Karate Kenkyū Shitsu

The TOGKF (Traditional Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate-Do Federation) is still a relatively young organization, yet the roots of the association itself already go back to 1979, and today it is represented very strongly on an international level. I personally have never been, nor am I currently, a member of the organization. Nevertheless, I have many friends within the TOGKF, and this is exactly how the connection I would like to write about came into existence.

It all actually began because I had already been friends with one of the members on Facebook for quite some time. As fate would have it, both of us happened to be in Naha, Okinawa, in January 2024, and we were even staying at the same hotel. After my very first night struggling with jet lag, we met early in the morning at the hotel and briefly spoke with one another. I had just returned from shopping — in Japan many supermarkets are open 24 hours a day — while my friend Thomas Krekel was already on his way to work.

During the trip we met many more times, and one morning we eventually arranged to have breakfast together. In the end, there were five of us sitting together, including another Gōjū-ryū karateka. During breakfast, Thomas told us that it would be a great pleasure for him if we could write a seminar report about the upcoming TOGKF Hawaii Gasshuku — a gasshuku intended to commemorate Miyagi Chōjun’s journey to Hawaii 90 years earlier.

I immediately agreed, though with one condition: instead of writing only one report, I wanted to write two — one report about the TOGKF gasshuku itself, and another about Miyagi Chōjun’s actual journey to Hawaii in 1934.

The gasshuku eventually took place in April 2024, and the report was published in January 2025 — almost exactly 90 years after Miyagi Chōjun had left Hawaii again in 1935.

90th Anniversary of Miyagi Chōjun‘s Visit to Hawaii – A Martial Arts Demonstration – Part 1: Miyagi Chōjun – A Journey from Okinawa to Hawaii with Karate Demonstration and Seminars in 1934 (in English)

90th Anniversary of Miyagi Chōjun‘s Visit to Hawaii – A Martial Arts Demonstration – Part 2: TOGKF Hawai‘i Seminar in 2024 (in English)

The report was received very positively within the TOGKF, and shortly afterward I was invited to the 3rd European Gasshuku of the TOGKF. I was asked whether I would be willing to give a historical lecture about Miyagi Chōjun and Gōjū-ryū during the event — a request I was naturally very happy to accept immediately.

In the meantime, I also had the opportunity to watch a demonstration by TOGKF members during the 49th Nihon Kobudō Enbu Taikai. This event takes place every year at the famous Budōkan in Tōkyō, and every two years TOGKF members are also invited to perform there.

My lecture at the gasshuku brought me a great deal of positive feedback, something that made me very happy despite my nervousness. At the same time, it was also my very first live lecture, and naturally it left me with a strong desire to continue giving presentations of this kind in the future.

As already mentioned, I am not a Gōjū-ryū karateka — my lineage is Tō’on-ryū, a style which also has historical connections with Higaonna Morio sensei. Higaonna sensei once visited Beppu in order to see Tō’on-ryū for himself, and he later wrote a short report about it which was published in Gekkan Karate-dō. In addition, when the 4th Sōke of Tō’on-ryū first began practicing karate, his earliest steps were taken at Higaonna sensei’s Yoyogi Dōjō in Tōkyō.

During a shared dinner in Beppu on February 14th, I told Ikeda sensei that I would soon be giving a lecture — news that made both him and the other participants very happy.

At the gasshuku in Halle, I also presented Kuramoto sensei with a photographic gift showing Higaonna Kanryō sensei — the patriarch of both Gōjū-ryū and Tō’on-ryū — in extraordinary detail and clarity. I sincerely hope that the image will find a beautiful place within the dōjō in the future.

The image itself was extracted from a group photograph that remains in the private possession of the Kyoda family. It was Kyoda Jūhatsu sensei himself who preserved this image from the flames of war. Naturally, I hope that the property and legacy of the Kyoda family will continue to be respected and protected — although unfortunately that hope was quickly diminished. But envy is perhaps as old as sin itself.

Therefore, I kindly ask people to keep the following in mind: if anyone happens to encounter an extremely detailed version of this photograph — one where even the cords of the suit can be seen in absolute clarity, perhaps even colorized — then the image was obtained illegally. And that is simply a fact.

But I am drifting away from the main story.

The gasshuku itself was a truly wonderful event, organized in an exceptionally professional manner and leaving no wishes or questions unanswered. During the seminar, I had the pleasure of meeting many new friends. I was able to hear fascinating stories about how Gōjū-ryū karate spread throughout countries such as Belgium, South Africa, Moldova, and many other parts of the world.

I especially connected very quickly with the Polish community. One reason for this was my teacher, Jhonny Bernaschewice, who was very well known in Poland, gave countless seminars there, and continues to be deeply respected.

I am already looking forward to maintaining many of these new friendships and acquaintances, and I sincerely hope to see many of them again very soon.

If anyone is interested in organizing a lecture together with me in the future, please feel free to contact me personally. I work independently of any organization and maintain friendships across many different Gōjū-ryū associations.

The year is not yet halfway over, but many highlights have already occurred in the first months; unfortunately, there have also been a few delays.

My major trip to Japan was planned for January/February. I had the opportunity to train as a guest for one day at the Kōmeikan Dōjō under Miyagi Tōru Sensei and was also able to gain a brief insight into Sanseiru. In addition, I was once again given the opportunity to write a report on this year’s Nihon Kobudō Enbu Taikai, which naturally required attending the demonstration as a guest.

Subsequently, I had the opportunity to train for six days under the personal guidance of Hayasaka Yoshifumi Sensei. After that, I traveled directly to Beppu to train under Ikeda Shigehide Sensei. There, I had the strenuous but rewarding fortune of passing my Shodan examination. After Beppu, I traveled to Kumamoto for three days—there, a reunion between the Sōke of Tō’on-ryū and the grandson of Kyoda Jūhatsu was on the agenda. On that occasion, I had the great honor of viewing Kyoda Sensei’s photo album.

Shortly after returning from Japan, I came across an announcement: the local sports club in my village was seeking a new karate instructor. After sending a brief message to Japan to request permission, I thankfully received a positive response. Following a short interview with the sports club, everything was arranged, and I will begin on May 21.

In the meantime, I was also invited to another seminar and championship, namely the German Judo Championship in Duisburg. The event is held under the theme “100 Years of the German Judo Championship”: everything began in 1926 in Cologne and is now being celebrated 100 years later. I am very pleased to be part of this celebration.

In addition, I had the opportunity to edit two books. One has already been completed and can be ordered—I will report on it later—while the other is not yet fully finished.

My/our translation of the biography of Miyagi Chōjun is still in progress and will hopefully be completed soon. However, another book may be published beforehand—I will present it soon. The Gekkan Hiden series is also continuing, and two further articles have already been submitted. The Ōshiro Toshihiro interview is currently in print and will soon appear in Toshiya.

For now, however, I am focusing on the final preparations for the TOGKF European Gasshuku, where I will deliver a lecture on the history of Gōjū-ryū.

Some time ago, I translated the obituary of Kyoda Jūhatsu sensei, written by his senior Okinawan student, Iraha Chōkō sensei. In this text, Iraha reflects upon his former teacher in a tone marked by both respect and warmth.

Within the obituary, Iraha recounts a meeting in Beppu. I would therefore like to present his words to the reader directly.

„After the training, we would take a moment to rest, and eventually, my teacher would offer me a cup. As I listened to his voice again after such a long time, with each cup we shared, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. Conversations of the old days resurfaced, and the lonely hometown transformed into the legendary realm of Wuling (FN 1). I was deeply moved by my teacher’s profound affection, feeling an overwhelming sense of gratitude. My wish for his health and well-being only grew stronger.“

According to Kyoda’s grandson, Iraha visited Beppu on numerous occasions and remained vividly remembered by him. Iraha sensei also supported him in his study of kanji.

In the text, Iraha makes reference to Wuling—an allusion to a utopian realm whose origins lie in the classical Chinese fable of the Peach Blossom Spring.

This passage is of particular interest, as Beppu has come to hold a similar significance for me: a place in which I can devote myself entirely to training, communicate exclusively in Japanese, and, to a certain extent, withdraw from the distractions of the outside world.

It is my sincere hope to return to Beppu in the near future and to continue my training there.

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FN 1 – Iraha referred to the story of the Peach Blossom Spring (Táohuāyuán Jì, 桃花源记), a famous Chinese fable written by Táo Yuānmíng 陶淵明 (365-427) during the Eastern Jin dynasty (317-420). It tells of a fisherman from Wuling who accidentally discovers a hidden utopia while following a stream lined with blooming peach trees. Inside this secluded valley, the people live in harmony with nature, free from the troubles of the outside world and unaware of political upheavals. For an English translation of the text, see Birch, Cyril (1965): Peach Blossom Spring, pp. 167–168, in Anthology of Chinese Literature – From Early Times to the Fourteenth Century.

After my return from Japan, I devoted considerable attention—among many other subjects—to the study of White Crane Boxing, consulting both early Japanese and Chinese sources. It would still be premature to state that I am definitively planning a journey to Fujian; however, an initial, albeit tentative, idea has already begun to take shape in my mind.

At times, curious coincidences arise: only recently, I asked a friend who had just returned from Yongchun whether he knew the exact addresses of certain locations there. Just one day later, a documentary was published that presents precisely these places. Although I had already been aware for several years that they are located in Yongchun, their exact positions had remained uncertain to me until now. At present, however, I am considerably better informed.

Even though the idea has not yet been fully consolidated, it is clear to me that this journey will take place at some point in the future.

Before such a journey can be realized, however, careful preparation is required. None of my previous travels has ever taken place without thorough planning, sometimes extending over several months. Each individual day is meticulously structured, and in many cases it is advisable to have alternative arrangements—what one might call a “plan B.” Time is a valuable resource, especially when traveling, and I do not take kindly to wasting it. For this reason, every aspect must be carefully considered and organized in advance. Travel days, in my experience, are therefore often scheduled for Sundays (at least during my stays in Japan).

Reviews constitute a central component of the marketplace operated by Amazon. They influence how products are perceived, which items appear more prominently in search results, and the degree of trust potential buyers place in an offer. Alongside authentic reviews, however, there also exists the problem of purchased reviews, which can distort the evaluation system.

For the purpose of illustration, a simplified model using the three categories F, C, and E may be employed.

F – “Five-Star Feedback”

In this example, the letter F stands for Five-Star Feedback, that is, highly positive reviews awarding five stars.

Typical characteristics include:

• a very high star rating

• strongly laudatory descriptions

• recommendations directed toward other buyers

Such reviews frequently arise from genuine satisfaction. Nevertheless, precisely these kinds of evaluations are also the ones most commonly purchased or artificially generated, since they exert the strongest positive influence on the perceived quality of a product.

Connection with Purchased Reviews

Certain sellers attempt to make their products appear more attractive by compensating individuals in return for writing a positive review.

Typical forms include:

• monetary payments

• free products

• discount codes provided in exchange for a review

Practices of this kind violate the policies of Amazon; nevertheless, they continue to occur on online marketplaces.

C – “Critical Comment”

The letter C represents a Critical Comment, that is, a review expressing criticism.

Characteristic features include:

• a lower star rating

• indications of problems or defects

• detailed criticism

Critical reviews are particularly valuable for buyers because they reveal potential weaknesses of a product. At the same time, they can serve as a counterbalance to excessively positive or manipulated reviews.

In some instances, sellers even attempt to have critical reviews removed or marginalized, since such evaluations may negatively affect sales.

E – “Experience Review”

The letter E denotes an Experience Review, meaning a review that describes the user’s personal experience with the product.

Typical contents include:

• everyday usage

• long-term observations

• concrete examples of practical application

Reviews of this kind are often regarded as especially credible because they contain detailed information and do not resemble mere advertising statements. For this reason, it is frequently easier to determine whether such a review is authentic or potentially artificial.

How Purchased Reviews May Be Identified

Buyers frequently consider several indicators in order to recognize potential manipulation:

• an unusually large number of F-reviews within a short period

• very similar wording across multiple reviews

• extremely brief or overly general texts

• a pronounced imbalance between positive and critical evaluations

Platforms such as Amazon attempt to identify and remove such reviews through technical measures and moderation.

Comparison with Academic Scholarship

A useful comparison can be made with academic research and scholarly publications. In scientific work, the correct citation of sources is of fundamental importance. Authors are expected to document precisely which sources they used and where specific information originates. Incorrect quotations, missing references, or inaccurate bibliographic data are considered serious scholarly errors.

In addition, the academic world possesses systematic mechanisms for tracking how often a work is cited. Databases and search systems such as Google Scholar record how frequently a book or article is referenced by other publications. This process, often referred to as citation tracking, allows researchers to follow how frequently a work is cited and how scholarly discussions develop over time.

Through such systems, academic literature forms a traceable network of references. Scholars are able to see both the sources used in a publication and later works that cite it. Consequently, the reliability and influence of a work can be evaluated more systematically than is typically the case with ordinary consumer reviews.

Compared with these academic standards, online product reviews are far less rigorous. While scholarly writing requires precise references and verifiable documentation, reviews on commercial platforms generally do not undergo such scrutiny.

Personal Note on Writing Reviews

Personally, I write very few reviews. My guiding principle is not to lie and not to write embellished or artificially positive evaluations. If I were to write reviews more frequently, I would analyze the respective book down to the smallest detail and evaluate it accordingly.

This would also include examining the accuracy of translations and the reliability of the scholarly apparatus. If, for instance, passages of text were translated incorrectly, entire sections had been omitted, or completely incorrect source references had been provided, these issues would necessarily be reflected in the evaluation.

Under such a methodical and critical examination, it would naturally be unlikely that a product would receive a Five-Star rating.

The Problem of Review Bombing

Another phenomenon that illustrates the limitations of online review systems is review bombing. This term refers to coordinated actions in which large numbers of users deliberately submit extremely negative ratings within a short period of time in order to damage the public perception of a product, book, film, or game.

Such campaigns are sometimes motivated not by the actual quality of the product but by external controversies, ideological disagreements, or organized online reactions. In these cases, the numerical rating may reflect collective protest rather than a genuine evaluation of the work itself.

Review bombing demonstrates that online rating systems can be influenced not only by purchased positive reviews but also by coordinated negative campaigns. For this reason, numerical ratings alone rarely provide a complete picture, and careful reading of the actual review texts remains essential.

Possible Reactions to Review Bombing

When review bombing occurs, some sellers or authors attempt to counteract the negative wave of ratings in different ways. One possible reaction is the attempt to increase the number of positive reviews in order to rebalance the overall rating. This may happen by encouraging satisfied readers or customers to leave their own honest reviews.

In more questionable cases, individuals may attempt to purchase positive reviews or ask acquaintances and friends to write favorable evaluations in order to counteract the negative ratings. While such actions may temporarily influence the numerical rating, they also illustrate how vulnerable online review systems can be to manipulation.

For this reason, both readers and buyers should approach rating systems critically and focus not only on the number of stars but also on the substance and credibility of the written reviews themselves.

The photograph of Higaonna Kanryō has been known for many years. My wife and I intend to address this subject in much greater detail in the future. We have been able to analyze the photograph down to the smallest detail, and we hope to present its history in written form in due course.

For many years I had been searching for the original photograph, and in February of this year I was finally fortunate enough to find it. It was a long search—yet also a very interesting and rewarding one. During the course of this research, I contacted several experts who had previously published the image. In doing so, I received a number of responses, and these answers in turn led to further questions. One of the responses was even rather curious, as the individual in question had used two photographs from different sources and presented them to me as if they were one and the same image. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the search ultimately proved successful.

As an old saying states:
“From the spring one draws the purest water.” (Altmann VI, 405.)

And in the end, I was indeed able to find this very source.

The original image was carefully edited in order to obtain a single portrait of Higaonna Kanryō. White spots were retouched, and several stains on Higaonna’s clothing were likewise removed. Presumed moles on the face, however, were left unchanged.

Every journey eventually comes to an end—unfortunately. But I will return. After my professional life, there is even a plan to remain in Japan permanently—in a country that has grown very close to my heart.

For the present, however, it is time to return to Germany. Previously, the transfer at Frankfurt Airport was facilitated by an underground tunnel connection that functioned as a kind of infrastructural “bridge” between terminals. A comparable solution had long existed at Tokyo International Airport (Haneda Airport). There, passengers arriving at Terminal 2—the so-called ANA Terminal—who were continuing on an international flight did not proceed to the regular baggage claim area. Instead, they were directed to a dedicated bus transfer point. From there, shuttle buses transported them by the most direct route to the International Terminal. Upon arrival, passengers disembarked and were conveyed by elevator directly to passport control. The entire procedure functioned as a time-saving “bridge,” significantly shortening the transfer route.

In the meantime, however, this arrangement has become obsolete. Haneda Airport has established international departures directly from Terminal 2 itself—the ANA Terminal. As a result, passengers connecting to international flights no longer need to travel between terminals by shuttle bus. The previous “bus bridge” has effectively been replaced by an integrated terminal solution, further streamlining the transfer process and eliminating the necessity of inter-terminal ground transport altogether.

Currently, it is no longer possible for Japanese or European airlines to operate flights through Russian airspace. As a result, the journey from Tokyo initially headed toward Alaska, then continued in the direction of the Arctic Circle, and subsequently proceeded over Greenland. From there, the route carried on through the airspace between the British Isles on one side and Norway on the other.

After nearly fourteen hours, the aircraft finally reached Frankfurt am Main. From there, the final flight continued to Hamburg, and upon arrival, the journey concluded with a drive home in the car that had been left parked at the airport.

Yet before crossing this bridge, the journey began early in the morning with a taxi ride from the hotel in Kumamoto to the airport. From there, I took the first flight to Haneda, then continued on to Frankfurt—onward to Hamburg, and finally home by car. A journey that demanded approximately 24 hours of endurance. And yet it is a journey I undertake every year—one during which I meet many friends, maintain existing bridges, and build new ones. A journey into the world of Okinawa Karate and Okinawa Kobudō—indeed, a bridge between Germany and Japan’s traditional Budō culture.

Until next year—when once again it will be said: “It is more important to build bridges than to destroy them”…

As many of my readers already know, Okinawa is a truly unique place. The bond among Okinawans remains remarkably strong, even when they live far from their home island. I have come to understand this through personal experience—my wife is from Okinawa, and over the years she has introduced me to many of the island’s customs and traditions.

It is for this reason that Okinawans often seek connection through so-called Kenjinkai. In many Japanese cities and even overseas, these communities bring together people with ties to Okinawa, offering a warm and welcoming space to maintain relationships and preserve cultural traditions through regular gatherings. Ikeda sensei and I had the pleasure of being invited to such a meeting in Kumamoto. Among the participants was none other than the grandson of Kyoda Jūhatsu, the son of Kyoda Jūkō. We had previously been in contact with him by e-mail through a third party, and he had kindly expressed how much he was looking forward to meeting us in person.

Over the years, the bridge between Tō’on-ryū and the Kyoda family had gradually weakened following the passing of Jūkō sensei in 1983. As Kyoda’s grandson no longer lived in Beppu, and after the deaths of Kanzaki sensei and others, it seemed as though that connection might have been lost. Fortunately, life sometimes unfolds in unexpected and meaningful ways. My wife was contacted via Facebook by a member of the Kyoda family in Okinawa, and through this renewed contact it became possible to rebuild the bridge completely. Today, Tō’on-ryū once again shares strong and heartfelt bonds with the family of Kyoda Jūhatsu.

On this special occasion, I brought along two issues of Gekkan Hiden for each participant, featuring the article on Kyoda Jūhatsu, as well as some chocolate from Germany as a small token of appreciation. To my great surprise, Kyoda’s grandson had already purchased the two issues and told me that he was a great admirer of my writings and that my articles had paid a significant tribute to his grandfather. The meeting soon turned into hours of engaging and lively conversation about Kyoda Jūhatsu. Through his grandson’s generous sharing of memories, we gained invaluable insights—personal stories and family recollections that had never before been made public and were entirely new to us.

To our great surprise, the grandson invited us to his home the following day, explaining that he had already prepared something for us. When we arrived, he showed us photo albums of Kyoda Jūhatsu containing many pictures we had never seen before, as well as Kyoda sensei’s sai, his bō, and other personal belongings. To our astonishment, even the calligraphy by Iraha Chōkō—presented to Kyoda during one of his visits—was still hanging intact in the grandson’s home. He additionally treated us to green tea, banpeiyu, and Japanese sweets. After five hours, including a two-hour interview, it was time to take our leave.

Ikeda sensei had also kindly arranged an additional training opportunity, allowing us to practise together for two more days. We dedicated considerable time to the bōjutsu kata preserved within Tō’on-ryū. Beyond the training itself, we also visited several places connected to the tradition. We were able to see the former school of Jūkō sensei in Kumamoto, as well as the former barracks of Yabu Kentsū sensei, who is associated with Tō’on-ryū through the kata “Yabu no Jion.”

Our time in Kumamoto also included a visit to the Miyamoto Musashi Shrine, where Miyamoto composed his renowned treatise Gorin no Shō, better known in the West as The Book of Five Rings.

After the earlier stages of the journey, our stay in Kumamoto felt far too short. From there, it was time to return to Germany—to my family, to my private dōjō, and to my desk—where two long-awaited books were steadily approaching completion.

Beppu has by now become a familiar city to me. This year marks my fourth visit, and while I know some areas particularly well, others still remain largely unexplored. Beppu possesses a unique atmosphere that is difficult to find in Germany. On the one hand, there is the sea, which is also present in my home region; yet here the mountains rise almost immediately behind it—a geographical feature we do not have in this form in Germany.

My journey took me from Ryūgasaki first by train to Haneda Airport, and from there by plane to Ōita Airport. An airport express bus then brought me to Beppu. As in all the previous years, I stayed at the same hotel—one with an onsen—where I relaxed my muscles twice a day in order to cope with the demands of the intensive daily training.

Prior to my arrival, I had written two Japanese articles about Kyoda Jūhatsu, which I had not yet been able to read in printed form. This time, however, the magazines were sent directly to Beppu, allowing me to receive them there in person.

As in previous years, my daily training followed a familiar rhythm, with a clear focus on deepening and refinement. I also had the opportunity to take my first dan examination in Beppu. Although I had originally decided not to write about my gradings, I feel it is important to mention this occasion, as there will be more to report on it in the future. On Saturday, most members of Tō’on-ryū came together to celebrate, and I am truly grateful to be part of this community.

In addition to the daily training sessions, extensive note-taking, and regular visits to the onsen, I took walks almost every day through Beppu Park and also visited the Ōita Prefectural Library to learn more about the history of the city and the individuals associated with Tō’on-ryū. I also visited several shrines in Beppu to pray for my family and all the friends around me.

I also visited the former house of Kyoda Jūkō sensei, where he lived with his father, as well as the graves of the Kyoda family and the grave of Kanzaki Shigekazu, where I offered prayers for their souls. I expressed my gratitude for being part of Tō’on-ryū Karate-dō and promised to train even more deeply than before.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of Tō’on-kai and Ikeda sensei for the many instructive training days, and I hope to return again as soon as possible, just as I do in Ryūgasaki.

After my stay in Beppu, I traveled together with Ikeda sensei to a very special place—one where research into Tō’on-ryū takes precedence above all else.

Yesterday, before my second training session, I spent some time in the Ōita Prefectural Library, a place I had never visited before. I have been, for example, dozens of times to the Okinawa Prefectural Library, but I had never gone to its Ōita counterpart.

Research in Okinawa is already very advanced. Many researchers have examined the material at a very high level; in fact, research in Okinawa is currently booming. Ironically, some sources in certain Western books are not as accurate as I would wish them to be. Given the notes and findings from the Okinawan side, it is much easier to locate information in the original sources—sources I have always tried to use. I am quite sure that there are many excellent translations of pre-war texts, for example by Motobu Naoki or Joe Swift, to name just a few. However, for me, the original text is always the primary goal, and I deeply believe that for my colleagues it is the same.

Now, returning to the Ōita Prefectural Library: as far as I know, no researcher has ever attempted to research the topic of Tō’on-ryū in Ōita and/or Beppu in any library. This was therefore a new experience, and I may well have been the first to conduct such research there. To my surprise, the newspapers are all available on microfilm. This was also the case in Okinawa when I went there in 2009; however, in recent years, the newspapers there have been printed out. After a short introduction to the microfilm machine, I became accustomed to exploring the newspapers, where I hoped to find relevant information.

After around three hours, I finished my research, and it was time to return to Beppu and prepare for my training. I found approximately one third of the material I was looking for. The remaining material is probably located in the Beppu City Library, which is currently closed. A new building will open at the end of next month, but unfortunately I will already be back in Germany by that time—an adventure goal for next year.

I will include the newly discovered information in my first book on karate history. Stay tuned.