Tag Archives: Okinawa
Why Okinawan Aristocrats Stopped Wearing Chinese Costumes
Okinawans feared being forced to wear Qing dynasty costumes Okinawa was an independent country, the Ryukyu Kingdom, until 1879. It was conquered by the Satsuma domain of Japan in the early 17th century and was effectively a vassal state of … Continue reading
Posted in Motobu Naoki
Tagged East Asian Culture, Japan, Ming Dynasty, Okinawa, Ryukyu
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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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The Decline of Okinawan Kumite
The Decline of Okinawan Kumite I received this message before. He said that he had studied a certain branch of Kyan Chōtoku’s karate for many years, but had only practiced kata. When he asks his master or seniors about kumite, … Continue reading