Itosu Anko - Savior of a Cultural Heritage - By Joe Swift

Itosu Anko

Savior of a Cultural Heritage

By Joe Swift

 

 

 

Joe wants to clarify what Anko Itosu saved of the heritage of Okinawan Arts. So as that as the definition of karate continues to change there is a clear record of what Itosu Sensei accomplished.

 

His ability to find and translate older records makes this even more valuable. He has become extremely trusted by the Okinawan and Japanese martial establishments making much of this possible. I first met Joe-San on the internet, among other things we had the study of Isshinryu in common. But very quickly he became a vast influence to my own studies.  He even  took the time on a trip home to New York  State to travel to New Hampshire to meet me and give a clinic for my students and friends.

 

It was at his request that I worked to translate martial works in French, and his own countless translations he shared with me allowed me to see beyond what is often seen.

 

It is a great privilege to consider this work.

 

The opening chapter contains great documentation of possible sources affecting the developing arts of Okinawa. Material showing the prevalence of Japanese swordsmanship on Okinawa and suggesting how that influenced the Okinawan arts Then he also explores the possible Chinese influenced. His conclusions are both new to me but logical considering the sources he used. There will be a lot of pondering considering these accounts of what actually occurred on Oknawa. It does offer fresh insight.

 

The second chapter put what Japan did to Okinawa in the 1870’s in perspective. I did not realize that they weren’t picking on Okinawa. In reality the Japan was coming to grips with the rest of the world, and that meant breaking down many barriers across all of Japan. For example the Samurai were out, replaced by everyone for the military. Thus in Japan the Peruchin were also out, ending their role to Okinawa. And as Japan adopted education for everyone, adopting many foreign concepts, Okinawa schools changed too.

This chapter definitely puts a different spin on why karate was developed for the schools and then to Okinawa itself.

 

What Itsuo did was craft a karate for the educational system. Japan was looking at various programs to strengthen the young across Japan to strengthen the population for eventual military service. Itosu worked to make that happen. Joe explains the changes he had to address in order to obtain acceptance by the Educational Board. He was successful and Joe suggests the Japanese may have permitted it as an experiment. It would be 6 years later before they adopted Judo and Kendo were introduced. You should also realize the karate Itosu proposed for the schools was never intended to influence other instructors and their programs.

 

Joe then looks directly at the karate that was  designed. He goes into each of the 14 kata proposed. Even the use of the karate was examined compared to how the same kata combatative applications were changed from what they were used for before karate. He then looks tn the changes that were made to the manner movement was from before. Concluding with a detailed instruction about the changes to the body mechanice of his karate to what had been used before.

 

Then he continues with translations about those who wrote about Itosu, and even new translations from Itosu’s writings. There is even more, translations about other instructors, extensive historical photographs.

 

The individuals Joe had worked with in Okinawa and Japan have contributed so much to what Joe offers. I am sure without their sharing with him, this would have been quite different.

 

If you care about learning more about the earlier Okinawan arts, and how the efforts of Itosu shaped so much that followed, this it the book for you.

 

I can see multitudes of thought to write starting with what Joe shares.

 

This is a true treasure.

 

Joe-san Swift has had a great impact on my life, this latest work continues that for me.