Today, my author’s copy of the new Toshiya issue has arrived. Sanae and I were fortunate enough to interview Ôshiro Zen’ei Sensei last May, and this interview has now finally been published.
We were also lucky to ask Ôshiro Sensei about the Sanseru, as he has learned two versions: one from Jundôkan (Miyazazo Ei’ichi) and another from Shôdôkan (Higa Seikichi). All the answers to our questions can, of course, be found in the current issue.
So, enjoy the read! 😉
I recorded a new podcast (my second one!) with Michael Calandra of „The Martial Truth Podcast“. It will be online today (March 23, 2025).
https://youtu.be/B6yLV1px2Bk?si=uhbi12ni_GM06zEd
In this episode, I talk about my previously published articles (Gekkan Hiden [Japanese], Patreon & BudoJapan [English])—particularly about sourcing and discovering rare newspapers in Japan, Yabu’s role in the First Sino-Japanese War, Tokashiki Iken’s research on Higaonna Kanryō, Tō’on-ryū, Matayoshi Kobudō, Uechi Kanbun, Miyagi Chōjun, the Bubishi and Nepai, as well as future projects. Most of all, I discuss my recent research trip to Japan and Okinawa.
The calligraphy in the background (on the calendar) was drawn by Higa Kiyohiko Sensei and was a gift to me by Higa Kiyohiro Sensei.
Watch here: https://youtu.be/SsT7dOldhR4?si=hK8srysXRU7Aw3s7
⚠️ There is a small mistake in the podcast! It’s not exactly an error—it depends on which edition we’re looking at. If anyone can spot it within 24 hours, please reach out to me! The first person to recognize it will receive a free signed copy of my future book.
I recently bought the latest book by Tokashiki Iken and decided to translate the table of contents.
Okinawa Dentō Karate-dō
Naha-te (Gōjū-ryū) – Tomari-te (Matsumora-ha)
Exploring the Lineage of the Two Major Ryūha
by Tokashiki Iken
Table of Contents
Preface
Concept of Karate-dō
Era of Open Trade and Cultural Exchange with China
Theory of the Introduction of the „Thirty-Six Families“
The era of the Weapon ban policy.
Influence of the Satsuma Domain
Exploring the Roots of Naha-te
Sakiyama Kitoku 崎山喜徳
Sakiyama Kisen 崎山喜選
Tomigusuku Oyakata Seikō 豊見城親方盛綱
Nagahama chikudun pēchin sōhei 長濱筑登之親雲上宗屏
Higa Jūtaru 比嘉重樽
Aragaki Seishō 新垣世璋
Higaonna Kan’yū 東恩納寛裕
Kuniyoshi Shinkichi 国吉真吉
Higaonna Kanryō 東恩納寛量
Yoshimura Chōgi 義村朝義
Kyoda Jūhatsu 許田重発
Miyagi Chōjun 宮城長順
Kamiya Jinsei 神谷仁清
Ura Sōke 宇良宗亀
Higa Seikō 比嘉世幸
Shinzato Jin’an 新里仁安
Iraha Chōkō 伊良波長幸
Fukuchi Seikō 福地清幸
Special Notes: Exploring the Essence of Okinawan Karate
Exploring the Roots of Tomari-te
Teruya Chikudun Pēchin Kishin 照屋筑登之親雲上規箴
Uku Karyū 宇久嘉隆
Maeda Gichō 真榮田義長
Oyadomari Kōkan 親泊興寛
Matsumora Kōsaku 松茂良興作
Yamada Gikei 山田義恵
Maeda Ginin 真柴田義任
Kinjō Chikudun Kinin 金城筑登之紀任
Yamazato (Yamada) Yoshiteru 山里 (山田) 義輝
Kuba Kōhō 久場興保
Iha Kōtatsu 伊波興達
Nakamoto Kōsei 仲本興正
Hokama Seikichi 外間政吉
Maeda Gisei 真栄田義正
Henzan Ryōzen 平安山良善
Hokama Seijun 外間政順
Kuba Chōjin 久場長仁
Nakasone Seiyū 仲宗根正侑
Conclusion
The Public Disclosure of Karate and Its Adoption in School Education
The First Introduction of Karate to Mainland Japan
The First Introduction of Okinawan Karate Overseas
About the Different Styles of Karate
The Future of Karate-dō
Okinawa no Bugi (Jō – Chū – Ge)
Family Genealogy, Burial Sites, Ancestral Tablets, and Related Photographs
Okinawa Gōjū-ryū & Tomari-te Karate-dō Association – List of Officials
Okinawa Karate-dō Gōhaku-kai Lineage Chart
Iraha Chōkō 伊良波長幸 (1901-1986)
„The author had spent several years in Okinawa before its reversion to Japan. At that time, although Okinawa was small, it had a governmental structure comparable to that of an independent nation. There was a legislative body called the Rippōin, which corresponded to a national parliament, and the author often had the opportunity to visit the parliamentary building.
Whenever the author went there, he would always peek into the office of a legislator named Iraha Chōkō and often spent a great deal of time there. As for Iraha’s insight as a legislator, the author, perhaps impolitely, had never given it much thought, so he never asked about political matters.
Iraha always wore a gentle smile and spoke in a low, delicate voice, so soft that it was difficult to make out his words. Their conversations were light and scattered, consisting mostly of small talk. The atmosphere was as calm and pleasant as a spring breeze, making it an exceptionally comfortable place to be.
Though Iraha was already advanced in age, there was not the slightest trace of a martial demeanor in his appearance. He may have been well known as a calligrapher.
Years later, the author heard someone describe him by saying, “Bushi gwā yamishētan dō.” In other words, “He was a Bushi gwā.”
“Bushi gwā” refers to a person who has reached the level of a true master in Karate and is also distinguished by exceptional character and wisdom.“
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I copied the following text from a book. Mario McKenna was kind enough to mention the book title to me; otherwise, I probably would have never known about it.
I brought the book back from my recent trip to Japan. Ironically, Iraha Chōkō passed away when I was just one year old, so of course, it should be impossible for me to have heard his voice… But luckily, I was able to hear it in a very old interview, and his voice was truly “a low, delicate voice, so soft that it was difficult to make out his words.”
More about this in the future !!!
It is no secret that I hold a deep and enduring interest in the history of Tōon-ryū. My research in this field is both extensive and ongoing, encompassing a wide range of Japanese articles and English-language publications—even when Tōon-ryū or its history is mentioned only in passing.
In this context, I would like to introduce two books that reference Tōon-ryū. However, I must also highlight some significant inaccuracies within these works. While I greatly appreciate the effort and dedication that both authors have invested in their research, I believe it is important to address these points for the sake of clarity and accuracy.
Thomas Feldmann has undertaken the commendable task of writing a book about Yabu Kentsū, which, in many respects, is well-researched and informative. Within this book, he briefly touches upon the Tōon-ryū tradition.
Interestingly, Shigekazu Kanzaki (1928-2008), the second head of the Tō’on-ryū school of karate, told a similar story, possibly of the same origin as the one portrayed above, which he had heard from his master Jūhatsu Kyoda (1887-1968), who was Yabu’s student at the Okinawa Normal School. (page 96)
However, there are two notable inaccuracies that deserve mention:
1. Date of Passing of Kanzaki Sensei – Feldmann states that Kanzaki Sensei passed away in 2008. However, the correct date is 2018.
2. Lineage of Tōon-ryū – The book omits mention of Kyoda Jūkō (1926–1983), who was the second Sōke (headmaster) of Tōon-ryū. Kanzaki was, in fact, the third Sōke, and the current head of the school is Ikeda Shigehide, the fourth Sōke.
These details are essential in preserving the accuracy of Tōon-ryū’s historical lineage.
Another recent publication discussing Tōon-ryū is Scot Mertz’s book Ryuhoryu. While the book presents valuable insights, there are a few points that I believe warrant clarification.
1. Misinterpretation of Calligraphy – On page 64, Mertz reproduces a calligraphy by Nakaima Kenkō. However, he mistakenly confuses the names of Kyoda Jūhatsu and his student, Iraha Chōkō. Instead of correctly identifying Kyoda Sensei, Mertz mistakenly refers to Gusukuma Kōki, another student of Higaonna Kanryō—who, however, does not appear in this particular calligraphy.
2. Diagram of Karate Styles – On page 65, Mertz presents a self-made diagram illustrating various Karate styles. The section concerning Tōon-ryū immediately stood out to me. To help clarify the misunderstandings, I would like to provide the correct names of Kyoda Jūhatsu Sensei’s students, along with the corresponding kanji:
It appears that the confusion may have arisen from a misunderstanding of Japanese kanji readings. The Japanese language employs two primary reading methods: the on-yomi (Sino-Japanese reading) and the kun-yomi (native Japanese reading). It seems that Mertz inadvertently listed Kanzaki Sensei’s name in both reading forms, which could mistakenly give the impression that these were two distinct individuals. I would like to clarify that this is not the case—both readings refer to the same person.
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In conclusion, my intention is not to diminish the valuable work of either author but rather to contribute to a more accurate understanding of Tōon-ryū’s rich history. Open and constructive dialogue is essential in maintaining the integrity of martial arts research, and I hope these clarifications serve that purpose.
I deeply respect the dedication required to research and write about these complex subjects and appreciate the efforts both authors have made. It is through such discussions that we can collectively deepen our understanding of these important traditions.
Thank you for your attention and consideration.
Karate Kenkyū Shitsu 