Monthly Archives: October 2022

Inheriting the essence

Posted on October 30, 2022 by Andreas Quast

The following is from an article published in the Okinawa Times: “Inheriting the essence. Faithfully inheriting the ancestor’s kata. Nakazato Takeshi (60), 2nd generation Sōke of Shōrinji-ryū and Chairman of Zen Okinawa Shōrinji-ryū Karatedo Kyōkai. Inheriting the techniques of Chanmī’s … Continue reading →

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Shitsuden and Shinden

Posted on October 30, 2022 by Andreas Quast

The term shitsuden 失伝 means disruption; interruption; non-continuation; to fall into desuetude; the loss of a tradition, a practice, a custom, etc. It can mean the loss of a full tradition, such as a complete school or style (ryūha), or … Continue reading →

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The karate of the “Pechin Class”

Posted on October 27, 2022 by Andreas Quast

A colleague just argued that “karate” came from the Pēchin class of Okinawa. I think this is a oversimplification, and it is also one of those stories based on guesswork and premature conclusions. According to censuses of 1873 and 1880 … 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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Karate ni sente nashi

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Andreas Quast

For Okinawa karate circles, imperialism and militarism are extremely difficult issues. This is because they are seemingly irreconcilable with Okinawa’s postwar karate narratives, its notional philosophies, related marketing campaigns in tourism, and most of all, the recent endeavors to list … Continue reading →

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Ryūkyū no Fūbutsu (Scenes and Cus­toms of Ryūkyū) (1940)

Posted on October 20, 2022 by Andreas Quast

The 1940 movie Ryūkyū no Fūbutsu (Scenes and Cus­toms of Ryūkyū) was planned by the Japan Folk Art Association (Nihon Mingei Kyōkai) and headed by Ya­nagi Muneyoshi (1889–1961), who acted as editorial supervisor. Yanagi was born on March 21, 1889, … Continue reading →

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Kata opening in Gōjū-ryū

Posted on October 20, 2022 by Andreas Quast

In Gōjū-ryū, there are basically two ways of opening at the beginning of the kata: Method 1 a. Stand in Musubi-dachi, with open hands crossed in front of the tanden. b. Open stance to Heikō-dachi while closing the fists and … 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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On the establishment of dan and kyu grading regulations in Okinawa

Posted on October 13, 2022 by Andreas Quast

1882: Establishment of the Kōdōkan by Kanō Jigorō. 1895: Establishment of the Dai Nippon Butokukai. Titles Hanshi, Kyōshi, Renshi. Seirinsho certificates. 1919: The Dai Nippon Butokukai renames bujutsu to budō. 1920: Kōdōkan Judō announces the dan kyū regulation. 1933/12/8: Dai … Continue reading →

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