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.
⚠️ 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.
„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.”
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.
Two books
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.
Calligraphy of Nakaima Kenkō (dated 1968)
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:
Iraha Chōkō 伊良波長幸
Ōnishi Eizō 大西栄三
Kyoda Jūkō 許田重光
Kanzaki Jūwa 神崎重和
Kanzaki Shigekazu 神崎重和
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.
I have been in Japan since January 6. First, I spent a week in Okinawa—originally, I had planned to do much more, but due to a COVID infection, I was only able to visit “Shureido” and go to the library once.
On February 9, we headed to Tokyo Haneda Airport. However, our destination was not Germany but Okinawa, where we planned to conduct research for the next three weeks.
On February 10, training started right away. I had arranged to meet Higa Kiyohiro Sensei at the Bugeikan Dōjō, with the focus on Hanashiro Chōmo’s karate. After training, I made a quick stop at a ramen restaurant before heading straight to the prefectural library.
On February 11, we met with acquaintances and family.
On February 12, at 10:00 AM, we had an interview with Ōshiro Toshihiro. This interview had been highly anticipated and meticulously planned by the German students in advance. It lasted over three hours, and Ōshiro Sensei provided us with many fascinating insights. In the afternoon, the next interview followed immediately, this time with Akamine Hiroshi.
me with Ōshiro Toshihiro Sensei (February 18, 2025)
Both interviews provided us with a wealth of valuable information, and I am looking forward to making these insights available to German karateka soon.
Interview with Akamine Hiroshi Sensei, with my friend Dell Hamby (February 18, 2025)
In the evening, I briefly met with Dell Hamby, and I am deeply grateful to him for making the interview with Akamine Sensei possible on such short notice.
From February 13 to 15, I dedicated my time entirely to friends and family, so no research took place. However, on February 15, we made a stop in Chatan to greet Shimabukuro Zenpo Sensei, whom we had the opportunity to interview last year.
with Shimabukuro Zenpo Sensei (February 15, 2025)
Also on February 15, I met a very dear new friend for dinner in Naha.
On February 16, we were invited to a private concert in Ishikawa, where we enjoyed beautiful Okinawan music.
On February 17, I had the privilege of training at the Bugeikan again with my new friends, further deepening my understanding of Hanashiro Chōmo’s karate. Afterward, we headed straight back to the library.
On February 18, we met a researcher at the Karate Kaikan and received many valuable suggestions for improving our research. Afterward, we had lunch and then visited our favorite bookstores.
On February 19, I made a quick stop at the library in the morning, followed by a meeting with friends in Naha. Later, we attended the memorial ceremony for Uema Yasuhiro Sensei.
with Uema Takeshi Sensei (February 19, 2025)
On February 20, we had a photo session at the Bugeikan Dōjō, followed by training. Later, I paid my respects to Yabu Kentsū Sensei and offered my apologies for recent events. I entered the gravesite with the utmost respect and strictly followed the proper etiquette. Afterward, I visited the “Okinawa Prefectural Museum.”
On February 21, we met with our best friend on-site (Thomas Krekel), with our destination being the “Kona Cafe” in Chatan. Then, we went straight to Shuri for a Bubishi lecture at Geijutsu University.
Lunch with our very good friend Thomas (Hawaii/Okinawa)
On February 22, I went to Shuri and visited many historical sites. Along the way, I also ordered a stamp. 😉
On February 23, we went back to the library, and in the evening, I had dinner with family.
On February 24, training at the Bugeikan was back on the schedule. Many questions were asked once again, and although it may sound a bit presumptuous, I feel like my understanding of Hanashiro’s karate is gradually deepening.
On February 25, we conducted a short interview, followed by a visit to the Yōshūkan and a stroll through Shuri.
I pretend as if I could read japanese
On February 26, I had my last training session at the Bugeikan. At the end, I received a very important and special gift, which I look forward to sharing soon. Afterward, I visited the “Naha City Museum of History”—not the regular exhibition, but the research library, which requires prior registration and a strong research interest to access.
On February 27, it was time to pack my bags, and in the evening, unfortunately, I had to say: “Until next time—2026!”
In addition to the activities mentioned, many other meetings, training sessions, etc., took place, but since they were of a more private nature, they are not included here.
I believe now is the best time to talk about one of my future projects.
Last year, we were fortunate to have the opportunity to interview Higa Kiyohiko Sensei, a Mago-deshi of Hanashiro Chōmo. He shared a great deal of valuable information with us and also allowed me to learn some of Hanashiro Sensei’s kata.
This interview and training have so far served as the foundation for the Jion article and will also be referenced in many future articles.
Of course, it should be clear that the karate of Yabu Kentsū and Hanashiro Chōmo is very similar in many aspects.
With my great friends from Shanghai in the Bugeikan Dōjō
The full interview with Higa Kiyohiro will be published in one of the upcoming issues of Toshiya. Additionally, there are plans to discuss it in a future issue of Gekkan Hiden.
Actually, our own research is far from perfect too, and like I said before, I’m always happy to receive feedback and corrections. We try our best and work every day to improve. While we’ve already received positive feedback, we also get corrections and advice for the future, which we gladly accept—always thanking the person for their input.
But if someone messes up—especially in a big way—you can be sure I will publish a correction article as quickly as possible. On one hand, I want to prevent false translations from reaching a large audience, and on the other, I’m not willing to accept any misinformation directed at befriended Dōjō who are trained in the lineages.
If you want to write about Australian carrier pigeons, feel free to do so and write whatever you like… but please stop spreading misinformation about famous karate masters.
I have been in Japan since January 6, preparing some future projects. Naturally, I am also diligently training in Karate and Okinawa Kobudō.
Sōgen-Ji, a short photo stop on the way to Shureidō to pick up my new Tō‘on-ryū Gi
We spent the first week in Okinawa. This time was originally supposed to be more productive than it turned out. Unfortunately, my wife and I contracted a variant of COVID-19 and had to spend several days in quarantine, unable to leave our hotel room during that time.
Luckily, we recovered just before our flight to Fukuoka and the subsequent train ride to Beppu. There, we had 13 days of Tō’on-ryū training planned. Ikeda Sensei opened his treasure chest and provided us with some previously unknown articles and pictures, which we will use in the upcoming Tō’on-ryū article. During our time in Beppu, we also completed the first draft of the article and submitted it to Ikeda Sensei for review. He gave us some suggestions and improvement ideas.
The first draft of the Tō‘on-ryū article was checked by Ikeda SenseiIkeda Sensei & me
After 14 days in Beppu, we took the Airport Express Bus to Ōita Airport, then flew to Tōkyō Haneda. From there, we took the train to Ryūgasaki, where we had 5 days of Matayoshi Kobudō training with Hayasaka Sensei. I gained many new insights and had interesting conversations with Hayasaka Sensei during the training-free periods, which led to further insights.
Hayasaka Sensei & me
After 6 days in Ryūgasaki, we returned to Tōkyō by train. We had originally planned to attend the „48th Nihon Kobudō Enbu Taikai“ as visitors. However, at very short notice, the BAB publishing house asked if we would be interested in writing an article for Gekkan Hiden magazine — a request we gladly accepted.
The 48 Nihon Kobudō Enbu Taikai
On Monday, I visited the Kōdōkan, where I had the opportunity to meet the current curator. On this occasion, I presented the Kōdōkan with my two books on the history of Jiu-Jitsu/Jūdō in Germany.
The famous Kōdōkan Museum
On Tuesday, we conducted an interview with Koyama Masashi Sensei. This interview will also appear in one of the upcoming issues of Gekkan Hiden and will serve as a source for many future articles. Koyama Sensei is not only a former Kata world champion (Taipei, 1982) but also an excellent researcher who has already published numerous works.
Koyama Sensei, Sanae & me
In 1977, he had the opportunity to interview Iraha Chōkō Sensei twice and also learned the Sansērū kata from him. After consulting with Ikeda Sensei, I was able to compare the Beppu Sansērū with the Iraha Sansērū and identified some differences.
Wednesday was a family day at Tokyo DisneySea.
Thursday and Friday were fully dedicated to research. We visited the National Archives and the Yūshūkan Museum at the Yasukuni Shrine, where we gained important insights for a future topic.
The National Archives of Japan
Today, Saturday, is dedicated to rest, and tomorrow we will head to the airport in Tōkyō.
Yesterday, it was announced that an article about Tō‘on-ryū will soon appear in the April issue of Gekkan Hiden. The article was introduced as the first part, implying that there will be a second one.
Tō‘on-ryū 4th Generation Sōke – Ikeda Shigehide
The History and Techniques of Tō‘on-ryū – Part One: Kyoda Jūhatsu and Higaonna-ha Kenpō
We were informed about the article very early on and also know the name of the author. However, since the author is not mentioned in the announcement, I will also keep the name to myself for now.
Our own Tō‘on-ryū article is independent of this series and will be published later this year. It will likely delve much deeper into certain aspects of Tō‘on-ryū history.
Of course, I will buy both issues and highly recommend that everyone do the same.
The following article sheds light on the rediscovery of a long-lost photograph and series of articles documenting the 1936 Okinawa Karate Roundtable discussion. It details the historical significance of the event, the challenges of recovering pre-war materials, and the collaborative efforts that brought these treasures back into the public eye, highlighting their impact on modern karate research.
Karate Kenkyū Shitsu 