Monthly Archives: January 2024

A Revival of Kongo no Kon

Posted on January 26, 2024 by Andreas Quast

It was just one or two weeks ago that Mr. X asked if I knew something about a certain bō-kata, or made a movie about it etc. I immediately knew what was going on and had a guess which dōjō … Continue reading →

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Soeishi no Kon – Fusion-Edition.

Posted on January 20, 2024 by Andreas Quast

The following excerpt from by Tawada Shinjun (1973) was translated by Motobu Naoki Sensei. Soeishi no Kon […] was handed down by the Soeishi family who held the post of the martial arts instructor of the king of Ryūkyū. It … Continue reading →

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Traditional Okinawan Performing Arts: Lion Dance

Posted on January 18, 2024 by Andreas Quast

Kabira, Ishigaki City. The lion “wakes up” at the start of the practice for the festival for requests and expressions of thanks to the gods (Keigan Festival) held in the 8th month of the lunisolar calendar. This lion dance is … Continue reading →

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Ancient Martial Arts of the Ryukyu Islands – Mekata-bo

Posted on January 7, 2024 by Andreas Quast

The video at the end is a remake taken from an Okinawan Mēkata-bō. In particular, this Mēkata-bō was designated an Intangible Folk Cultural Asset on June 27, 1990. Mēkata-bō is the opening dance for purification on stage or at festivals, … Continue reading →

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Taketomi’s “Arm Stick” – Ancient Jūjutsu-like techniques embodied in a harvest dance

Posted on January 6, 2024 by Andreas Quast

One of the performing arts of Taketomi Town is the “Arm stick” (udibō), a dance that includes the use of arms and forearms like a bō, i.e., a weapon. It is performed by women of Nakasuji hamlet. The performing arts … Continue reading →

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