Category Archives: Shima Society

Taketomi’s “Arm Stick” – Ancient Jūjutsu-like techniques embodied in a harvest dance

Posted on January 6, 2024 by Andreas Quast

One of the performing arts of Taketomi Town is the “Arm stick” (udibō), a dance that includes the use of arms and forearms like a bō, i.e., a weapon. It is performed by women of Nakasuji hamlet. The performing arts … Continue reading →

Posted in Jujutsu, New Developments, Shima Society, Terminology, Theories of Historical Karate in Comparative Perspective, Unknown Ryukyu | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Taketomi’s “Arm Stick” – Ancient Jūjutsu-like techniques embodied in a harvest dance

Is Zakimi bōjutsu the original Tsuken-bō?

Posted on December 9, 2023 by Andreas Quast

In a similar line of thought as in the previous article, I continue the search for hints to the spread and characteristics of Tsuken-bō. This time it is about Zakimi bōjutsu, sometimes simply called Zakimi-bō as handed down in Zakimi … Continue reading →

Posted in Bojutsu Kata Series, Shima Society, The Technique of Okinawa Karate and Kobudo, Theories of Historical Karate in Comparative Perspective, Tsuken | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Is Zakimi bōjutsu the original Tsuken-bō?

Lawsuit at Naha District Court about a 1,500-square-meter cemetery

Posted on June 25, 2023 by Andreas Quast

Before, I have written about the little known issue of Plots of land of unknown ownership in Okinawa, which divides the hearts of Okinawas in their very own religion of ancestor whorship. Here is another recent case. It is a … Continue reading →

Posted in Okinawa no Kokoro, Shima Society, Translations | Comments Off on Lawsuit at Naha District Court about a 1,500-square-meter cemetery

Plots of land of unknown ownership in Okinawa

Posted on June 25, 2023 by Andreas Quast

Land registers are formal records kept worldwide by authorities or other government bodies according to specific rules that can differ regionally. They list all land, land rights, the existing ownership and associated rights and encumbrances. It is most often known … Continue reading →

Posted in Misc, Okinawa no Kokoro, Shima Society | Comments Off on Plots of land of unknown ownership in Okinawa

Visiting gods – Incidents related to Shima society

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Andreas Quast

Closely related to the customs of traditional young men’s groups and their lodgings are various village festivals found all over Okinawa. For instance, there is the tradition of the “visiting gods” called raihoshin, or “joy-bringing spirits from the divine realms” … Continue reading →

Posted in Shima Society, Wikipedia JP | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Visiting gods – Incidents related to Shima society

Itoman Group Murder Case – Incidents related to Shima society

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Andreas Quast

The Itoman Group Murder Case was a lynch murder case that occurred on February 10, 1967 in Itoman in Okinawa. At midnight on February 10, 1967, a group ambushed the victim (age 40) who had returned from a New Year’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Shima Society, Wikipedia JP | Comments Off on Itoman Group Murder Case – Incidents related to Shima society

Incidents related to the Shima society – Sanshi Incident

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Andreas Quast

I have written about this before in my Karate 1.0 from 2013. Here I will expand about it. The Sanshi Incident was a murder case of a prefectural official in Okinawa Prefecture in the early Meiji period. The name of … Continue reading →

Posted in Shima Society, Wikipedia JP | Tagged , | Comments Off on Incidents related to the Shima society – Sanshi Incident

Shima society

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Andreas Quast

Shima society (shima shakai) is a term that describes local communities in Okinawa Prefecture and the Amami Islands. It corresponds to village society (mura shakai) or insular mentality or provinciality (shimaguni konjō) on the mainland. Shima in old Japanese language … Continue reading →

Posted in Shima Society, Wikipedia JP | Comments Off on Shima society