Okinawan Masters in detail Flashcards
When did Satunushi “Todi” Sakugawa live?
1762-1843. More general answer: mid-to-late 1700s to early-to-mid 1800s
Why is Satunushi “Todi” Sakugawa important to the martial arts?
He was among the first to blend elements of the original Okinawan art of te with Chinese boxing (tode) to initiate the development of what we know as karate today.
Name one of Satunushi “Todi” Sakugawa’s students.
Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura
What katas did Satunushi “Todi” Sakugawa create?
He created the kata Kusanku and the bo kata Sakugawa No Kun.
Who did we get the concept of dojo etiquette from?
Satunushi “Todi” Sakugawa
Who created the katas Kusanku and Sakugawa No Kun?
Satunushi “Todi” Sakugawa
Who was among the first to blend elements of the original Okinawan art of te with Chinese boxing (tode) to initiate the development of what we know as karate today?
Satunushi “Todi” Sakugawa
When did Machu Higa live?
1790-1870. More general answer: late 1700s to the mid-to-late 1800s.
Machu Higa served as a bodyguard. For whom did he serve as a bodyguard?
The Ryukyuan royal family
Machu Higa was awarded what title for serving for the Ryukyuan royal family?
Peichin
What does the title Peichin mean?
Signifies membership in the Okinawan Shizoku (equivalent to the Japanese Samurai class)
Who served as a bodyguard for the Ryukyuan royal family for which he was awarded the title Peichin?
Machu Higa
What things was Machu Higa an expert in?
He was an expert in bo, sai, tonfa.
Why is Machu Higa important to the martial arts?
He was a expert in several weapons, and a pioneer in the early development of Karate.
Who was one of Machu Higa’s students?
Ufuchiku Kankushiku (Sanda Kinjo)
When did Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura live?
1798-1890. More general answer: late 1700s to late 1800s.
Why was Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura important to the martial arts?
He was considered the father of Okinawan karate. He was the first to systematize Shuri-te from which the various Shorin-ryu styles have come down to us today.
What did Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura study?
Chinese boxing and Japanese swordsmanship.
Who was believed to be Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura’s teacher?
Satunushi “Todi” Sakugawa
What Shorin-ryu katas did Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura originate or develop important variations on?
Chinto, Wansu, Passai, Seisan, and others
The forms Chinto, Wansu, Passai, and Seisan were created by or had important variations changed by whom?
Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura
When did Kosaku Matsumora live?
1828-1898. More general answer: early-to-mid 1800s to late 1800s
Why was Kosaku Matsumora important to the martial arts?
He was a leading practitioner, developer, and teacher of Tomari-te, the karate that developed around Tomari village. Tomari-te has not survived as a distinct system, but many of its katas and techniques are incorporated within the Shorin-ryu styles of today.
Who was a leading practitioner, developer, and teacher of Tomari-te?
Kosaku Matsumora
What is Tomari-te and has it survived as a system?
The karate that developed around Tomari village, no.
True or False: Many of Tomari-te’s katas and techniques are incorporated within the Shorin-ryu styles of today.
True
Name at least one of Kosaku Matsumora’s students.
Choki Motobu, Chotoku Kyan
When did Itosu “Anko” Yasutsune live?
1830-1910. More general answer: early-to-mid 1800s to early 1900s
True or False: Itosu “Anko” Yasutsune is considered the father of modern karate.
True
Why is Itosu “Anko” Yasutsune considered to be the father of modern karate?
Because he simplified many of the ancient katas, created several new katas of his own, and pioneered teaching methods that would revolutionize the art by making its study easier and less dangerous for future generations.
When did Itosu “Anko” Yasutsune first introduce Karate into the physical education curriculum of the Okinawan public school system?
- More general answer: early 1900s.
What were the effects of Itosu “Anko” Yasutsune introducing Karate into the Okinawan public school system?
It was a crucial step to transforming the public perception of karate as a feudalistic killing art to one in which the emphasis was on health and spiritual well-being.
What katas did Itosu “Anko” Yasutsune create?
He created the Pinan (peaceful mind) forms, shodan through godan(1-5), which are practiced today in various forms by virtually all Shorin-ryu styles.
Name at least 2 of Itosu “Anko” Yasutsune’s students.
Gichin Funakoshi, Chomo Hanashiro, Chotoku Kyan, Chosin Chibana, Kentsu Yabu, Choki Motobu, Kenwa Mabuni, and Shigeru Nakamura.
Who created the Pinan forms, shodan through godan, that are practiced today in virtually all Shorin-ryu styles?
Itosu “Anko” Yasutsune
Who first introduced Karate into the physical education curriculum in the Okinawan school system?
Itosu “Anko” Yasutsune
When did Sanda Kinjo- Ufuchiku live?
1841-1926. More general answer: mid-1800s to early 1900s
What was Sanda Kinjo-Ufuchiku an expert in?
Karate and Kobudo
Sanda Kinjo-Ufuchiku served as a bodyguard to whom?
The last of Okinawa’s reigning kings, Sho Tai, until the king’s fall from power in 1879.
Who was a bodyguard to Sho Tai, the last of Okinawa’s reigning kings?
Sanda Kinjo-Ufuchiku
What does the title Ufuchiku mean?
Police commissioner
Who was the police commissioner of Shuri?
Sanda Kinjo
What was Sanda Kinjo’s system known as?
Ufuchiku Kobujutsu.
What student did Sanda Kinjo pass stewardship of his system onto?
Shosei Kina
Who taught his techniques to the police force of Shuri while slowly developing and perfecting his own system?
Sanda Kinjo
When did Kanryo Higashionna live?
1851-1915. More general answer: mid-1800s to early 1900s
What kata did Kanryo Higashionna introduce and popularize on Okinawa?
Sanchin. He also introduced and popularized the Sanchin method of breathing.
Kanryo Higashionna was good friends with what other martial artist?
Itosu “Anko” Yasutsune
Who introduced and popularized the kata Sanchin and its method of breathing?
Kanryo Higashionna
Why was Kanryo Higashionna important to the martial arts?
He was a leading developer and master of Naha-te, he laid the foundation for Goju-ryu which was subsequently formalized by his senior student.
Who was Kanryo Higashionna’s senior student, who went on to formalize Goju-ryu?
Chojun Miyagi
Other than Chojun Miyagi, who was Kanryo Higashionna’s other important student and why was he important?
Kenwa Mabuni, founder of Shito-ryu