Monat: Juni 2025

Okinawan culture has long been closely intertwined with the tradition of publishing obituaries in daily newspapers. In fact, one of the earliest such obituaries was written by Yabu Kentsū in honor of Itosu Ankō (1831–1915).

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Together with my wife, I took the time and care to track down the obituary that Iraha Chōkō wrote for Kyoda Jūhatsu in the Ryūkyū Shinpō and then translate it.

However, this translation proved to be quite challenging. The first copy we made was extremely difficult to read in many places. For that reason, this year I searched for a clearer version of the newspaper, which I relied on whenever the characters were hard to decipher.

All in all, the project took several weeks, and I’m very pleased to finally present the completed obituary — one that holds quite a few hidden secrets.

A few days ago, I was asked whether I had ever heard anything about a film recording of Miyagi Chōjun in Hawaii. I replied that, while I had read something about such a film, I view the situation with a bit of skepticism.

There is a well-established rumor among Karate researchers that Miyagi was filmed during his stay on Kauai. If such a film exists, I have not found it… yet. I did speak to an old timer who remembered an Okinawan cameraman who lived in Kekaha, Kauai, one of the areas visited by Miyagi. The cameraman reportedly moved back to Okinawa before the war – perhaps the film returned with him! – Goodin, Charles C., Chojun Miyagi’s Visit to Hawaii, Dragon Times, Vol. 17

Charles Goodin’s statements were published around the turn of the millennium. After that, it was quiet for years regarding any possible film recordings. When I received this inquiry, I recalled some comments I had read in a Gōjū-ryū Karate group in 2024. I have decided not to mention the names of those involved.

Person (1): There are rumors that in Hawaii there are old videos of Miyagi Sensei performing Katas….Oss

Person (2): Person (1) Yes. I have seen one video of him doing a version of superunpei in what looks like a town center with a group of onlookers.

Person (1): Person (2) any idea why they dnt post it? It would be Superb for the Goju Ryu practitioners….Oss

Person (2): Person (1) as I understand it the current owner of the original film wants to sell it so no public posting. I do know the film has been transferred to video.

Person (3): Person (2) did his Suparinpei look like any of his students? Yagi, Miyazato, Toguchi, etc

Person (2): Person (3) Well it’s been a few years since I saw it. I do remember it been called Pichurin by the announcer and it looked really powerful. There were a few moves I did not recognize from the version I was taught at the Jundokan but I can’t be more specific sorry.

Let it be noted here that, up to this point, I have not found any indication in Japanese sources that the kata Sūpārinpei was demonstrated at a public performance. As mentioned in my report, only the kata Sanchin, Tenshō, Seisan, and Seipai were performed.

If new information about a possible film should surface, I would of course be very happy to see that footage myself.