Karate and tourism… Did you know?
In Okinawa, a tourism-oriented prefecture, the “Okinawa prefecture tourism person of merit award” commendation has been held since 1977. So far, more than 250 people and groups have been commended. Among them can be found some famous karate masters.
In 1982, Shōrin-ryū Higa Yūchoku was commended as the chairman of the Naha City Tug of War Preservation Society.
In 1997, Shōrin-ryū Kadekawa Shigeo sensei was commended as the head of the Kadekawa Karate Dance Institute.
In 2003, Shōrin-ryū Kinjō Kempo was commended as the head of the Tokiwa transport company.
In 2009, Shōrin-ryū Arakaki Isamu sensei was commended as a director of the Naha City Tourism Association and a director of the Naha City Tug of War Preservation Society.
In 2013, Shōrin-ryū Higa Minoru sensei was commended as the chairman of the Naha City Tug of War Preservation Society.
In 2019, Matsubayashi-ryū Taira Yoshitaka sensei was commended as a director of the Naha Dragon Boat Promotion Association.
In 2020, Uechi-ryū Uezu Jinkichi sensei was commended as the chairman of the Naha City Tug of War Preservation Society.
Recently, in 2021, Nakahodo Tsutomu sensei (88), a holder of the prefecture designated intangible cultural asset “Okinawa karate and kobujutsu” was also commended for having served the private taxi industry since 1967.
