Last fiscal year, the Okinawa Prefecture Government implemented an Okinawa karate public relations project. One part of the project was the "Karate Jet" launch. Another part was the creation of a promotional video of Okinawa traditional karate utilizing 3DCG (3 dimensional computer graphics) motion capture Virtual Reality.
On April 6, a press conference was held at Okinawa Cellular Building in Naha following the completion of the project.
Explanations were given by Yamakawa Tetsuo, manager of Okinawa Prefectural Culture, Tourism and Sports Department Karate Promotion Division, Shinjō Kiyohide sensei of Uechi-ryū who cooperated in the project demonstrating the kata "Sanseiryu", Okinawa Cellular Telephone Corporation Kaida Hirofumi, as well as Horino Makoto and Tomita Nobuyasu, both producers at IMAGICA West Co., Ltd. Located in Osaka, this company is in the business of developing advanced video production.
The production was done at a special photography studio located in Kyōto prefecture, "CGCG Studio" in Okinawa City and at the Special dōjō of the Okinawa Karate Kaikan. There, the kata performed by Shinjō sensei was captured using high definition technique to give two VR movies; one is the actual kata of 1 minute 29 seconds while the 2nd movie aims at being used as a teaching material.
When experiencing the movie using a dedicated google device, one can see the performance from all angles at a never seen close distance, truly rendering the power and beauty of traditional karate. In addition, skills and technique can also be analyzed in details.
About this project, Mr. Yamakawa explained that he wanted people to be able to experience the true martial nature of Okinawa karate while also promoting the birthplace of karate that is Okinawa. In addition, emphasizing "the difference of quality between amusement and culture", he explained that although a possibility, online distribution would not render the awesomeness of karate if seen on a normal screen. Therefore rather than distribution on the Internet, this 3DCG movie will be presented in various prefecture-sponsored events through hands-on experience corner using the dedicated google device.
Public release in the prefecture will be held on Monday, April 23, during the 100 days before the First Okinawa karate international tournament. The movie will also be introduced during the international tournament to which more than 1,900 people have registered.
(From the top left) The press conference, making in the studio, images of the actual kata performance
We have released a digest version movie of the demonstration “The world of Okinawa Karate” presented on January 18, 2018 at the Okinawa Karate Kaikan.
March 30th, a new special exhibition was opened to the public at the Okinawa Karate Kaikan. To commemorate the opening, a special talk-show sponsored by the prefectural Karate Promotion Division was held.
The speakers were Uechi-ryū Tomoyose Ryūkō and Uehara Takenobu as well as Gōjū-ryū Higaonna Morio. The three masters are Okinawa Prefecture designated intangible cultural asset holders. The talk-show was coordinated by Yamakawa Tetsuo, head of the Prefecture’s Karate Promotion Division. More than 60 people attended the event.
90 years old Tomoyose sensei was the first to address the audience. Born in Motobu town in the northern part of Okinawa’s main island, he later enrolled in Icchu (1). The first 2 years, he was able to study regularly but the third year, with the war advancing, he was more involved with military works than with school activities. On March 23 of 1945, he travelled all the way to Nakijin village in order to get a seal from his parents allowing him to join the Kinnō Tai (2). The fact that he was not able to return to the southern part of the main island saved his life.
After telling episodes of his youth, he recalled with much humor stories when teaching karate in the United States, ending his address saying, "Without karate I wouldn’t have had such experiences."
Next, Uehara sensei (88) talked about the past and recalled the teachings of his father and teacher, Uehara Saburō sensei. “Karate is a mean to eliminate likes and dislikes. Karate, which is a fight with oneself, aims at polishing oneself and train the spirit”. He added, “When one gets stuck, returning to the breathing of Sanshin kata will open the path”.
In addition, Uehara sensei introduced the project of the bronze statue of Uechi Kanbun which will be unveiled on April 21. Mentioning the positive cooperation of all Uechi-ryū groups, he stressed that “The proverb ‘you can do it if you try’ is the heart of karate". This means that if one does karate, he or she can overcome any kind of difficulty.
Finally, Higaonna Morio sensei talked about his early years in karate. Being more adept to outdoor activities rather than academic studies, his father who practiced Shōrin-ryū took him to watch karate. Later, young Higaonna joined the Miyagi garden dōjō and received tuition from Miyagi Anichi sensei. Moving to Tōkyō, he taught at the Yoyogi dōjō. Through his exchanges with the All Japan Karatedō Federation and the French Karate Federation, he was invited overseas and started teaching in many countries.
He ended his address speaking about the UNESCO karate registration emphasizing the high cultural value of karate, an art born in such a small island, Okinawa.
The new exhibition inside the Archives starts on March 30th.
The contents is as follow:
- Panel exhibition of Uechi-ryū and Gōjū-ryū
- Hand and foot prints of famous masters of Uechi-ryū and Gōjū-ryū
- Actual size panels of masters
- Audio tapes records of Gōjū-ryū master Miyagi Anichi
- Movies of kata and interview of Uechi-ryū
(1) What is nicknamed "Icchu" is the Okinawa prefectural primary junior high school. It is the current Okinawa prefectural Shuri Senior High School.
(2) Tekketsu Kinnō Tai can be translated as Blood and Iron Emperor Loyal Corps. It was a juvenile troop unit composed of students of 14-16 years old who were mobilized by the Japanese army during the Battle of Okinawa.
(Flyer distributed during the event)
The Okinawa Prefecture Government is preparing a new exhibition.
It will start on March 30th (Friday) at the Okinawa Karate Kaikan Archives.
On March 30th, from 11:00-12:00, a special talk-show will be held in commemoration.
The venue is the hallway in front of the Archives.
The speakers will be Tomoyose Ryukō sensei, Uehara Takenobu and Higaonna Morio sensei, all cultural asset holders for the prefecture designated intangible cultural property "Karate and kobudō". (Read the report)
For details, please contact the Okinawa Karate Kaikan at 098-851-1025
French photographer Stéphane Coutteel was invited by OCVB to cover various topics on Okinawa. He visited the prefecture from March 2nd to 27th. He covered mainly diving and karate. Our information center coordinated the karate interviews and activities.
Mr. Coutteel has been practicing karate for many years. He is a 2nd Dan in Wadō-ryū. He commented that in France, Okinawa is known as the birthplace of karate, but Okinawan styles are not so popular, therefore not well known.
From 17th to 26th, he interviewed and photographed personalities of each styles: Masters Shimabukuro Haruyoshi, Hokama Tetsuhiro, Taira Yoshitaka, Uema Yasuhiro, Nakamoto Masahiro and Higaonna Morio. On 24th and 25th, he also covered the prefecture’s preliminary tournament for the 1st Okinawa karate international tournament, and visited the Okinawa prefectural office on the 26th to interview Yamakawa Tetsuo, head of the Karate Promotion Division. Articles should be published in the French magazine KARATE BUSHIDO among others.
Below is a review of his karate coverage in photos.
Inside Shimabukuro Haruyoshi sensei's Uechi-ryū dōjō.
Visiting Hokama Tetsuhiro sensei's museum.
OKIC's Miguel Da Luz explaining the activities of the information center.
Matsubayashi-ryū Taira Yoshitaka sensei introducing his system. The interpreter was Yukari Marsh.
After the interview, photo shoot at the Special dōjō of the Okinawa Karate Kaikan.
Shurite Shorin-ryū Uema Yasuhiro sensei in his Shubukan Uema dōjō.
Personal training after the interview.
Visiting the many sites of the cradle of karate, Okinawa.
Nakamoto Masahiro sensei and his son Mamoru sensei demonstrating kobudō.
Gōjū-ryū Higaonna Morio sensei pausing after the interview.
(If you need any support to organize interviews or a karate report, feel free to contact us.)
