Saturday, May 13, 2023

Onko Chishin series: Kobudo in 1961 Part 1

 



 


Onko Chishin – to learn from the past to know the future

In 1961, a series of articles titled KOBUDO was published in the Okinawa Times Newspaper at the occasion of the 1st demonstration of the Okinawa Kobudo Kyokai (1). From November 16 to 26 1961, 18 masters and their specialty weapon or kata were featured in 9 articles. The dates and masters were as follow.

 

Nov. 15, 1961        Kina Shosei (79) – Sai

                                Shinjo Heisaro (47) – Karate-jutsu

Nov. 16, 1961        Irei Matsutaro (82) – Kusarigama

                                Nakamura Heizaburo (68) – Chisochin

Nov. 17, 1961        Nakamura Shigeru (67) – Niseishi

                                Higa Yusuke (70) – Timbei

Nov. 21 1961         Kaneshima Shinsuke (64) – Douchin

                                Chinen Masami (63) – Sakugawa no kon

Nov. 22 1961         Soken Hohan (70) – Kusarigama

                                Shiroma Taisei (77) – Ufutun bo

Nov. 23 1961         Nohara Kamaichi (83) – Shihokiri

                                Takara Shigeru (53) – Kiai Justu

Nov. 24 1961         Ishikawa Iroei (50) – Nunchaku

                                Higa Seitoku (41) – Shoushi no kon

Nov. 25 1961         Kyan Shinei (49) – Sai

                                Kameshima Shinei (61) – Naifanchi

Nov. 26 1961         Nakaima Kenko (51) – Nichigama

                                Uchima Anyu (23) – Naifanchi



In the first article published on November 15, an introduction of the series was presented to the readers. Here is a translation of how the original article reads.

“With the support of the Commission for Protection of Cultural Properties, the Ryukyu Shimpo Newspaper and the Okinawa Times Newspaper, the Okinawa Kobudo Kyokai (President Higa Seitoku) will held its first demonstration on November 26 at PM1:00 at Naha Theater. This is organized in order to help the resurrection of decreasing native kobudo. Morehttp://cdncache1-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png than 50 authorities from all regions of the island will participate performing around 60 demonstrations among which Bo, Sai, Kama, Nunchaku, Tinbei, etc…

From 83 years the venerable Mr. Nohara Kamaichi (Kochinda Village) to 24 years old young men, we are all enthusiastic with this demonstration and would like to introduce the major demonstrators.”

 

Article 1 (Part 1)

November 15, 1961

Kina Shosei (79) – Sai

 

Direct transmission from the police force

 

In the past, Sai was worn by Chikusaji (hori) (2) and used to protect the king, control the crowd or to arrest criminals. It resembles the Jitte of Mainland Japan. Mr. Kina started the practice of Sai at the age of 18, receiving instruction from the seniors and friends of the village. The birthplace of Mr. Kina, Shimabukuro (Koza City) is extremely famous for Sai and it is said that it was popularized among the youth of the village as one kind of self-defense. However, it seems that this was only a self-taught style where people learned from mimicking policemen. Today, there are many masters of Sai in Okinawa but there exists no Ryuha (3) and kata are not uniformed.

The Sai technique that Mr. Kina practices was directly transmitted from an Ufuchiku (official title) policeman who performed his duties at Shuri Castle, thus making it an orthodox schoolhttp://cdncache1-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png.

The major techniques of Sai are about “hitting, blocking, thrusting and knocking down”, and it is a martial art for self-defense. Mr. Kina says that he teaches his students advocating, “Under the sky, one cannot commit bad actions, there is no first attack in Sai.” For 32 years, he has worked as a teacher and nowadays lives the rest of his life quietly as a Christian.

Among his students are Kyan Shinei, Izumikawa Kantoku and Kina Shoshin who are famous as Sai performers. With a big voice Mr. Kina jokes, “I am already an 80 years old grandpa” but his handling of the Sai is sharp. During the soon coming demonstration at Naha Theater, he intends to showhttp://cdncache1-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png the techniques and higher skills that he has spent a lifetime to learn. He was born in in 1882. (4)

 

Extra notes:

(1) The “Okinawa Kobudo Kyokai” was founded in 1961. It is not related to the actual Okinawa Prefecture Kobudo Federation.

(2) “Chikusaji” refers to police force or policemen. The term “hori” designates a policeman of the time of Edo era.

(3) “Ryuha” means school

(4) Kina sensei passed away in 1981.

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