Category Archives: The Technique of Okinawa Karate and Kobudo

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 was neither known for Tsuken-bō nor Jigen-ryū, but for horsemanship

Posted on December 3, 2023 by Andreas Quast

As mentioned before, today Tsuken Uēkata Seisoku is considered the originator of Tsuken Bō and an expert in Jigen-ryū swordmanship. Even an English Wikipedia entry says he “was good at riding horses and Jigen-ryū,” presenting the Kyūyō as the source. The Kyūyō … Continue reading →

Posted in Bojutsu Kata Series, kobudo, Kyūyō, Matayoshi Kobudo, Postwar Okinawa Karate, Prewar Okinawa Karate, The Technique of Okinawa Karate and Kobudo, Translations, Tsuken | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Tsuken was neither known for Tsuken-bō nor Jigen-ryū, but for horsemanship

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 →

Posted in Bojutsu Kata Series, kobudo, Matayoshi Kobudo, Postwar Okinawa Karate, Prewar Okinawa Karate, Terminology, The Technique of Okinawa Karate and Kobudo, Theories of Historical Karate in Comparative Perspective, Tsuken | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Tsuken Akan’chū and the impossibility of a direct personal instruction by Tsuken Uēkata

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 in Contexts Other than Karate

Posted on November 25, 2023 by Andreas Quast

In my previous article I presented a chapter from Kinjo Hiroshi’s last book. In it he describes “The Four Outer Forms of Postures Discovered by Matsumura.” These four outer forms of postures simply describe how two opponents can face each … 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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Sound Effects in Karate Kobudo – Theatralical or Functional?

Posted on August 27, 2023 by Andreas Quast

Sound effects in karate and kobudo are an underestimated part of the art of performance. The best known example of it is slapping the uniform (dogi) with the pull back hand (hiki-te) while executing a technique with the other hand. … Continue reading →

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“Karate Kumite” 1905

Posted on November 23, 2019 by Andreas Quast

In 2016, my new discovery of a photo of Hanashiro Chōmo was featured on the website of the Okinawa Traditional Karate Liaison Bureau. Then, in 2018 I translated and published the Genealogy of Hanashiro. Today I add an overview of … Continue reading →

Posted in Okinawa Peace Theory, Prewar Okinawa Karate, Terminology, The Technique of Okinawa Karate and Kobudo, Theories of Historical Karate in Comparative Perspective, UNESCO Karate | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on “Karate Kumite” 1905