In a previous article I wrote about Nakama Chōzō. He is a senior disciple of Chibana Chōshin. Also, when Motobu Chōki briefly returned to Okinawa to attend the “Roundtable of Karate Masters” (1936), Nakama Sensei learned kumite from him. After the war, Nakama Sensei had a close relationship with Uehara Seikichi and they sometimes exchanged techniques. According to a student of Uehara Sensei at the time, Nakama Sensei’s kumite was very reasonable and practical.
Nakama Sensei didn’t have his own dōjō, but he taught karate at a local community center as well as at his home. Over time, his techniques have been handed down to the present day. The Gojūshiho below is also one of Nakama Sensei.
The performer is Nakamoto Mamoru, the director of the Bunbukan Dōjō. According to Nakamoto Sensei, Nakama Sensei learned this kata from Hanashiro Chōmo.
There are some movements that are omitted or changed for the above performance, but it is interesting that the high kick is similar to bō geri (staff kick). In the previous article “Matsumura Sōkon’s High Kick”, I mentioned that Yabu Kentsū and Motobu Chōyu were good at bō geri. The video above shows that bō geri was also transmitted to Hanashiro’s kata. They were all friends, so it’s not surprising that the techniques were similar, but it’s valuable that bō geri is preserved in the kata in this way.
The original Japanese article and English translation were posted on Ameblo on May 9, 2020.
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Shihan, Motobu Kenpō 7th dan, Motobu Udundī 7th dan. Discusses the history of karate and martial arts, and introduces Japanese culture and history.
