Category Archives: Book Reviews

Map of school distribution and diffusion of karate (outside the capital of Naha)

Posted on December 6, 2020 by Andreas Quast

1900-10-25: At the inauguration ceremony of the Aguni Elementary School, residents performed “staff dance” (bō-odori) (Ryūkyū Shinpō, November 9, 1900). 1905-01-04: A victory celebration party for the surrender of Port Arthur was held at Heianza Higher Elementary School, and karate … Continue reading →

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Karate-do Taikan – 2017 reissue by Gajumaru Shoten

Posted on November 25, 2020 by Andreas Quast

The “Karate-do Taikan” was compiled by Nakasone Genwa and puplished in 1938.It is a comprehensive book with numerous rare photos and drawings as well as text and many descriptions of kata, training equipment and much more. Among the rare records … Continue reading →

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Funakoshi and the Museum of Education in Tokyo

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Andreas Quast

The following passage shows how sporting goods manufacturer’s and distributor’s associations in Japan sponsored various sporting events since the 1920s, including events in which karate was showcased (Nakamura et al. 2008: 1-2). At the Peace Memorial Tokyo Expo held in … Continue reading →

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Resolution on the Declaration of “Karate Day”

Posted on October 27, 2020 by Andreas Quast

In the distant old times, about 700 years ago, karate was born in this region of Okinawa. Our ancestors created the world-class traditional culture called karate in symbiosis with Okinawa’s rich nature and geographical features. It was initially called “ti” … Continue reading →

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空手の日宣言に関する決議

Posted on October 27, 2020 by Andreas Quast

参考資料『沖縄空手古武道事典』2008年、7頁。

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Choosing a bo

Posted on October 20, 2020 by Andreas Quast

In choosing or making a bo that suits your physics and your style of executing techniques, there are a few things to consider. In the following, I will list what I think are the most critical points. 1. Kind of … Continue reading →

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WKF Official Kata List – Development 2012 | 2013 | 2020

Posted on October 6, 2020 by Andreas Quast

The table below shows the development of the official WKF kata between 2012 and 2020. To explain it briefly: Until 2012, JKF/WKF kata were assigned to the four major styles of Japanese karate, namely Shito, Shotokan, Goju, and Wado. Then, … Continue reading →

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1850 embassy to Edo

Posted on July 9, 2020 by Andreas Quast

The photo taken recently (2019) by my friend Akuseru Hainrihi shows the “Ryū-jin Gyōretsu no Zu” 琉人行列之図, or “Illustration of the Procession of Ryūkyūans (to Edo).” These processions were called EDO-NOBORI. This EDO-NOBORI took place in 1850. In that year, prince Tamagawa … Continue reading →

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Approaching a core issue of Okinawa Kobudo

Posted on July 4, 2020 by Andreas Quast

In the bōjutsu tradition of Taira Shinken, we find a rarely seen pole weapon: the Kushaku-bō 九尺棒 (ca. 273 cm long staff). Early sources do not mention it but say that  “The Okinawan bō is either Rokushaku (ca. 182 cm) … Continue reading →

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A bare-handed man boxing

Posted on June 27, 2020 by Andreas Quast

Note the calligraphy in the upper middle of the photography. It shows the phrase “a handless man boxing” (無手人行拳), read from right to left. The phrase was taken from “The Quiet Hermitage”, a Chinese collection of 100 Zen Buddhist theoretical … Continue reading →

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