Monthly Archives: August 2015

Answers over guessing

In 1940, Nagamine Shōshin was awarded the title of Karatejutsu Renshi. In 1956, after the establishment of the Okinawa Karate-do Renmei he served as vice-president together with the first president Chibana Chōshin. Members were Yagi Meitoku (Gōjū-ryū), Nagamine Shōshin (Matsubayashi-ryū),  Chibana Chōshin … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, Unknown Ryukyu | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Answers over guessing

A technique from Fabian von Auerswald, 1539

AD 1539, eighty-five grapplings and escapes as taught by Fabian von Auerswald were published. Auerswald was the grappling instructor at the court of Elector John Frederick of Saxony. Here’s the explanation of one of the techniques. “If he 1) seizes … Continue reading

Posted in Misc | Tagged , | Comments Off on A technique from Fabian von Auerswald, 1539

Kyan Chotoku’s wife, Kama

Posted in Kyan Chotoku, Unknown Ryukyu | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Kyan Chotoku’s wife, Kama

Rensa Sankakubō of the Takaki-ryū

At the age of sixteen Takaki Umanosuke (1656–1746) was awarded gokui (deepest level of the art) by Takagi Oriuemon, the founder of the jūjutsu-style Takaki-ryū Taijutsu. Later Umanosuke learned the jūjutsu-style of Takenouchi-ryū Koshi-no-mawari (i.e. Kogusoku =  armoured grappling). From … Continue reading

Posted in Bojutsu Kata Series | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Rensa Sankakubō of the Takaki-ryū

Short Note on The 36 Families

Compared to other Chinese overseas merchant communities in Southeast Asia, which were more economically successful, the people of Kumemura were more successful in culture and administration, which is considered to be due to the state stipends and privileges provided to … Continue reading

Posted in Unknown Ryukyu | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Short Note on The 36 Families

On the name of Seiyunchin, and why the theories of Karate are “contingent”

Research on some of the most important topics in Karate Kobudo is almost exclusively carried out by individuals. One example is the Bubishi, which basically had been dug out by private endeavors only. One minor example is research into Kata names. Research in Karate is … Continue reading

Posted in Unknown Ryukyu | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on On the name of Seiyunchin, and why the theories of Karate are “contingent”

Karate, Taekwondo, crecent kicks etc.

There is a controversy about the roots of Taekwondo. On the one hand it is said it descended from Karate. Didn’t Ōyama Masutatsu reiterate this theory all the time? Maybe that’s why he was so successful. On the other hand … Continue reading

Posted in Unknown Ryukyu | Tagged , | Comments Off on Karate, Taekwondo, crecent kicks etc.

Flurry styles of Karate?

So I stumbled over this issue of Black Belt Mag from April 1968. Therein appeared an interview with three young men from Okinawa, plannning to stay in the US for maybe four years and maybe open a dojo: Kina Santos, Taba Kensai, … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, Unknown Ryukyu | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Flurry styles of Karate?

Chojun Miyagi’s note on “Baida,” 1936

Jūjutsu and jūjutsu-like systems were known since feudal times in Japan under a multitude of names. The two most common of which were jūjutsu and yawara. Others were: kumiuchi, kogusoku, koshi no mawari, wajutsu, aikijūjutsu, aiki no jutsu, aikijutsu yawarajutsu, … Continue reading

Posted in Unknown Ryukyu | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Chojun Miyagi’s note on “Baida,” 1936

110 YEARS AGO: THE MODERN CHARACTERS FOR KARATE ARE USED FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!

Hanashiro Chōmo (1869–1945) was an Okinawan soldier (infantry) and a physical education and Karate teacher at the Middle School in Shuri. In 1905 he created the basic text book called “Karate Kumite” as a manual for teaching Karate at school. … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, Unknown Ryukyu | Tagged , | Comments Off on 110 YEARS AGO: THE MODERN CHARACTERS FOR KARATE ARE USED FOR THE FIRST TIME!!!