Category Archives: Misc

The Dai Nippon Butokukai Name Directory

Posted on November 6, 2019 by Andreas Quast

About the Seirinsho 精錬証 The DNBTK was established on April 17, 1895, with Imperial Prince Komatsunomiya Akihito (1846–1903) as is president. From October 26 to 28, 1895, it held its 1st Butokusai Dai-enbukai 武徳祭大演武会. Nine hundred eighty-nine martial artists from all over the country … Continue reading →

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DID YOU KNOW?

Posted on January 6, 2019 by Andreas Quast

In 1936 Nagamine Shōshin knocked at the door of Motobu Chōki and was accepted to receive instruction in his unique kumite, fragments of which are still found in today’s “Seven Yakusoku Kumite” of the Matsubayashi-ryū. During social intercourse at that … Continue reading →

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Terminology

Posted on November 24, 2018 by Andreas Quast

Introduction The following has taken place: My teacher in Okinawa, a 10th Dan and representant of a world-famous school, scolded me. The reason: I used the terms oi-zuki and jun-zuki as I had learned elsewhere. In this particular school, however, … Continue reading →

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“Kungfu in a Karate uniform”

Posted on October 3, 2018 by Andreas Quast

Considering the transformation from old Karate 唐手 to the Karate 空手 of today, Kinjo Hiroshi in his last book wrote that: “Karate 空手 has become something which only in appearance is reminiscent of (old) Karate 唐手. Strictly speaking, (today’s) Karate … Continue reading →

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Okinawan Samurai — The Instructions of a Royal Official to his Only Son

Posted on May 3, 2018 by Andreas Quast

Troubled about the future of his only son and heir, a royal government official of the Ryukyu Kingdom wrote down his ‘Instructions’ as a code of practice for all affairs. Written in flowing, elegant Japanese, he refers to a wide … Continue reading →

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On a Third Itosu Photo

Posted on February 23, 2018 by Andreas Quast

Recently, I wrote about a first and a second photo showing a man considered to be Itosu Ankō (1831–1915), the father of modern Karate. Some weeks ago my colleague Thomas Feldmann of Hoploblog dug out another photo which we believe … Continue reading →

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Enbusen 演武線

Posted on December 5, 2017 by Andreas Quast

The following is a short text I have translated from the Encyclopedia of Okinawa Karate and Kobudo. It was written by senior Uechi-ryū practitioner Tōbaru Keichō. It gives a quite good overview abut the topic of enbusen. With uke-waza (defenses), tsuki-waza (strikes), … Continue reading →

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空手は「martial art」「martial sport」「martial science」ではない。「martial system」です。

Posted on March 3, 2017 by Andreas Quast

Karate is no supralevel. It is a subspecies, but of what? Of art, sport, or science, or all of it? Actually, both consumers and providers claim that everyone is free to use it in whatever way you like. For example, … Continue reading →

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Bushi Matsumora – The Novel

Posted on January 15, 2017 by Andreas Quast

Previously I wrote about Bushi Matsumora – The Movie. Today it is “Bushi Matsumora – The Novel”. The heroic tales of Matsumora Kōsaku were written down in the novel “Bushi Matsumora” (武士松茂良) by Matsumora Kōnin 松茂良興仁 (pen-name Matsumura Takesaburō 松村竹三郎). … Continue reading →

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Gushiken Shijin and Mukenkan

Posted on August 6, 2016 by Andreas Quast

While living on Okinawa I practiced for some time in the style called Mukenkan. This school was established by Gushiken Shijin 具志堅私人 (1944–1998). The following are some information I collected from two handouts I had been given by Sawada Kiyoshi sensei, … Continue reading →

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