I am currently devoting more time again to studying the soldier and karateka Yabu Kentsū. Alongside Higaonna Kanryō, Higaonna Kan’yū, and Go Kenki, he was one of the four teachers of Kyoda Jūhatsu, although it should be noted that Kanryō played the longest role in Kyoda’s training.
In recent years, I have tried to read many of the texts written about Yabu in their original form (Japanese). Of particular note is the work of Yabu’s friend Hanashiro Chōmo. My wife and I once took on the painstaking task of translating Hanashiro’s text as accurately as possible while preserving his writing style. We later succeeded in publishing the text in English as well – until now, however, it was only available for purchase on my Patreon page. I have now decided to make the text freely available, as I consider it very important to provide a complete translation and give subsequent generations of karateka the opportunity to learn more about Yabu.
This obituary – alongside the two-part newspaper article from March 18 and 19, 1932 – is of great importance. The first part has already been translated into English, whereas the article from March 19 has not yet been referenced in any English sources. To better understand Yabu’s mindset and his role as a soldier, both articles are highly recommended. The complete 1932 newspaper article has already been translated and will be published at a later date.
It should also be noted that in the obituary, Hanashiro specifically addresses Yabu’s military service in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895). Hanashiro describes this as an eyewitness, not as someone who merely heard the stories secondhand. Hanashiro’s statements also allow for deeper research regarding the Sino-Japanese War—since he breaks down Yabu’s service from division level down to company level, making it possible to reconstruct the exact course of the war.
Karate Kenkyū Shitsu 