Monthly Archives: October 2015

Sign of the Times – Chatan Yara no Kusanku

Posted on October 31, 2015 by Andreas Quast

To be honest, I personally like the sport version of Chatan Yara no Kūsankū. I also support “sport” as one of the three pillars of modern budō. But here’s why everyone needs to stop calling “Chatan Yara Kūsankū” a “Shitō-ryū … Continue reading →

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Immobilize the terminus

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Andreas Quast

Below is a sketch drawing from a German “grappling” (= unarmed combat) manual dated ca. AD 1545. The same technique is found in various others medieval combat manuals and was a standard application at the time. Wouldn’t this be a piece … Continue reading →

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Miyagi Chojun, October 1935

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Andreas Quast

October 1935, the great tug-of-war of Naha was celebrated on Naha City Tsūdō main street. The men in the photo belonged to the Eastern Party. They had the important task to take care of the kanichibō, i.e. the huge wooden … Continue reading →

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Kasumi

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Andreas Quast

Recently I read about Motobu Choki using the archaic term “kasumi-uchi” instead of the modern “haishu-uchi” for a specific technique in Naihanchi (see photo). It is said that Itosu changed this to “haito-uke” (ridge hand block). Both haishu-uchi as well as haito-uke refer to the body-part used … Continue reading →

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The Surgeon

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Andreas Quast

In 1999 I took part in a Goju-ryu Kata seminar in Sanyo Sports Center, Nara prefecture. Besides practice, everyday evening lectures were given. The organization was very good. One day a lecture was scheduled by a Dr. Tamesue, doctor of … Continue reading →

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Metal artifacts from Old Ryukyu era

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Andreas Quast

Metal artifacts from Old Ryukyu era: Chain or plate armor (kusarikatabira) sewn on a base made of padded cloth or between two layers of fabric. Shuri Sasu-no-Ma excavation. Ferrules called habaki were attached at the base of the blade to … Continue reading →

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The Tradition of the Millipede – Mugai’s deep secret

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Andreas Quast

In Mugai-ryū, “The Tradition of the Millipede” is an ancient catalogue of 40 indispensable recommendations of how to practice the swordmanship of this style. Below in the graphic is #1. Another and better translation is “In practice your heart and … Continue reading →

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Tan’yū

Posted on October 27, 2015 by Andreas Quast

Small work using a dragon painted by Tan’yū (1602–1674) of the Kanō school of painting. The figurative expression means “to see through to the nub”. Among Naha Shizoku, the study of painting, waka, and calligraphy, as well as martial arts, were … Continue reading →

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The Philanthropist

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Andreas Quast

The German “Turner” system of physical education became the prominent system in the Unites States during the early 1800s. It started with three followers of the “Turnvater” F. L. Jahn, namely Carl “Charles” Beck and Carl “Charles” Follen, who reached … Continue reading →

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Ura-waza

Posted on October 18, 2015 by Andreas Quast

Sōke Nagamine Takayoshi was extremely strict when it came to the absolute precise performance of the Kata, including timing and simply everything. However, he also taught a lot of what he referred to as Ura-waza, often during free time, even … Continue reading →

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