Karate Okinawa

Front 1

What was Okinawa to China early in its history?

Back 1

Okinawa was a “protectorate” of China. Okinawan dignitaries traveled to China every 2 years to play tribute to the Emperor. Okinawan Samurai accompanied the emissaries as bodyguards. Bodyguards trained and “competed” with Emperor’s palace guards and gained insight to Chinese Fighting Arts.

Front 2

What happened in 1391?

Back 2

Around 1391 China sent an entire community of clerics, artisans, and other professionals to settle in Okinawa. 36 families A village of Okinawans lived in China. Trade developed between China and Okinawa. Okinawans were exposed to the Chinese Fighting Arts. Some Okinawans traveled to China as merchants and students and secretly learned more about the Chinese Fighting systems.

Front 3

In a more formal way, how did the Okinawians learn karate?

Back 3

Various Chinese Masters visited the Ryukyu Islands and shared their fighting experiences with the Okinawans. Okinawans already had a fighting tradition called “Okinawa Te” They combined what they learned from the Chinese into their native system and called it “To-de” or “To-De Jitsu” (China Hand, or China Hand Art) “To-De Jitsu” became “Karate Jitsu” At the beginning of the 20th century, a modified version that we know as Karate-Do (Empty Hand Way) developed to expose children in the school systems to the ancient art.

Front 4

What happened in Okinawa around 1470?

Back 4

Around 1470 the Upper, Middle and Lower kingdoms of the Ryukyu Islands had a civil war. The Middle kingdom won and banned possession of weapons and practice of martial arts throughout the Okinawan Islands.

Front 5

Tell me about the Japan occupation of Okinawa?

Back 5

(1) Around 1600, Japan had a civil war between various Samurai Clans.
(2) The winner became military ruler of all Japan and was called Shogun. Tokugawa clan.
(3) The Shogun instructed the Satsuma clan from southern Japan to attack Okinawa.
(4) The Satsuma Clan won with little trouble in 1609.
(5) These Samurai had absolute power over Okinawans until the Meiji restoration in the late 19th century.
(6) The Samurai banned weapons and the study of martial arts.
(7) They took all gold and valuables back to Japan.
(8) Took the King of Okinawa back to Japan and held him there for 2 years.
(9) Returned the king and made him a “puppet” king.
(10) After the Meiji restoration, restrictions on travel, education, foreign influences, and study of fighting arts were relaxed.

Front 6

Tell me about the Meiji Restoration?

Back 6

(1) 1868 Tokugawa Shogun lost power and the emperor was restored.
(2) Emperor had to listen to group of advisors to rule.
(3) 1871 feudal lords all gave up domains, created unified country
(4) Shogun lost class privileges. samuri swords wearing was banned
(5) 1877 Satsuma rebellion was soundly defeated by the country’s modern army.
(6) Government started national education system.

Front 7

Tell me about Master Anko Itosu?

Back 7

(1) 1901 Master Anko Itosu began teaching Karate openly in the Okinawan Middle Schools.
(2) Master Itosu is considered the “Father of Modern Karate”
(3) Master Itosu invented the Pinans Katas and taught many of the Shorin-ryu Masters.
(4) Taught to strangers
(5) Around 1900, Prince Hirohito of Japan made a world tour to investigate industries of other countries and ended in Okinawa.
(6)Saw demonstration of Karate by Master Choki Motobu and asked the government of Okinawa to send someone to teach the Japanese People.

Front 8

Tell me about Master Gichin Funakoshi?

Back 8

(1) The King of Okinawa sent Master Gichin Funakoshi in 1922.
(2) Master Funakoshi was chosen because he was a diplomant and spoke fluent Japanese.
(3) Master Funakoshi was also a teacher and the King’s personal karate instructor.
(4) Master Funakoshi taught at the headquarters for Judo called Kodokan (House for Studying the Way) until a dojo was built for him in 1924.
(5) Kodokan founded in 1881 by Dr. Kano.
(6) Saw belt system at the Kodokan
(7) The dojo was called Shotokan.
(8) The style of karate was called Shotokan. (Largest style in the world)
(9) Master Funakoshi’s pen name was Shoto “Little Pine”
(10) Shotokan means “House of the Little Pine” or “House of Funakoshi.”

Front 9

Tell me about Master Choke Motubu?

Back 9

(1) Knocked out Russian fighter with one strike when he was 52.
(2) Trained Tung Gee Hsing
(3) Wasn’t entitled to learn family te because he was the 3rd son.
(4) Studied on his own
(5) Moved to Japan
(6) Opened dojo Daidokan
(7) Descendant of Okinawan royalty
(8) loved a good brawl
(9) Very strong
(10) emphasised kumite over kata.
(11) did not get along with Funakoshi.
(12) Said Funakoshi practiced imitation karate, not much more than a dance

Front 10

Tell me about the basics of Okinawan Karate-Do?

Back 10

Traced to 3 different origins

(1) Study of the human body
(2) Study of animal movements
(3) Study of how to use hands and feet as weapons

Front 11

What type of family was the winner of the Okinawa civil war from?

Back 11

The middle kingdom won and the winner was from the business class.

Front 12

What type of people did China send to Okinawa?

Back 12

Book keepers to keep track of the taxes.