Okinawa Karate promoted at UNESCO
Okinawa Prefecture participated in the “Creative journey to Japan 2022,” as part of an effort to register Okinawa Karate as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. This event was held at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Intangible Cultural Heritage in Paris. Okinawa Prefecture took the lead in promoting the history of Okinawa Karate and Okinawa Prefecture’s commitment to Okinawa Karate.
At the event, Shinjo Kiyohide Sensei, Ikemiyagi Masaaki Sensei, and Higa Koyu Sensei, representing each style, demonstrated kata and performed bare handed “Shi-wari”. The huge applause and the enthusiastic responses from not only the UNESCO officials but also the ambassadors of various countries in France as the performance drew considerabe attention from the ambassadors and the press. Throughout the event, many questions and comments about Okinawa Karate were raised, allowing the participants to deepen their undestanding of Okinawa Karate.
After the event, Karate seminars were held for Okinawa Karate practitioners who seek to improve their skills. Many Okinawa Karate practitioners attended the seminars and were able to deepen their techniques of Okinawa Karate. These activities helped to raise awareness of Okinawa Karate. With the aim of continuing to promote Okinawa’s pride “Okinawa Karate” to the world and achieving regstration with UNESCO, Okinawa Prefecture and Okinawa Dento Karate Shinkokai will continue to promote Okinawa Karate to the world.
