Tag Archives: Karate
The final version of Pin.an shodan
Translated by Jean-Charles Juster. Until now, I have covered the Pin.an shodan kata on numerous occasions in this blog: Motobu Chômo’s Pin Le Pin.an de Yabu Le Pin.an shodan de Tôyama Kanken The Pin.an shodan of Motobu Chômo is the … Continue reading
Motobu Chōyū’s Gojūshiho
The other day I wrote a series of articles about how Motobu Chōyū’s Unsū has been transmitted to several lineages in Okinawa. In one of the articles, I quoted a sentence from an article written by Higa Yūchoku Sensei of … Continue reading
Posted in Motobu Naoki
Tagged Karate, Motobu Choyu, Motobu Ryu, Motobu Udundi, Shorin Ryu
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Secret Kata of Motobu Udundi
The Sōke (Motobu Chōsei) began to study under Uehara Sensei in 1976 when he received a request from Uehara Seikichi to succeed to the Sōke of Motobu Udundī. This was because it was Motobu Chōyū’s last will and testament that only members of the … Continue reading
Kata of Asato Ankō
As mentioned in the article “Shutō Uke in Old Style,” I mentioned that Funakoshi Gichin’s Shutō Uke was similar to Motobu Choki’s Shutō Uke. Unlike the Itosu lineage, they are characterized by holding the arm in the upper position and … Continue reading
Posted in Motobu Naoki
Tagged Asato Anko, Funakoshi Gichin, Karate, Martial Arts, Motobu Ryu
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Problem of Alteration of Chatan Yara Kūsankū
Earlier, I wrote an article on “Matsumura Rōhai.” In that article, I wrote that Matsumura Rōhai of Shitō-ryū, which is also designated as the second designated kata by the All Japan Karate-dō Federation, is actually the kata “Rōhai” of Okinawa’s … Continue reading
Posted in Motobu Naoki, Uncategorized
Tagged Chatan Yara, Karate, Kusanku, Matsubayashi Ryu, Shito Ryu
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Ancient Karate Practitioners Also Practiced Pole Vaulting
The photo below is titled “Samurai Town” (士族街) from a photo book titled “Travel Souvenir” (1901). The “Samurai Town” refers to Shuri, the capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom. From “Travel Souvenir” (1901), published by Mitsumura Photograph Company. Source: Okinawa Prefectural … Continue reading
Posted in Motobu Naoki
Tagged Karate, Kyusho, Motobu, Motobu Choyu, Motobu Ryu, Ryute, Udundi, Uehara Seikichi
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Karate had kuden (oral transmission)
The true techniques of karate were taught through kuden. Itosu Ankō In the “Ten Articles of the Karate Mind,” or the so-called “Itosu Ten Precepts” (1908), written by Itosu Ankō in his later years, there is an interesting description … Continue reading
The Lost Kata, ‘Tomaikun’
Written by Motobu Naoki, translated by Andreas Quast Motobu Chōmo (1890–1945) was the second son of Motobu Chōyū. His nickname was Torajū. He got this nickname because he was strong, quick-witted and agile, reminiscent of a tiger’s tail. He also came … Continue reading
Posted in Motobu Naoki
Tagged Chomo, Japan, Karate, Martial Arts, Motobu, Motobu Ryu
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Power of a thrust or punch
Ateha (Atifa in the local sound) is an Okinawan dialect that means the power of a thrust or punch. It is written as toha in kanji. According to the Soke (Tomomasa Motobu), his father, Choki Motobu, used to say, “No matter how … Continue reading
Posted in Motobu style
Tagged Ateha, Karate, Martial Arts, Motobu Choki, Motobu style, Okinawa
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“ haishu uchi back of the hand strike ”
Translated by Jean-Charles Juster. The penumbra strike, kasumi uchi, corresponds to the technique called “ haishu uchi back of the hand strike ” in modern karate . In Motobu kenpô, we interpret the first movement placed after the kôsa dachi position of the Naihanchi kata as this strike of … Continue reading
Posted in Motobu Naoki
Tagged Karate, Motobu Choki, Motobu Ryu, Motobu Ududi, Uehara
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