Masters of Karate Do
"Tode" Sakugawa was born in 1733 in Shuri, Okinawa. He is considered a pioneer in the development of Karate. He studied under Peichin Takahara and Kusanku who was a Chinese military attaché stationed in Okinawa. Sakugawa is known to have made several trips to China where he combined Chinese kenpo techniques with Okinawa-te.
Through Sakugawa, the kata Kusanku was introduced. Also important innovations were the Sakugawa Bo Form and dojo kun (dojo etiquette). Sakugawa is known to have studied the staff in China and later lived in the Akata village, Shuri. He taught the use of the staff to his most significant student Sokon "Bushi" Matsumura.
Born in Shuri, he began his training in karate-do under karate legend Sakugawa. He also trained under the Chinese military attaché Kusanku. Matsumura served as chief of the military and as court retainer for the king of the Ryukyu Islands. Matsumura originated the Pinewood kata Chinto and created the karate style of Shorin-Ryu. Among his noteworthy students were Yasutsune Azato, Yasutsune Itosu, Choshin Chibana, Choki Motobu and Chotoku Kyan.
It is also known that he served as a body guard to the last three Ryukyuan Kings. Matsumura traveled to Fuchou and Satsuma as an envoy on affairs of state. In Fuchou he visited several Chinese boxing schools and studied under military attaches Ason and Iwah. In Satsuma Matsumura trained in the Jigen-ryu sword fighting system under Master Yashichiro Ijuin. After retiring, Matsumura taught karate in Sakiyama village, Shuri.
Bushi Matsumura was born in 1797, and died in 1889. According to some sources, Bushi’s family name was Kiyo (Kayo). Matsumura grew up in Yamagawa village of the city of Shuri, Okinawa. He was partly Chinese. Sakugawa began training Bushi at Akata when he was 14 years old, in 1810. According to tradition, it was at Bushi’s father’s request that Sakugawa teach him. Some say that to train Bushi to block, Sakugawa tied to him to a tree so he could not move. Then he threw punches at him.
Sakugawa trained him up until his death, and then Sokon was probably on his own for a while. According to oral history, he studied under Sakugawa for 4 years.
Bushi was recruited into the service of the Sho family. At that time, Sho Ko, the king of Okinawa, desired to have him change his last name, as was the custom, and suggested the name Muramatsu (Muramachi), or “village pine.” After discussing the matter with some friends and relatives, he decided that Matsumura (Machimura), or “pine village”, would be more appropriate. Sokon asked the king to let him change the name to that, and the request was granted. Some say this happened at age 17, which would probably put it around 1813.
Many sources say that Bushi Matsumura trained in China, and it is certainly a strong tradition. Hohan Soken said that Bushi trained at “Fukien Shaolin” for 26 years and some months. We do not know for sure of his length of time spent in China. We do know that he spent at least 20 years there from the records that were kept for the Okinawan King.
Some prominent students of Bushi Matsumura were Yasutsune Itosu and Chotoku Kyan, although there were many more. Itosu’s head student and successor was Chosin Chibana, who formed Kobayashi Shorin-Ryu from Itosu’s version of Shuri-Te. Kyan’s students formed Shobayashi Shorin-ryu from his personal brand of Shuri-te. Another student of Itosu was Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan. Once in a while, Itosu would take him to study under Bushi Matsumura. He was also a student of Azato, a Shorei-Ryu master.
Itosu was born in 1831 and died in 1915. Ethnically Okinawan, Itosu was small in stature, shy, and introverted as a child. He was raised in a strict home of the keimochi (a family of position), and was educated in the Chinese classics and calligraphy. Itosu began his tode (karate) study under Nagahama Chikudun Pechin. His study of the art led him to Sokon Matsumura. Part of Itosu's training was makiwara practice. He once tied a leather sandal to a stone wall in an effort to build a better makiwara. After several strikes, the stone fell from the wall. After relocating the sandal several times, Itosu had destroyed the wall.
Itosu served as a secretary to the last king of the Ryukyu Islands until Japan abolished the Okinawa-based native monarchy in 1879. In 1901, he was instrumental in getting karate introduced into Okinawa's schools. In 1905, Itosu was a part-time teacher of To-te at Okinawa's First Junior Prefectural High School. It was here that he developed the systematic method of teaching karate techniques that are still in practice today. He created and introduced the Pinan forms (Heian in Japanese) as learning steps for students, because he felt the older forms (kata in Japanese) were too difficult for schoolchildren to learn. The five Pinan forms were created by drawing from two older forms: kusanku and chiang nan. Itosu is also credited with taking the large Naihanchi form (tekki in Japan) and breaking it into the three well-known modern forms Naihanchi Shodan, Naihanchi Nidan, and Naihanchi Sandan. In 1908, Itosu wrote the influential "Ten Precepts (Tode Jukun) of Karate," reaching beyond Okinawa to Japan. Itosu's style of karate, Shorin-ryu, came to be known as Itosu-ryu in recognition of his skill, mastery, and role as teacher to many.
While Itosu did not invent karate himself, he codified the kata (forms) learned from his master, Matsumura, and taught many karate masters. Itosu's students included Choyu Motobu (1857–1927), Choki Motobu (1870–1944), Kentsu Yabu (1866–1937), Chomo Hanashiro (1869–1945), Gichin Funakoshi (1868–1957), Moden Yabiku (1880–1941), Kanken Toyama (1888–1966), Chotoku Kyan (1870–1945), Shinpan Shiroma (Gusukuma) (1890–1954), Anbun Tokuda (1886–1945), Kenwa Mabuni (1887–1952), and Chōshin Chibana (1885–1969).
Yasutsune “Anko” Itosu ( “Anko,” means ‘horse,’ and referred to the horse stance at which Itosu was superb in demonstrating ) was an educator in Shuri, a south city in Okinawa. Itosu was born in 1830 into a shizoku, or noble family. He became an educator, but was also a learned master of karate. From Itosu came the Pinon katas, which are our first five Butokukan katas. These katas were stated by one source as coming from the Kusanku kata, before it was broken down into Sho ( lesser ) and Dai ( greater ). However, another source says that Itosu learned a form from a Chinese man, and the form was called “Chiang Nan” or ( Channan in Okinawan pronunciation ) from which he produced the Pinon katas.
Itosu taught anyone who wanted to learn, in contrast to some of the other masters, who would not permit a student to learn from more than one teacher. According to Gichin Funakoshi, student of Itosu and founder of Shotokan karate, Itosu was of average height, with a great round chest like a beer barrel. Despite his long moustache, he rather had the look of a well-behaved child. Itosu was so well trained that his entire body seemed to be invulnerable. Once, as he was about to enter a restaurant in Naha ( near Shuri), a sturdy young man attacked him from the rear, aiming a blow at his side. But Itosu, without even turning, hardened the muscles of his stomach so that the blow glanced off his body, and at the very same instant his right hand grasped the right wrist of his assailant. Still without turning his head, he calmly dragged the man inside the restaurant.
There, he ordered the frightened waitresses to bring food and wine. Still holding the man’s wrist with his right hand, he took a sip of the wine from the cup that he held in his left hand, then pulled his assailant around in front of him and for the first time had a look at him. After a moment, he smiled and said, “I don’t know what your grudge against me could be, but let’s have a drink together!” The young man’s astonishment at this behavior can easily be imagined.
Itosu had another famous encounter with a rash young man, this one the karate instructor of a certain Okinawan school. Belligerent by nature and full of pride at his strength, the youth had the rather unpleasant habit of lurking in dark lanes, and when a lonely walker happened to come strolling by, he would lash out at the poor soul. So self-confident did he finally become that he decided to take on Itosu himself, believing that, no matter how powerful the master was, he could be beaten if set upon unawares.
One night, he followed Itosu down the street and, after a stealthy approach, aimed his strongest punch at the master’s back. Bewildered by the quite evident fact that he had made no impression whatsoever, the young bully lost his balance and at that same instant felt his right wrist caught in a viselike grip. Now Itosu had very strong hands, able to crush a thick bamboo stem in his bare hand, as attested by Funakoshi himself. The youth now tried to free himself with his other hand, but of course he did not succeed. Itosu now walked on, hauling the other behind him without even bothering to look back. Realizing that he had failed completely, the young man begged the master’s forgiveness. “But who are you?” Itosu asked softly.
“I’m Goro,” replied the youth. Now Itosu looked at him for the first time. “Ah,” he murmured, “you really shouldn’t try to play such tricks on an old man like me,” With that, he let go and strolled away.
Another time was from a well-known incident when Itosu was set upon by a group of young thugs, but before long the hoodlums were all lying unconscious in the street. An eyewitness, seeing that Itosu was in no danger, rushed off to tell Itosu’s friend Azato what had transpired. Interrupting his account, Azato said, “And the ruffians, of course, were all lying unconscious, with their faces to the ground, were they not?” Much surprised, the witness admitted that that was true, but he wondered how Azato could have known. “Very simple,” replied the master. “No karate adept would be so cowardly as to attack from the rear. And should someone unfamiliar with karate attack from the front, he would end up flat on his back. But I know Itosu; his punches would knock his assailants down on their faces. I would be quite astonished if any of them survive.
Born in Shuri, Okinawa, Itosu trained under karate greats Sokon “Bushi”Matsumura and Kosaku Matsumora. His good friend Yasutsune Azato recommended him to the position of secretary to the king of the Ryukyu Islands. He was famous for the superior strength of his arms, legs and hands. Itosu was said to have even walked in the horse stance (from which he received his nickname, Anko). Itosu supposedly was easily able to defeat Azato in arm wrestling. Itosu had very strong hands and could crush a thick stalk of bamboo with his vice-like grip. It is said that he walked past the imperial tombs everyday and would practice his punches against the stone walls that lined the road. Itosu believed that the body should be trained to withstand the hardest of blows.
Describing the art in his own words: “Karate means not only to develop one’s physical strength but to learn how to defend oneself. Be helpful to all people and never fight against one person. Never try to strike if possible. even when taken unawares, as perhaps meeting a robber or a deranged person. Never face others with fists and feet. As you practice karate, try to open your eyes brightly and keep your shoulders down, stiffen your body as if you are on the battleground. Imagine that you are facing the enemy when you practice the punching or blocking techniques. Soon you will find your own striking performance. Always concentrate attention around you. A man of character will avoid any quarrels and loves peace. Thus the more a karateka practices the more modest he should be with others. This is the true karateka.”
Chibana Choshin was born June 5, 1885, into a distinguished family in Okinawa's Shuri Tori-Hori village (presently Naha City, Shuri Tori-Hori Town). His family traced their lineage from a branch of the Katsuren Court and Choharu, Prince of Kochinta, fifth son of King Shoshitsu (Tei), but lost their titles and status after Mutsuhito, the Meiji Emperor, banned the caste system in Japan. To support themselves, the family turned to sake brewing.
Choshin began his study of martial arts under Itosu Ankoh in 1889 when he was about fifteen years old. He applied and was accepted as a suitable candidate for instruction, and for thirteen years until he turned 28, Choshin trained under Itosu. When Itosu died at the age of 85, he continued to practice alone for five years, and then opened his first dojo in Tori-hori district at the age of 34. He later opened a second dojo in Kumojo district of Naha City.
Later career
During the World War II Battle of Okinawa, Chibana lost his family, his livlihood, his dojo, a number of students, and nearly his life. He fled the war, but afterward returned to Shuri from Chinen Village and began teaching again. He first taught in the Gibo area, and then at ten other sites in the Yamakawa district of Shuri and Naha, eventually relocating his main headquarters (hombu dojo) from Asato to Mihara.
From February 1954 to December 1958, Chibana served as Karate Advisor and Senior Instructor for the Shuri Police Precinct. In May of 1956, the Okinawa Karate Federation was formed and he assumed office as its first President. Chibana was associated with Chotoku Kyan, which whom he performed karate demonstrations to promote Shorin-Ryu style of karate.
By 1957, Chibana had received the title of Hanshi (High Master) from the Dai Nippon Butokukai (The Greater Japan Martial Virtue Association). In 1960, he received the First Sports Award from the Okinawa Times Newspaper for his overall accomplishments in the study and practice of traditional Okinawan Karate-do. On April 29, 1968, was awarded the 4th Order of Merit by the Emperor of Japan in recognition of his devotion to the study and practice of Okinawan karate-do.
Latter years
In 1964, Chibana learned that he had terminal throat cancer, but he continued to teach students in his dojo. In 1966 he was admitted into Tokyo's Cancer Research Center for radiation treatment and after some improvement, Chibana once again resumed teaching with the assistance of his grandson, Nakazato Akira (Shorin-ryu 7-Dan). By the end of 1968, Chibana-sensei's condition worsened and he returned to Ohama Hospital and died at 6:40 a.m. on the 26 February 1969, at the age of 83.
Chibana was the last of the pre-World War karate masters, also called the "Last Warrior of Shuri". He was the first to establish a Japanese ryu name for an Okinawan karate style, calling Itosu's karate "Shorin-Ryu" (or "the small forest style") in 1928.
Described as a "one punch artist" by some of his American students, Nakazato has developed his karate sparring into a fine fighting art. He has several large photographs of himself on his dojo wall, and has given many demonstrations on the Japanese mainland, as well as abroad. He has "many well-known students in the USA" including Tadashi Yamashita, "who taught nunchaku techniques to the late Bruce Lee".
He first started karate training in 1935 under Seiichi Iju (a former student of Shinpan Shiroma) at Minato ward, Sakai City, Osaka, staying with him until 1940. At the same time (i.e. 1936-1940), Nakazato trained in the kobudo weapons bo, sai, nunchaku, tonfa and nichokama, under Seiro Tonaki who was only a little older than himself and had at one time been a student of Sanda Chinen.
Next, Nakazato entered the Japanese army, where he taught bayonet and military discipline to new recruits on the mainland. At the war's end, he returned to Okinawa to become a student of Chosin Chibana, whom he considered to be the "most eminent karate master of that time".
In 1951 Nakazato opened a dojo in conjunction with Chibana which he called, fittingly enough, The Chibana Dai Ichi Dojo. Then in 1955, after receiving his shihan license from Chibana, Nakazato opened his present dojo at Aja, near Naha, calling it The Shorin-ryu Shorinkan, Nakazato Dojo. In the same year, Nakazato resumes bojutsu training, this time under Seiro Tonaki's teacher's son, Masami Chinen, with whom he stayed until 1958.
The government of Japan via the Prime Minister under the hand of the Emperor of Japan on November 4, 2007 awarded to Nakazato Sensei the "Order of the Rising Sun with Gold and Silver Rays" - Asahi Soukou sho.
From all the prefectures in Japan a total of 960 Asahi medals were awarded in various fields with Shugoro Nakazato Sensei being the ONLY martial artist to be presented with this prestigious award.
Master Yamashita Tadashi is one of the most well known instructors at an international level and he is considered to be an authority in traditional arts of Okinawa worldwide.
"Hanshi" Tadashi Yamashita has dedicated so far over 60 years of his life to the practice of Okinawan Karatedo and Kobudo. A highly respected man in all circles of martial arts, Yamashita-Sensei is sought after for karatedo and kobudo seminars from all over the world. He currently retains the rank of 10th degree black belt in Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karatedo and 10th degree black belt in Zen Okinawa Kobudo.
Sensei is also the President, Director and founder of the Yamashita International Budo Association which incorporates Yamashita Shorin-Ryu Karate, Yamashita-Matayoshi Kobudo and Sensei's Suikendo Fighting System.
Born in Japan in 1942. When Sensei was three years old, his father passed away. When he was 8 years old he moved with his mother to Okinawa. In 1953 he started his karatedo training with Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato of the Shorin-ryu Shorinkan, in Naha, Okinawa. At that same time he started training with Hanshi Shinpo Matayoshi of the Zen Okinawa Kobudo Renmei. He won his first dan at the age of 16.
In 1963 Sensei moved to Chicago, Illinois USA. He kept visiting Okinawa every year to continue his training with his karate and kobudo instructors.
In 1967 Sensei moved to Mishawaka, Indiana, and founded his first karate dojo. Two of his first students were Sensei James Ninios and Sensei Bud Shafer.
In 1968 Sensei performed in front of Chibana Chosen-Sensei and Shugoro Nakazato-Sensei for his 7th Dan. Aged 27 at that time, he became the youngest karateka in Japan's history to be awarded the 7th Dan.
In 1969 he became the head of the American Karate Association together with Sensei Ernie Lieb. In 1970 he became head of the Shorin-ryu Shorinkan in the United States under Hanshi Shugoro Nakazato.
In 1972 Sensei moved to California, where many top artists, such as Mike Stone and Ed Parker, noticed his talent and skill. This is when Sensei began his friendship with Elvis Presley and Bruce Lee.
During the 1973 Pro-Am Karate Tournament Sensei brought over 7,000 spectators to a standing ovation by demonstrating his mastery and skill of ancient kobudo weaponry.
In U.S A, there are over 60 traditional dojos under his supervision.
His popularity, his skills in karate and kobudo, as well as his personal style, Suikendo, gave him the chance to enter the world of show-business (Hollywood).
He participated in more than 25 movies, including: Thrillseekers, The Karate, The Blind Karate man, Karate 2, Enter the Dragon, Judge Dee, Golden Needlesss, Octagon, The Seven, The Magnificent Three, The Shinobi, Kung Fu, A Man Called Sloan, American Ninja etc.
Today, his only occupation is the instruction of his art according to the traditional values of Okinawa's Karate and its spread throughout the world.
Yamashita-Sensei is highly recognized as a leading authority in the martial arts. His accomplishments not only include his study with several notable high ranking masters such as Chibana-Sensei, Nakazato-Sensei and Matayoshi-Sensei. He is also well known for his explosive open hand techniques. Sensei combines many progressive fighting tactics with traditional aspects of karatedo, thus resulting in a devastating fighting system known as "Suikendo," which translates to "fist flowing like water". This non stopping flowing system of fighting allows the karateka to simultaneously block and strike his opponent with blinding speed and accuracy.
Sensei conducts annual martial art seminars around the world, sharing his philosophy.
Sensei's International Association spreads from the United States to Bulgaria, Greece, Israel, Netherlands and Russia. Sensei also keeps a close connection with his birthplace in Japan, often taking a delegation of his association to train on Okinawa.
Sensei's list of affiliated dojos in the United States includes the states of Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Virginia and Wisconsin.
