Category Archives: Unknown Ryukyu

Chiishi and Ishi-sashi — Traditional athletic culture (undo bunka) of Okinawa

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Andreas Quast

At the beginning of the 20th century, while young men’s associations in all places worked to promote sports, the Young Men’s Associations of Shimajiri County carried out a survey about recreational pastimes: “Right now, this county’s citizens compete in only … Continue reading →

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Where dragons look

Posted on November 14, 2020 by Andreas Quast

A photo of Shuri Castle main hall (seiden) taken in 1877 was confirmed. It is the oldest photo of Shuri Castle. The photo was taken by Jules Joseph Gabriel Revertégat (1850-1912), a French lieutenant of the Navy who was on … Continue reading →

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Zen Nihon Karate-dō Renmei – High summer inquiry, 1956

Posted on August 23, 2020 by Andreas Quast

Zen Nihon Karate-dō Renmei – High summer inquiry President Sai Chōkō Vice president Konishi Yasuhiro Vice president Kinjō Hiroshi Board chairman Nakamura Norio (member of the Kanbukan) Izumikawa Kanki – consultant (Senbukan Gōjū-ryū, Ryūkyū Kobudō) Teshirogi Tadashi – consultant Ishiguro … Continue reading →

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Spiking the jujube date

Posted on July 12, 2020 by Andreas Quast

One of the very few technical terms of old-style karate still currently handed down in Okinawa is kōsā. The original designation koza changed over time and was mostly forgotten or simply replaced by modern Japanese terminology, namely by the terms … Continue reading →

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Sanchin

Posted on June 23, 2020 by Andreas Quast

It seems that Higashionna Kanryō trained Sanchin as a technique to acquire skill. Miyagi on the other hand thought there was already enough practice of kaishu-gata, but heishu-gata were lacking. He began to aim at physical education and martial arts … Continue reading →

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What’s in a hairpin?

Posted on June 6, 2020 by Andreas Quast

Various experts repeatedly likened karate to Ryūkyūan dance. For example, Funakoshi Gichin wrote that “As a martial art unique to Okinawa, the Mēkata dances of the rural areas are the same as not yet developed karate.” (1) More than a … Continue reading →

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German-Ryukyuan Contacts in the 19th Century

Posted on March 23, 2020 by Andreas Quast

There were only few contacts between Germany and Ryukyu in the 19th century. The first German to reach the Ryukyu Kingdom was probably missionary Dr. Karl Friedrich August Gützlaff (1803–1851), who reached Okinawa in 1832 on a British ship. The … Continue reading →

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Udun (Okinawa)

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Andreas Quast

(from Japanese Wikipedia, translation by Andreas Quast) Udun is a term mainly used as a name for the residences of Ryūkyū royal family members, or otherwise as a honorary title for the people who live there. Overview Udun generally refers … Continue reading →

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Yoshimura Udun

Posted on March 9, 2020 by Andreas Quast

(from Japanese Wikipedia, translation by Andreas Quast) Real family name Shō(2nd Dynasty of the Royal Shō-clan) Progenitor Yoshimura Ōji Chōgi Classification Ryūkyū royal family Birthplace Ryūkyū Kingdom, Shuri Main home Ryūkyū Kingdom, Shuri Prominent figures Yoshimura Ōji Chōken, Yoshimura Aji … Continue reading →

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Yoshimura Chōmei

Posted on March 8, 2020 by Andreas Quast

(from Japanese Wikipedia, translation by Andreas Quast) Yoshimura Chōmei (October 10, 1830 – January 9, 1898) was the 3rd-generation head of the Yoshimura Udun and a government official and politician during the closing days of the Ryūkyū kingdom. He is … Continue reading →

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