On November 26th,
1961, the Okinawa Kobudō Kyokai (1) held the demonstration called “Dai Ikkai
Kobudō Happyōkai” – The 1st Kobudō Demonstration – with the support
of the Cultural Property Conservation Committee, the Ryūkyū Shinpō and Okinawa
Times newspaper companies. On this occasion, from November 15th to 26th, the
Okinawa Times published a series of articles under the title called “Kobudō”
introducing 18 martial artists. In the 9 parts of the serial were introduced
some famous figures like Kina Shōsei, Nakamura Shigeru, Kaneshima Shinsuke,
Chinen Masami, Soken Hōhan, Ishikawa Hōei, Higa Seitoku, Kyan Shin-ei,
Kameshima Shin-ei and Nakaima Kenkō among others.
With the
permission of the Okinawa Times, we are pleased to introduce the translation of
this serial which represents an important piece of legacy for Okinawa karate.
We will also introduce related documents pertaining to the demonstration. Below
is a list of articles to be presented.
Okinawa Times –
Nov. 9, 1961 “Revival of Kobudō – Kobudō Kyōkai,
demonstration on the 26th”
Okinawa Times –
Nov. 15, 1961 Kobudō 1: Kina Shōsei (Sai), Shinjō
Heisaburō (Karate-jutsu)
Okinawa Times –
Nov. 16, 1961 Kobudō 2: Irei Matsutarō
(Kusarigama), Nakamura Heisaburō (Chisōchin)
Okinawa Times –
Nov. 17, 1961 Kobudō 3: Nakamura Shigeru (Niseshi), Higa Yūsuke (Tinbē)
Okinawa Times –
Nov. 21 1961 Kobudō 4: Kaneshima Shinsuke (Dōchin), Chinen Masami (Sakugawa no
kon)
Okinawa Times –
Nov. 22 1961 Kobudō 5: Soken Hōhan (Kamajustu), Shiroma Taisei (Ufutun bō)
Okinawa Times –
Nov. 23 1961 Kobudō 6: Nohara Kamaichi (Shiho kiri), Takara Shigeru
(Kiai-justu)
Okinawa Times –
Nov. 24 1961 Kobudō 7: Ishikawa Hōei (Nunchaku), Higa Seitoku (Shōshi no kon)
Okinawa Times –
Nov. 25 1961 Kobudō 8: Kyan Shin-ei (Sai), Kameshima Shin-ei (Naihanchi)
Okinawa Times –
Nov. 26 1961 Kobudō 9: Nakaima Kenkō (Nichō gama), Uchima Anyū (Naihanchi)
Okinawa Times –
Nov. 27 1961 Report on the event
Ryūkyū Shinpō –
Nov. 27 1961 Report on the event
Other documents
(1) The “Okinawa
Kobudo Kyokai” was founded in 1961. It is not related to the actual Okinawa
Prefecture Kobudō Federation. At that time, it was chaired by Higa Seitoku.
(2) Some
articles’ translation have already been published on the website of the Okinawa
Traditional Karate Liaison Bureau
(http://okkb.org/). We are reintroducing these translations with the
authorization of the said bureau.
(3) Please note
that there may be some errors in the reading of some names..
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[ Okinawa Times
] November 15, 1961
Kobudō 1
With the support of the Cultural Property
Conservation Committee, the Ryūkyū Shimpō and the Okinawa Times Newspapers, the
Okinawa Kobudō Kyōkai (President Higa Seitoku) will held its first
demonstration on November 26th at 13:00 at Naha Theater. This is
organized in order to help the resurrection of native kobudō on the verge to
disappear. More than 50 authorities from all regions of the island will
participate performing around 60 demonstrations among which Bō, Sai, Kama,
Nunchaku, Tinbē, etc… From the venerable 83 years old Nohara Kamaichi (Kochinda
Village) to 24 years old young men, all are enthusiastic preparing for this
demonstration. At this stage, let’s introduce the major demonstrators.
Direct transmission from the police officer
Kina
Shōsei (79)
Sai
In the past, sai was worn by Chikusaji (hori) (1) and was 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 experts of sai in Okinawa but there exists no ryuha (2)
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”,
thus making it 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 Shin-ei, Izumikawa Kantoku and Kina
Shōshin who are famous as sai experts. Laughing with a big voice Mr. Kina jokes
saying, “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. (3)
(1)
“Chikusaji” refers to police force or policeman. The term “hori” designates a
policeman of the time of Edo era.
(2)
“Ryuha” means school or style
(3)
Kina sensei passed away in 1981.
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Studying “Jutsu” in Nanking
Shinjō Heisaburō
(47)
Karate-jutsu (1)
He was born in 1914 in Yomitan Village Aza Uza. His father being fond of
karate, he became familiar with karate since his young years. On the suggestion
of his father, he crossed over to Nanking China at the age of 17 and learned
karate-jutsu at the dojo of Kan Mei sensei (2). Karate is not about Buki
(weapon) or Gei (arts). The purpose is to temper the mind (3). Karate-jutsu…
Mr. Shinjō explains that the meaning of “Jutsu” is the cultivation of the mind.
During the demonstration, he is scheduled to put a wire through his arm (4).
Since the wire is like a fine metal chopstick, encouraging himself with a kiai,
he will pass the wire through his arm instantly. Not a drop of blood is shed.
No pain is felt. It is hard to believe that such a skill is of a human being.
To master such a technique, one needs a considerable amount of spiritual
training and Mr. Shinjō devoted six years. Although he has developed a strong
body conditioned through karate and a thick wad of muscles, he recalls the pain
that comes with conditioning.
After the war, he was evacuated to Mainland Japan (Kagoshima). When his
Highness Prince Takamatsu visited Kagoshima, he demonstrated karate-jutsu at a
welcoming party. So far he had put 18 times a wire through his arm, but the
demonstration he did for the reception in honor of Prince Takamatsu was the one
that marked him the most. Seeing the performance, the Prince asked him if it
wasn’t painful.
Once the wire go through, it is fine. But the mental concentration until
realization is very tiring both nervously and physically. “I am very happy to
be able to show my skill in public. According to my capacity of applying
technique on this day or not will be a turning point. Even if I am the only one
in Okinawa to be able to do this karate-jutsu, the Kobudō Association has
recommended me, therefore, I have to do my utmost…” says he enthusiastically
grabbing a wire. Currently, he runs a shoe-making store in Nishinjō, Naha City
(5).
(1) Shinjō Heisaburō
is the uncle of Shinjō Heitarō, who is the master of Matsuda Yoshimasa. The 3
men participated to the demonstration. According to the latter, he performed
the kata Chintō while Shinjō Heitarō performed Kusari-gama.
(2) No further
information on Kan Mei. The reading of the kanji is not sure as it is most
likely a Chinese name. It is not sure if it is Kan-mei or Kan as a family name
with Mei/Akira as a given name…
(3) In the text, “Seishin
no tanren”, that could be translated as tempering or conditioning of the spirit
or mind.
(4) A 3.5 mm diameter
wire.
(5) At the entrance of
Kuninda, the Kume Village of nowadays’ Naha, was a gate called Kume Ufu-mon
(big gate). At the end of Kume Street, north east, used to be Nishinjō-mon
(East gate). Today, the police box at the end of the street is still called
Nishinjō Kōban.
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[ Okinawa Times ] November 16, 1961
Kobudō 2
Training secretly
Irei Matsutarō (82)
Kusarigama
Expert of Kusarigama – sickle and chain weapon, and
the eldest senior, he started learning when he was 19 years old, which makes
him a man with a martial art experience of more than 60 years. Kusarigama is a
martial art that was developed in farm villages where people thought of linking
the familiar chain and sickle into a single weapon. Therefore, while there is
not one defined kata, many forms can be found depending of the region.
Mr. Irei learned Kama-no-te from Asato no Tanmei (1) who
lives in Goeku (2). However, his motive was quite simple. He explains that “I
was aspiring to become a soldier and I didn’t want to be laugh at when going in
Mainland Japan…” Also, at that time in farming villages, people who studied
karate and sickle were hated as they were considered as savages and thugs.
People kept away from them even to the point that they couldn’t find a spouse.
For such reasons, most people were studying martial arts incognito at night,
away from people’s attention.
He first started with karate and with his skill
leveling-up, he studied many other techniques like Sai, Bō and Kama.
At 25 years old,
he demonstrated for the first time karate and Kusarigama in a play put on in a
village and at 31, he performed a large demonstration together with 12
students.
People are told that “Gei ha mi wo tasuku
(3).” Mr. Irei himself says that he was able to overcome many disasters because
he studied martial arts. This is not simply a question of defending oneself but
also to nurture naturally a spirit that helps one to endure hardships.
Nowadays, the number of experts in Okinawa
Kobujutsu and especially sickle is diminishing but he is happily teaching all
those who sincerely intend to learn the sickle. During the next coming
demonstration, many experts of Okinawa Kobujutsu will gather to demonstrate
their secrets and it is the purpose of all to popularize Kobujutsu. On his own,
Mr. Irei is teaching Sai, Kama and other skill to his grandchild Tomita
Nobuyuki (24).
(1) Tanmei is a word that could be
translated into grandpa or old man.
(2) Goeku is located in Okinawa City
or Koza.
(3) Learn a trade, for the time will
come when you shall need it.
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