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. More
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 school.
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 show 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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