Tag Archives: Karate

Karate, Tōde, and “The Reconciliation of Nanzan and Hokuzan”

Posted on April 9, 2022 by Andreas Quast

As mentioned previously, in 2021, a list of “100 Footprints of Modern Karate” were published in the Okinawa Times. Of course, “Modern Karate” here refers to the period since the establishment of Okinawa Prefecture in 1879. In this list, footprint … Continue reading →

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Karate and Kobudo in Okinawa, 1896

Posted on February 27, 2020 by Andreas Quast

At the end of the 19th century, karate consisted of bare-knuckle two-person bouts that included clinching, and wrestling. Bojutsu was known, as was Nunchaku. I know, it is nothing new, neither for you nor anybody else 🙂 ——————————————— From: “KARATE … Continue reading →

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Okinawan Samurai — The Instructions of a Royal Official to his Only Son

Posted on May 3, 2018 by Andreas Quast

Troubled about the future of his only son and heir, a royal government official of the Ryukyu Kingdom wrote down his ‘Instructions’ as a code of practice for all affairs. Written in flowing, elegant Japanese, he refers to a wide … Continue reading →

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Karate no omoide (My Memories of Karate)

Posted on January 21, 2017 by Andreas Quast

The article “Karate no omoide” (My Memories of Karate) is a primary source about Kyan Chōtoku’s life and his relation to karate. The article was published on 1942-05-07 in the Okinawa Shinpō Newspaper. The Okinawa Shinpō was a result of the … Continue reading →

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Kinjo Hiroshi on Basil Hall’s Visit to Ryukyu

Posted on December 17, 2016 by Andreas Quast

As you know, 200 years ago, in 1816, Basil Hall reached Okinawa. The following is from: Kinjō Hiroshi: Karate kara karate made (From karate 唐手 to karate 空手), 2011. Translation (incl. all possible mistakes) by Andreas Quast. The British Royal Navy’s “The Voyage … Continue reading →

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Throws & Locks

Posted on March 30, 2016 by Andreas Quast

Throws & locks in Karate are the scoop of the year, rightly. While discussing the topic, the perspective is usually that of the executor of a technique (tori 取り): he applies locks and throws. But what did the initial attacker … Continue reading →

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Karate Training Places in 1898, 1899, show Division by Ideology

Posted on March 6, 2016 by Andreas Quast

In 1898 and 1899 the first notes on training places of Karate in Okinawa appear in newspaper articles. From these early descriptions it can be seen that Karate was taught in the context of political activity and ideology. In the … Continue reading →

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On the name of Seiyunchin, and why the theories of Karate are “contingent”

Posted on August 21, 2015 by Andreas Quast

Research on some of the most important topics in Karate Kobudo is almost exclusively carried out by individuals. One example is the Bubishi, which basically had been dug out by private endeavors only. One minor example is research into Kata names. Research in Karate is … Continue reading →

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The Chuzan Mon on Ayajo Boulevard

Posted on May 11, 2015 by Andreas Quast

Within the construction of the Shuri castle walls there were numerous gates. In olden times there was a gate called Chūzan-mon, which was of the same type as the Shureimon. Unfortunately, the Chūzan-mon was demolished in 1908 due to obsolescence. … Continue reading →

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Random thoughts on the term “Enbu”

Posted on May 2, 2015 by Andreas Quast

Investiture envoy Wang Ji for 1683 noted on a place for drill in arms and for the practice of martial arts in Naha, used by the officers and men of the Tenshikan (the lodgings of the Investiture envoys and their followers, … Continue reading →

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