Category Archives: Unknown Ryukyu

Arakaki Ankichi’s Hanging Scroll of a Thunder God

Posted on August 24, 2023 by Andreas Quast

In 1928, at the request of Dr. Iha Magobei, who owned a hospital in Chatan’s Yara Village, Ankichi painted a hanging scroll depicting a god of thunder and composed a poem for it while at a party near Murochi. This … Continue reading →

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The Motobu Udun Tomb

Posted on July 30, 2023 by Andreas Quast

In 2021, after several years of research and reconstruction, the Motobu Udun Tomb was designated a cultural property by Ginowan City. The tomb is of interest as a historical site, but it also has high value as a place related … Continue reading →

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Original Karate mentioned in 1873. No, wait: 1850!

Posted on June 17, 2023 by Andreas Quast

Ernest Mason Satow (1843–1929) was a British diplomat, scholar, Japanologist and a key figure in Anglo-Japanese relations. He is best known in Japan as Satō Ainosuke (佐藤/薩道愛之助). As many people from Okinawa karate circles might know, Satow published his “Notes on … Continue reading →

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10. Tag des 6. Monats 1479: Prozession mit dem Prinzen, dem späteren König Shō Shin

Posted on May 23, 2023 by Andreas Quast

(Nach dem Bericht eines koreanischen Schiffbrüchigen in „Authentische Aufzeichnung der Schönheit der Yi-Dynastie“, übersetzt von Andreas Quast aus Iha Fuyu: Onarigami no Shima, S. 296) Ich und die anderen sahen die Königin Mutter, wie sie zum Umzug erschien. Sie benutzte … Continue reading →

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The girls sold as prostitutes, and the boys as Buddhist priests…

Posted on November 15, 2022 by Andreas Quast

Typically, most members of the karate community oppose or even forbid discussion of certain topics. For instance, the topic of the involvement of Okinawan karate people in Japanese imperialism, colonialism, and militarism until the surrender in 1945 is carefully and … Continue reading →

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Sai Taitei’s Chinese Poetry and Red Light Districts in Ryūkyū

Posted on November 15, 2022 by Andreas Quast

Sai Taitei was born in 1823 and he was from Kume Village. Later in life he succeeded his father’s post to become Ikei Pechin (an assistant estate-steward of Ikei Village belonging to Yonashiro District). It is presumed that he traveled … Continue reading →

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Kuwae no Kon (a.k.a. Torisashi Umē no Kon)

Posted on October 22, 2022 by Andreas Quast

Yesterday, I received note about a rare bō kata of Okinawa. It is almost unknown in both name and technique, let alone its history. Almost. Names The name of the kata is Kuwae no Kon, and it is also known … Continue reading →

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Kunjan Sabakuyi 2

Posted on October 14, 2022 by Andreas Quast

Here is another example of the “Kunjan Sabakuyi” performing art. Watch until the end to see a posture reminiscent of “Kusanku” of karate, or “Sakugawa no Kon” and several other kata of bojutsu. Just to be clear: I am not … Continue reading →

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Kunjan Sabakuyi

Posted on October 14, 2022 by Andreas Quast

For the Ryukyu royal government, the Yanbaru mountain forests in northern Okinawa were important resources for materials used in construction and shipbuilding, and as firewood and charcoal. Isn’t it said that Higaonna Kanryo transported “firewood” with a boat type referred … Continue reading →

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The recontextualization of “Eisa”

Posted on August 10, 2022 by Andreas Quast

Once limited to the Festival of the Dead within villages, by villagers, and in a religious context, in postwar Okinawa Eisa has been transformed to an all year festival entertainment performed everywhere and without any religious context. In short: Today’s … Continue reading →

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