Continue reading →

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Karate, Tōde, and “The Reconciliation of Nanzan and Hokuzan”

Posted on April 9, 2022 by Andreas Quast

As mentioned previously, in 2021, a list of “100 Footprints of Modern Karate” were published in the Okinawa Times. Of course, “Modern Karate” here refers to the period since the establishment of Okinawa Prefecture in 1879. In this list, footprint … Continue reading →

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The First Footprint of Modern Karate

Posted on April 8, 2022 by Andreas Quast

In 2021, a list of “100 Footprints of Modern Karate” were published in the Okinawa Times. Footprint Number 1 refers to December 1, 1890, when Yabu Kentsū, Hanashiro Chōmo, Gabu Masae, Kudeken Kenyū and others volunteered to join the Imperial … Continue reading →

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