Okinawan Bujin Iron Fist and The Cat

Two Great Bujin of Kume Village:  

Kogusuku Taitei and Aragaki Seisho

By Joe Swift, c 2002

Although Higashionna Kanryo is often mentioned as the father of Naha-te, little if any mention is made of the two Okinawan masters who are believed to have been his first teachers. This article shall attempt to shed a little light on two of Naha-te's unsung heroes, Kogusuku Taitei and Aragaki Seisho.

Iron Fist Kogusuku

One of the most famous names in the history if Naha's Kenpo traditions is probably Kogusuku (Kojo) Taite (1838-1917). His Chinese name was Cai Ru Yi, and he worked as an official interpreter for the Ryukyuan Royal government. His fist is said to have been so strong that he could drop a Ryukyuan bull with two blows, this earning him the nickname Tekken Kogusuku or Iron Fist Kogusuku (Iwai, 1992, 2000).

With regards to his teacher, there are two theories, although neither of them have been proven to any satisfaction. The first stems from the writings of Funakoshi Gichin, who wrote that a certain Kogusuku studied under the Chinese master Iwah (Funakoshi, 1922, 1925, 1935). The second possibility is given by the Kojo family themselves, which say that Taitei learned not only empty hand fighting, but also archery and cudgel fighting from Wzi Xinxian (Bishop, 1999; Hayashi, 2001; Uechi,

1977).

Although there is very little known of the exact curriculum Kogusuku Taitei taught, noted Japanese Budo historian Professor Fujiwara Ryozo states that Funakoshi Gichin learned Suparinpei/Pechurin from Kogusuku before going on to study Kushanku under Asato Anko and Naifuanchi under Itosu Anko (Fujiwara, 1990). Unfortunately, Dr.

Fujiwara fails to quote his source of said information.

Karate historian Iwai Tsukuo also said that Funakoshi learned under Kogukusu Taite, but later left to study with Asato Anko (Iwai, 1992, 2000). He was apparently rather

cheerful, rare for a native of Kuninda, and hated "training secretly in the back yard" preferring instead to teach on a wide-open beach-front. Kogusuku is said to have been the first to actually openly teach the Southern Boxing that was transmitted in Kume, and Higaonna Kanryo was said to have been a very devout student of him (Iwai, 1992, 2000).

One famous story about Kogusuku is how he often had debates with Higashionna Kanryo regarding Sanchin (Bishop, 1999; Hayashi, 2001; Higaonna, 1996; Uechi, 1977). Although the Bishop and Uechi texts do not go into any detail, Higaonna Morio presents a version that obviously favors the Gojuryu side of things, by stating that Higashionna and Kogusuku each performed Sanchin before a  doctor, who checked several physical and physiological factors before declaring Higashionna's Sanchin to be superior (Higaonna, 1996). 

Hayashi Shingo, arguably one of the last teachers of the nearly-extinct Kojoryu karatedo style, tells a different version. Kogusuku Taitei is apparently considered outside of the main stream of Kojoryu Karatedo, but is nonetheless an important figure in Okinawan karatedo history. The version that Hayashi tells is that Kogukusu Taitei and Higashionna Kanryo were arguing about the benifits of Sanchin and Naihanchi. Kogusuku was of the opinion that Naihanchi was superior for developing fighting technique as it encourages the practitioner  to develop the muscles in a pliable manner whereas Sanchin encouraged th tensing and contraction of the muscles

(Hayashi, 2001).

Aragaki the Cat

 

If anyone was more famous than Kogusuku in pre-Higashionna Naha-te, it must have been Aragaki Seisho (1840-1920). Perhaps best known for his participation in the demonstration of martial arts in front of the last Sappushi, Aragaki is also said to have been the first teacher of Higashionna Kanryo (Iwai, 1992, 2000; Hokama, 2001, 2002; McCarthy, 1995, 1999; McKenna, 2001; Nagamine, 1986; Tokashiki, 1988, 1989, 1991). Funakoshi has stated that Aragaki's teacher was the Chinese master Wai Xinxian,  but this remains uncorroborated (Funakoshi, 1922, 1925, 1935).

The curriculum of Aragaki included at least Seisan, Chishaukin, Sochin, Unshu and Niseishi, according to various historical records and the writings by his student Mabuni Kenwa (Nakasone, 1938; Mabuni et al, 1938; McCarthy, 1999). More recent research has pointed to the idea that he also taught Sanchin, Sanseiru and Suparinpei/Pechurin as well (Iwai, 1992, 2000). According to Mabuni, he was also proficient in Ryukyu Kobudo, which is corroborated by the historical record of his

demonstration in 1867 (see below). Also, according to Okinawan Kobudo researcher Nakamoto Masahiro, Aragaki was responsible for passing on the following Kobudo Kata:

Urasoe Bo, Sesoko no Kon, Shokyu no Kon, Aragaki no Sai and Tsuken Hantagwa no Sai (Nakamoto, 1983).

Professionally, Aragaki worked as an official interpreter for the Ryukyu Royal government. Indeed, it is said that when he left for China on official business in 1870, that he left his young protege Higaonna Kanryo in the capable hands of his friend and senior Kogusuku Taitei (Iwai, 1992, 2000; McCarthy, 1995). However, no record of an Aragaki Tsuji Peichin (the title for official interpreters) on any ship from Ryukyu to China in 1870 has been found by this author to date, even after an exhaustive search in Akamine Seiki's 1988 book Daikokai Jidai no Ryukyu, which details the records of the ships in and out of Ryukyu over several centuries. However, this does not preclude the possibility that Aragaki's position was not high enough to be recorded in this abbreviated version of the records.

The very last Sappushi to visit Ryukyu, Zhao Xin, stayed for a total of five months, between 1866 and 1867 (Sakagami, 1978). In April 1867, a celebration was held that marked the formal severance of political ties between the two ancient nations. This celebration was called San-Ru-Chu Narabini Shogei Bangumi or the "Show of 3-6-9

and the Arts," and featured not only various performing arts, but also demonstrations of the local Chinese-based fighting traditions which would later become known the world over as karatedo and Ryukyu kobudo.

The ten items of martial arts demonstrated at this event are as follows. This program was first introduced in English by noted karate historian Patrick McCarthy. See, for example (McCarthy, 1999) for his translation. For this article I have chosen to re-translate the material from alternative Japanese sources.

Although many modern Japanese writers have offered interpretations of what these mean, they usually end up saying the same thing. Hence, this article will mainly use the explanations given by noted martial arts historian Iwai Tsukuo in his 2000 publication entitled Motobu Choki & Ryukyu Karate and by Kinjo Akio, noted Okinawan karate

researcher, in his 1999 publication Karate Den Shinroku.

1. Tinbei by Maesato Chikudun Pechin

The tinbei is the art of using a shield and short spear or a machete-like sword. This art is preserved in several Okinawan kobudo systems. Iwai believes that this Maesato Chikudun Peichin is none other than Maesato Ranpo (1838-1904).

2. Tesshaku & Bojutsu by Maesato Chikudun Pechin and Aragaki Tsuji 

Pechin Tesshaku (iron ruler) is more commonly known as the sai in Okinawan martial arts. This demonstration seems to be of a sai vs. bo prearranged fighting exercise. Aragaki Tsuji Peichin is the same Aragaki Seisho described in the previous section.

3. Seisan by Aragaki Tsuji Pechin

Here, Aragaki Seisho performed Seisan kata.

4. Bojutsu & Toudi by Maesato Chikudun Pechin and Aragaki Tsuji Pechin

Maesato and Aragaki Seisho performing what is probably unarmed defenses against a staff-wielding opponent.

5. Chishaukiun by Aragaki Tsuji Pechin

This demonstration by Aragaki is the subject of some curiosity among researchers. Some believe that this may be Shisochin kata.

6. Tinbei & Bojutsu by Tomimura Chikudundon Pechin and Aragaki Tsuji Pechin

This demonstration was of the shield and short spear vs.the staff. Aragaki Tsuji Peichin has already beenidentified as Aragaki Seisho, but Tomimura Chikudundon

Peichin remains unknown.

7. Tesshaku by Maesato Chikudun Pechin

Maesato performing what appears to be a solo saijutsu kata.

8. Koushu by Maesato Chikudun Pechin and Aragaki Tsuji Pechin

Maesato and Aragaki demonstrating what appears to be two-person empty-handed fighting exercises. Interestingly enough, the term koushu (Chn. jiaoshou) literally means crossing hands, a term identified in modern karatedo as kumite.

9. Shabo by Ikemiyagusuku Shusai

It is unknown at this time what exactly a shabo (lit. wheel staff) is, but Iwai has speculated that it could be either the shape of the staff used, or a certain type of technical feature of whirling the staff in circular patterns. Shusai were "Kume village keimochi (aristocratic) boys who would ultimately receive a government stipend to study in China and later hold an official position in the service of the King" (McCarthy, 1999).

10. Suparinei by Tomimura Chikudundon Pechin 

The previously mentioned Tomimura Chikudundon Peichin performing the Suparinpei kata. Although the actual identity of Tomimura is not known, it has been speculated that he was a student of Aragaki. 

Although not related to the martial arts, it is also nonetheless interesting to note that a certain Kogusuku Peichin performed on the Biwa (a kind of Japanese lute) as well as read poetry at the same celebration.

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