Monthly Archives: November 2023

Tsuken Uēkata Seisoku

Posted on November 30, 2023 by Andreas Quast

In the previous article, I wrote about Tsuken no Kon. This kata is said to be one of the oldest bōjutsu of Okinawa, dating back to a certain Tsuken Uēkata Seisoku. According to historian Majikina Ankō (1923), Tsuken Uēkata Seisoku … Continue reading →

Posted in Bojutsu Kata Series, Terminology, The Technique of Okinawa Karate and Kobudo, Theories of Historical Karate in Comparative Perspective, Tsuken | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Tsuken Uēkata Seisoku

Tsuken no Kon

Posted on November 30, 2023 by Andreas Quast

(Note: The following is the translation of the abstract of Yoshifumi Hayasaka’s “Martial arts of the Satsuma Domain that influenced the martial arts of Ryūkyū (Tsuken no Kon)” presented at the 55th Conference of the Japanese Academy of Budo in … Continue reading →

Posted in Equipment, Matayoshi Karate Kobudo - Written sources translated, Matayoshi Kobudo, Postwar Okinawa Karate, Translations, Tsuken | Comments Off on Tsuken no Kon

Was Matsumura a student of Sakugawa?

Posted on November 27, 2023 by Andreas Quast

In Okinawa karate theory and history, there is a train of thought that connects the persons Kūsankū, Sakugawa, and Matsumura Sōkon in sense of an unbroken personal tradition of skill, or of a teacher-student relationship. Like this, you will find … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Comments Off on Was Matsumura a student of Sakugawa?

The Mice Athletic Meet – Reality Check on Okinawa Karate Anecdotes

Posted on November 27, 2023 by Andreas Quast

This is about a story from Kinjo Sensei’s last book. It is a rich book with lots of great insights, theories, technical descriptions, thoughts, attempts at classification, personal experiences and so forth. I particularly liked a story from Kinjo’s youth … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews, Prewar Okinawa Karate, Theories of Historical Karate in Comparative Perspective, Translations | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Mice Athletic Meet – Reality Check on Okinawa Karate Anecdotes

Kinjo Hiroshi and Motobu Choki – Deception is also Part of the Skill

Posted on November 26, 2023 by Andreas Quast

(The following is an episode translated from the stories of the late Kinjo Hiroshi Sensei himself, found on his website) There was a famous master of the fist named Motobu Chōki. Even among the younger generation, those who are training … Continue reading →

Posted in Theories of Historical Karate in Comparative Perspective, Translations | Comments Off on Kinjo Hiroshi and Motobu Choki – Deception is also Part of the Skill

Comparative analysis – Pascha 1663

Posted on November 26, 2023 by Andreas Quast

In comparative analysis of techniques, there are countless similarities between the movements of Okinawan karate kata and the techniques used in historical European martial arts.This example here is just one of a total 130 fighting techniques handed down by Johann … Continue reading →

Posted in Comparative Analyses, HEMA | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Comparative analysis – Pascha 1663

The Four Outer Forms of Postures in Contexts Other than Karate

Posted on November 25, 2023 by Andreas Quast

In my previous article I presented a chapter from Kinjo Hiroshi’s last book. In it he describes “The Four Outer Forms of Postures Discovered by Matsumura.” These four outer forms of postures simply describe how two opponents can face each … Continue reading →

Posted in Postwar Okinawa Karate, The Technique of Okinawa Karate and Kobudo | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Four Outer Forms of Postures in Contexts Other than Karate

The Four Outer Forms of Postures Discovered by Matsumura

Posted on November 25, 2023 by Andreas Quast

(Note: The following is a partly abridged translation of a chapter from Kinjo Hiroshi’s last book. It is presented here for discussion und research purposes for those with ties to Okinawa Karate, particularly those of the Shurite genus.) The Four … Continue reading →

Posted in Postwar Okinawa Karate, Terminology, The Technique of Okinawa Karate and Kobudo, Theories of Historical Karate in Comparative Perspective, Translations | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on The Four Outer Forms of Postures Discovered by Matsumura

Naihanchi of Tomari-te

Posted on November 4, 2023 by Andreas Quast

There is a interesting detail to Nagamine Shōshin sensei‘s Naihanchi, which has rarely been adressed, if ever. Namely, each step in this kata is performed with the leg raise referred to as nami-gashi (lit. returning wave). This continuous nami-gashi is … Continue reading →

Posted in Appropriation, Postwar Okinawa Karate, Prewar Okinawa Karate, Terminology, The Technique of Okinawa Karate and Kobudo, Theories of Historical Karate in Comparative Perspective, Translations | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Naihanchi of Tomari-te