沖縄空手案内センター

Okinawa Karate Information Center

  Since 2018, journalist Yanagihara Shigeo has written on Okinawa karate from various angles. The full articles of the series entitled “The present of Okinawa traditional karate - The Origin of karate that spread around the world” are available on the website of Daisan Bunmeisha. Although in Japanese, using an online translating software might be a good way to read through this interesting series.

  Note: The views and opinions expressed in the series are those of the author and featured characters, not necessarily those of the information center. Also, the titles’ translation was done by our center in order to give further details to English readers. Any mistake is solely our responsibility.

1. The essence of Okinawa karate
2. An organization spreading to the world [with Mr. Kiyuna Chōkō]
3. Karate master: Shinzato Katsuhiko
4. Karate master: Hokama Tetsuhiro
5. Karate popularization meritorious person: Itosu Ankō
6. Karate popularization meritorious person: Funakoshi Gichin
7. The way to the establishment of the “Karate Day”
8. Types of Karate: Sport · Martial Art · Health
9. Origin and styles of karate
10. Leading figures who supported the Okinawa karate world after WWII
11. Okinawa's original style, Uechi-ryū (Part I) [with Mr. Tomoyose Ryūkō]
12. Okinawa's original style, Uechi-ryū (Part II) [with Mr. Takara Shintoku and Mr. Shinjō Kiyohide]
13. Okinawa's original style, Uechi-ryū (Part III) [with Mr. Uehara Takenobu]
14. Gōjū-ryū, the first style in Japan (Part I)
15. Gōjū-ryū, the first style in Japan (Part II) [with Mr. Higaonna Morio, Mr. Yagi Meitatsu and Mr. Kuba Yoshio]
16. The first Okinawa Karate International Tournament report
17. Shōrin-ryū 1, the traditional martial art of Shuri “Shurite”
18. Shōrin-ryū 2, Shōrin-ryū (Kobayashi) founded by Chibana Chōshin (Part I) [with Mr. Miyagi Takeshi]
19. Shōrin-ryū 3, Shōrin-ryū (Kobayashi) founded by Chibana Chōshin (Part II) [with Mr. Oshiro Isao and Mr. Matsuda Yoshimasa]
20. Shōrin-ryū 4, the lineage of Kyan Chotoku Shōrin-ryū (Sukunai-hayashi) [with Mr. Shimabukuro Zenpō and Mr. Sakugawa Masanobu]
21. Shōrin-ryū 5, Shurite and Tomarite Matsubayashi-ryū
22. Outstanding in the field of competition Ryūei-ryū [with Mr. Sakumoto Tsuguo]
23. Interview with Okinawa Prefecture Karate Promotion Division’s manager (Part I) [with Mr. Yamakawa Tetsuo]
24. Interview with Okinawa Prefecture Karate Promotion Division’s manager (Part II) [with Mr. Yamakawa Tetsuo]
25. Okinawa Shogaku's attempt [With Mr. Nashiro Masaichiro]
26. People attracted to Okinawa karate from Kyokushin (Part I): Mr. Kinjō Kenichi
27. People attracted to Okinawa karate from Kyokushin (Part II): Mr. Takaku Masayoshi
28. People attracted to Okinawa karate from Kyokushin (Part III): Mr. Ishimoto Makoto
29. Kobudō (Part I) Native weaponry cultivated in Okinawa [with Mr. Nakamoto Masahiro]
30. Kobudō (Part II) Native weaponry cultivated in Okinawa [with Mr. Kinjō Masakazu]
31. (Special edition) Zaha Shindō-ryū: Chibana karate preserved in mainland of Japan [with Mr. Zaha Jinkichi and Mr. Yamada Junya]
32. (Special edition) Shinjinbukan: In search of Te, the source of karate [with Mr. Onaga Yoshimitsu]
33. The next generation of Okinawan karateka (Part I) [with Mr. Nakamoto Yūichi, Mr. Uema Takeshi and Mr. Nagamine Tomoichirō]
34. The next generation of Okinawan karateka (Part II) [with Mr. Shimabukuro Zenshun, Mr. Yogi Katsuya and Mr. Makishi Tetsuo]
35. The next generation of Okinawan karateka (Part III) [with Mr. Uechi Sadanao, Mr. Iha Mitsutada and Mr. Shinjō Takahiro]
36. Okinawa Dentō Karatedō Shinkōkai: interview of the new director of the board Mr. Arakaki Kunio
37. Did Okinawan martial arts “Te” exist? (Part I)
38. Did Okinawan martial arts “Te” exist? (Part II) [with Mr. Katsuren Seihō]
39. Did Okinawan martial arts “Te” exist? (Part II) [with Mr. Nohara Kōei]
40. Interview with Iwasaki Tatsuya, an professor of Okinawa ancient martial art karate
41. (Final episode) Extra edition: Why were karate styles born?
42. Special Edition-1: “Karate is a martial art unique to Okinawa that was formed in the early modern era” (From an Okinawa Karate Academy lecture given by Mr. Dana Masayuki)
43. Special Edition-2: Exploring the origin of Shurite [with Mr. Oshiro Toshihiro]
44. Special Edition-: Miguel Da Luz from the Okinawa Karate Information Center

  For the first fiscal year of the Reiwa era (April 1st 2019 to March 31st 2020), the Okinawa Karate Information Center has offered its support to 216 requests which represents a total of 682 people from 39 countries.

  These people trained in Okinawa karate and kobudō with 62 dōjō owners and instructors.

  In addition, the number of dōjō owners and instructors who have been involved in instructing through our center since its establishment in May 2017 is 111 people.

  This year, the number of requests came for 37.5% from Europe, 35.2% from Asia, 18.5% from the Americas, and 8.8% form Africa and Oceania.

  Countries from where originated the largest number of requests are Japan, the USA, France, Australia and Germany.

  If you are interested in training in Okinawa, feel free to contact us anytime.

  Below are some photos of some visitors who train this year in Okinawa.

Australian group training with Shōrin-ryū Maeshiro Morinobu sensei at the Okinawa Karate Kaikan.

An English karateka training in kobudō with Yoshimoto Kagemasa sensei in Kume Island.

A German group training in kobudō with Ishiki Hidetada sensei.

Italian visitors experiencing karate with Shōrin-ryū Uema Takeshi sensei.

A groups from mainland Japan experienced Shurite/Tomarite with Shōrinji-ryū Oyakawa Hitoshi sensei.

Thailand Gōjū-kai members training with the Okinawa Gōjū-ryū Karatedō Association.

USA senior high school students experiencing Okinawa karate with Shōrin-ryū Higa Kōyū sensei.

As part of a JICA-sponsored program, South American students experienced karate with Uechi-ryū Higa Susumu sensei.

  The 6th Okinawa Karate Academy, which was scheduled to be held on March 23rd has been postponed again in view of the situation of the new coronavirus. The new date will be announced later on on this website.

  Furthermore, the Okinawa Karate Special Exhibit - Exhibit explanatory tour which was postponed to March 22nd has been canceled due to the situation of the new coronavirus.

  Born in Yakena Yonashiro Uruma City in 1940, Nakamura Tamotsu graduated from the University of the Ryūkyūs in 1965 with a degree in Education.

  After that, in 1985 he obtained his PhD from Kyūshū University. The theme of his thesis was “Psychological research on the physical and mental control of sportsmen – Karatedō practitioners as a subject” (1985). Until then, Dr. Nakamura's main papers were “Psychological research on the physical and mental functions of karate practitioners” (1977, photo, property of the Okinawa Karate Kaikan reference room), “Physiological and psychological research on karatedō kata biological reaction” (1981), “Experimental study on the control of muscle activity of karate practitioners” (1981), “Study on the personality characteristics of karatedō practitioners” (1982), and “Study on the brain wave Biofeed-back of karatedō practitioners” (1984).

  Since then, he has also published articles like “Analysis of personality traits of the Budōsha - A study of karatedō practitioners” (1989 - English summary available) and “Psychological study on the health of karate practitioners (1990).

Reference: Biography and achievements of Prof. Nakamura Tamotsu (by Miki Takara)

  The Okinawa Shimatate Association (official website in Japanese) has been in activity since 1985. It edits and publishes a construction information magazine titled “Shimatati”. First published in 1996, it is a quarterly issued in 3,300 copies.
  In issue no. 91 (January 2020), an article titled “Karate wo tsutae, hiromeru! (Translation: To pass down, and spread karate!) was published. The article is authored by Sakihara Kyoko and Nakamura Akira from the OPG Karate Promotion Division. The article (PDF format) is available only in Japanese.