Monthly Archives: January 2020

Motobu Chōki: “My Art and Skill of Karate” (1932)

This translation was created in close cooperation with the author’s grandson, Motobu Naoki sensei. It also includes a congratulatory address by the author’s son, Motobu Chōsei sensei, the current head of the school. Moreover, this year marks the 150th anniversary of Motobu Chōki’s birth. In other words, three generations of the Motobu family were involved in this new translation, connecting the history and tradition of karate from the 19th to 21th century. Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, Publications, Translations, Unknown Ryukyu | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Motobu Chōki: “My Art and Skill of Karate” (1932)

OKKJ, Part 1: Karate. Chapter 1 – Definition and Categories of Karate. 2. The Classification of Karate. (4) Dance karate (buyō karate).

Translated from: Takamiyagi Shigeru, in: Okinawa Karate Kobudō Jiten, 2008, p. 84 – 85. Historically speaking, martial arts (bujutsu) intended to kill during the warring states period, became martial arts (bugei) during the peaceful Tokugawa period, by adding to it … Continue reading

Posted in Translations | Comments Off on OKKJ, Part 1: Karate. Chapter 1 – Definition and Categories of Karate. 2. The Classification of Karate. (4) Dance karate (buyō karate).

OKKJ, Part 1: Karate. Chapter 1 – Definition and Categories of Karate. 2. The Classification of Karate. (3) Health karate (kenkō karate).

Translated from: Takamiyagi Shigeru, in: Okinawa Karate Kobudō Jiten, 2008, p. 84. As mentioned earlier, Okinawan karate has historically been proud about its traditional traits based on the three methods of moral practice, self-defense, self-defense, and physical education.  This tradition … Continue reading

Posted in Translations | Comments Off on OKKJ, Part 1: Karate. Chapter 1 – Definition and Categories of Karate. 2. The Classification of Karate. (3) Health karate (kenkō karate).

OKKJ, Part 1: Karate. Chapter 1 – Definition and Categories of Karate. 2. The Classification of Karate. (2) Competition (sport) karate (kyōgi karate).

Translated from: Takamiyagi Shigeru, in: Okinawa Karate Kobudō Jiten, 2008, p. 81 – 84. Karate became a discipline of the National Athletic Meet in 1981, at the Shiga National Athletic Meet. In Okinawa, competition karate (kyōgi karate) has received attention … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, Translations | Comments Off on OKKJ, Part 1: Karate. Chapter 1 – Definition and Categories of Karate. 2. The Classification of Karate. (2) Competition (sport) karate (kyōgi karate).

OKKJ, Part 1: Karate. Chapter 1 – Definition and Categories of Karate. 2. The Classification of Karate. (1) Martial arts karate (budō karate).

Translated from: Takamiyagi Shigeru, in: Okinawa Karate Kobudō Jiten, 2008, p. 79 – 81. Based on the characteristics supported by both its history and tradition, Okinawan karate can be divided into four types: martial arts karate (budō karate 武道空手), competition … Continue reading

Posted in Translations | Comments Off on OKKJ, Part 1: Karate. Chapter 1 – Definition and Categories of Karate. 2. The Classification of Karate. (1) Martial arts karate (budō karate).

OKKJ, Part 1: Karate. Chapter 1 – Definition and Categories of Karate. 1. The Definition of Karate.

Translated from: Takamiyagi Shigeru, in: Okinawa Karate Kobudō Jiten, 2008, p. 77 – 79. 1. The Definition of Karate Karate is a bujutsu and budō to protect yourself empty-handedly, to train your body, and to refine your mind without using … Continue reading

Posted in Translations | Comments Off on OKKJ, Part 1: Karate. Chapter 1 – Definition and Categories of Karate. 1. The Definition of Karate.

The most important source to assess and to reinterpret the old narratives of karate schools

A narrative is a report that adds meaning to, and influences the perception of events among a target group. It is related to a specific field (cultural, political, etc.), conveys values and emotions, and is subject to modification over time. … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews, Fundstücke, New Developments, Theories of Historical Karate in Comparative Perspective, Unknown Ryukyu | Comments Off on The most important source to assess and to reinterpret the old narratives of karate schools

Okinawan “young men groups” and traditional pastimes

Okinawa Kobudo is presented as an almost ancient martial art originally meant for combative purposes. In contrast to this, there are the numerous traditions of Mura-bo (village bojutsu), which are considered non-combative entertainment which developed from older, combative kobudo. Unsurprisingly, … Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews | Comments Off on Okinawan “young men groups” and traditional pastimes

The ti of Chatan Yara, and the kenpō of Tōdī Sakugawa

When was the term tī started to be used? During a roundtable discussion with Nagamine Shōshin, Chibana Chōshin explained as follows: Nagamine: Well, karate existed even before it got handed down from China. Chibana: About this, according to conversations with … Continue reading

Posted in Chatan Yara Kusanku, Postwar Okinawa Karate | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on The ti of Chatan Yara, and the kenpō of Tōdī Sakugawa