沖縄空手案内センター

Okinawa Karate Information Center

  From 1925 until 1927, His Highness Prince Chichibu studied in England. On his way to Europe, he stopped in Okinawa in May 1925. On this occasion, a karate demonstration was organized for him at the Okinawa Shihan Gakkō, the Okinawa Normal School. The leader of the karate demonstration was Miyagi Chōjun, who would later established Gōjū-ryū.
  While this demonstration is widely known as a karate event, there is another side to it that proves that karate and bōjutsu - staff martial art are inseparable.

  Located in Maekawa, Tamagusuku, Nanjō City, Okinawa World is one of the major cultural theme parks of Okinawa. Also known as Gyokusendō for the marvelous limestone cave located inside the park, Okinawa World also managed the Valley of Gangala situated opposite to the main park. Inside the premises can be found the Bugeidō (above photo), a martial art cave that relates to the local staff, Maekawa-bō.
  According to a staff member, before WWII and the battle of Okinawa, bōjutsu was performed during local festivals and one of the performing groups used to train inside the Bugeidō. Indeed, there is a large space inside the cave that would allow martial practice.
  It is common knowledge that in the past, martial experts trained secretly. In the Maekawa Village Annals, it is written, “At the occasion of village celebrations and the likes, people would rehearse their performances. The sense of rivalry between each group was fierce. After dark, people would gather in the house of their respective group’s chief or in caves to train late at night, away from other parties’ eyes.”
  Furthermore, like in many other districts of Okinawa, bōjutsu was popular in the Maekawa district. In the annals previously mentioned, a chapter is dedicated to a particular bōjutsu demonstration. It reads as follow.
  “On May 12th, 1925, while His Highness Prince Chichibu stopped by Okinawa on the way to Europe, Oshiro Jūrō (Naka ufugushiku gwa), chairman of the Maeda Youth Association, a group once awarded by the Okinawa Prefecture, was asked to perform in front of his highness during a Kobujutsu demonstration as a representative of Tamagusuku Village. The notice from the prefecture was addressed to the ward chief, Oshiro Gensaku.
  On the date, in the school grounds, a Kobujutsu demonstration with representatives of each municipalities of the prefecture was held. Students of the normal school performed karate and kumite. The Maekawa Youth Association representing Tamagusuku Village performed the kata “Sūji nu kun (Shū shi no kon)” and received a huge ovation from the floor. All travel expenses and uniforms were provided by the Okinawa Prefecture.
  Furthermore, at the same period, a person from Shuri by the name of Bō Ufugusuku was appointed as a bōjustu instructor by the Okinawa Prefecture and dispatched to the Maekawa ward. It is said that for 14 days, visiting Maekawa daily, he taught diligently bōjutsu Sūji nu kun from PM2:00 till PM5:00 for 3 hours, on the square of the ward office.”

(The above photo is the youth association members who participated in the Kobujutsu demonstration, dated of May 12, 1925)

  The valuable document that is the Maekawa records depicts the society of the time and the situation of Okinawan martial arts during the Taishō era (1912-1926). It also tells that martial arts in Okinawa comprised karate (kata?), kumite and bōjutsu.
  Today, a monument stands where used to be the Okinawa Shihan Gakkō or Normal school and it is also possible to visit the training site that used to be Bugeidō.
  As for the Maekawa Youth Association, it is nowadays active as a “performing arts troup”. Next to the traditional dance “Ayagu” (1), it strives to preserve “Yushiguē” (2), “Mēkata-bō” (3) and “Tinbē” (4), performances past down since ancient times in Maekawa.

Source: Tamagusuku Village Maekawa Annals, Okinawa Karate News Issue 58

Notes:
(1) Ayagu is a male dance emphasizing the importance of cooperation between people.
(2) Yushiguē is a dance depicting agriculture work with the hoe as main prop.
(3) Mēkata-bō is a martial dance performed with a staff.
(4) Here, Tinbē is a fighting dance performance using a shield and a blade weapon similar as in traditional kobudō.

(Brochure of the 1st commemoration event held on October 25, 2005)

  In 2005, the Okinawa Prefecture Assembly passed the resolution declaring October 25th Karate no hi, the day of karate. Below, we present an English translation of this important declaration.

  From then, every year the Okinawa Prefecture and Okinawa karate circles have held commemorative events on this day. Last year the Guinness record for "Most people performing a kata" was also achieved.

 This year's Karate Day commemorations will be held on October 25th (Wed.) at the Okinawa Karate Kaikan and on October 29th in Naha City's Kokusai Street.

Resolution on the declaration of the day of Karate

(translated by Okinawa Karate Information Center)

  Some 700 years ago, karate was born in this land, Okinawa. Coexisting with the beautiful nature and climate of Okinawa, our predecessors created karate, a traditional culture that Okinawa can be proud of. It was originally called "tī".

  Meanwhile, our ancestors who were called "People bridging nations" actively interacted with people from China and Southeast Asia and other different countries throughout the world. Thus, they raised peace and prosperity by bringing the culture and wealth of the world to this land.

  Along with these exchanges, Chinese martial arts were introduced between 1400 and 1500. Karate, which until then had been evolving on its own way, enthusiastically adopted the strong points of Chinese martial arts and bloomed spectacularly. This is the karate that is being passed down to present days.

  On October 25, 1936, the name "Karate (open hand)" which is familiar to world karate enthusiasts and many people over the world was officially decided. Therefore, it is meaningful to preserve this day as a "special day" in history.

  As it is well known, the world's karate population is estimated to be around 50 million people. Karate is said to go beyond borders, language, religion, regime and race barriers, and popular in 150 countries. In just half a century after the war, karate has spread intensively to all corners of the world. From this, it is undeniable that karate has an incredible charm and splendor.

  Needless to say, there is no other Okinawan culture that has spread so widely, influenced so many people and become so familiar around the world.

  Furthermore, in karate exists a foundational principle of “Martial art of Peace" that is based of the great philosophy of “Karate ni sente nashi – there is no offense in karate” and the respect of life ideology found in “Nuchi du takara – Life is a Treasure". This principle is something today's international community is highly looking for and we believe that we can contribute in this sense.

  Therefore, praying for the future development of Okinawa traditional karate while wishing to contribute furthermore to world peace and the happiness of the humanity, we, this prefectural assembly, declare “October 25” to be “Karate no hi - the Day of Karate”.

We pass the resolution as mentioned above.

March 29, 2005

The Okinawa Prefecture Assembly

Note: You are free to use this translation but please mention its origin.

  Shuri, Naha and Tomari are districts regarded as the original cradle of karate. Yet, many other regions in Okinawa have their own martial art tales. Among these districts is Uebaru in Naha City.

   Uebaru is located in between the Monorail Akamine Station and the Kaigungo Navy Headquarters Park, situated not far from the Okinawa Karate Kaikan. The area is famous for Shicha nu utaki (1) about which is written as follows.

  “This area is nicknamed Machigā. In Oroku, this is where reconstruction started after the war. Many people came to live here. Right next to it can be found Machigā no Utaki. In the book ‘Ryūkyū Koku Yurai Ki’ (2), the name of the village Matsugawa (pronounced Machigā) is mentioned but no Utaki by the name of Matsugawa appears. However, looking in the list of Den (3), Machigā no Utaki is mentioned. In this case, it seems that the residence of the Matsugawa hamlet’s lord and the utaki became one.

(Machigā)

  In some cases, a lord’s residence means only a ‘nā’ or garden, a place where festivals are held. Since there is an utaki there, sacred palm family plants called Māni have been planted in the area. This manifests the holy aspect of the site.

  A long time ago in Uebaru, there were a lot of bushi. These bushi practiced karate every evening in this area. Bushi of Okinawa are different from bushi of Mainland Japan as here it means men with mighty physical strength.”

  According to a deceased venerable man, “In Uebaru there existed an undulating slope called Nana kēn biragwā (4). A long time ago, Uebaru gave birth to a great amount of martial art experts, and along the way that became an issue. Therefore, the said slope was improved. After the land amelioration, no more bushi were born in Uebaru”.(5)

  The site where the bushi trained is now a public park by the name of Takamaehara Park.

(Shicha nu utaki)

  On the Sunday that follows the lunar calendar June 25^th (6), the Uebaru tug of war is held. In 2017, this Sunday falls on August 20^th. While many tugs of war in Okinawa are soul-stirring and brawl-like events, the tug of war of Uebaru is a simple and elegant one. It is a festival to express gratitude for the rice plant harvest.

  Tours in the district can be organized by local residents. If interested, please contact the Okinawa Karate Information Center.

Footnotes:

1. Utaki means a sacred site or grove. In that case, the name could be translated by "lower sacred site".
2. It is said that the first Ryūkyū Kingdom official records were compiled in early 1700.
3. Den most likely refers to Dunchi, or nobles or lords’ residences.
4. Kēn most likely refers to the measure unit for 1,8 m. Therefore, Nana kēn may mean 12,6 m.
5. Although there is no explanation in the text, having such a slope in the area might mean that locals had the opportunity to train their legs and hips by running which is essential in karate training.
6. Roku gatsu kashichī or June kashichī is a rice plant harvest festival, a traditional event held according to the lunar calendar. Held on June 25th, rice cooked with fresh rice is presented as offerings to the hi-nu-kan, the god of fire and the family altar.

* The address of the park is 2-5 Takara, Naha City

Sources:

Work field on the history of Oroku (Naha City Oroku south public hall, 1993)

Naha Folk tale document (Naha City Board of Education, 1984)

About the birth of Okinawa karate

  Many research studies have been presented so far regarding the birth of karate. However, regarding when and in which shape karate was born, it is impossible to give a clear affirmation. One of the reasons for this is that literature historical records are very rare.

  In 1994, the Okinawa Prefecture Board of Education has organized the results of the various origin theory researches published so far.

1. Karate originates from “Ti”, the original Okinawan martial art which later was influenced by martial arts from China and other nations.
2. The origin of karate traces back to the time of King Shō Shin (1477-1526), when Aji local rulers were gathered to reside in the surrounding of Shuri Castle and a sword hunt occurred. It was also influenced by the weapon prohibition enforced following the invasion of Ryūkyū by Satsuma in 1609.
3. At the time of Satto, trade with China started in 1372. Later, Chinese martial arts were introduced and formalized to match the natural features of Okinawa. Thus karate was born.

  The above three points of view are commonly referred to when it comes to the occurrence of karate.

Regarding Shurite, Tomarite and Nahate

  In contemporary documents, it is often mentioned that until styles were formulated karate was divided into Shurite, Tomarite and Nahate. However, the terminology regarding these 3 “Ti” appeared for the first time in 1927.

  This year, the chairman of Kōdōkan Kanō Jigorō was invited to visit Okinawa by the Okinawa prefecture judō black belt association. As a part of the welcoming events, a karate demonstration was organized. Organizers were Miyagi Chōjun and Mabuni Kenwa of the “Okinawa Karate Club”. At that time, the names “Shurite, Nahate and Tomarite” were used as a matter of convenience. Demonstrators were Hanashiro Chōmo, Kuba Kōsaku, Kyan Chōtoku, Miyagi Chōjun, Mabuni Kenwa, etc.

* Karate is written “Chinese Hand”.

The birth of styles

  Most of today’s Ryūha or styles were established in recent times.

  In November 1930, one of the top students of Miyagi Chōjun (1888-1953), Shinzato Jin-an participated in a dedicatory demonstration at the Meiji Shrine in Tōkyō during which he performed the kata Sanchin. At that time, he was asked the name of his school. As a consequence, Miyagi later named his system Gōju-ryū from the line “Hō gō jū dontō - Mi zuiji ōhen” (The way of inhaling and exhaling is hardness and softness – The body should respond at all times) taken from the “Ken no Taiyō Hakku” (8 summary poems of the fist) found in the Okinawa Den “Bubishi” or the Okinawan version of the Bubishi. It is the oldest Ryūha of karate.

  Chibana Chōshin (1885-1969) studied under Itosu Ankō in the line of Tōdi Sakugawa and Matsumura Sōkon. In 1919, he opened a dōjō in Shuri Torihori and start teaching. Enthusiastically promoting karate, he named his system Shōrin-ryu in 1933 and in 1948, he established the Okinawa Shōrin-ryū Karatedō Association.

  Uechi Kanbun (1877-1948) studied Southern Shaolin fist under the expert Shū Shi Wa for 13 years in Fushou, Fujian Province. After returning to his home Okinawa, he moved to Wakayama in mainland Japan and established the Pangainun-ryū karate jutsu research society in 1932. This is when he genuinely started teaching karate. In 1940, he renamed his system Uechi-ryū.

  Matsubayashi-ryū was formed by Nagamine Shōshin (1907-1997). He took the first character “Matsu” of the names of the forefathers of Shurite and Tomarite, respectively Matsumura Sōkon and Matsumora Kōsaku. The system was named Matsubayashi-ryū in 1947.

  Nicknamed Chanmī-gwa, Kyan Chōtoku (1870-1945) moved to live in Yomitan Village in the vicinity of Hija River. There he raised many students. From there were born various schools among which Sukunai-hayashi-ryū, Chūbu-shōrin-ryū, Shōrinji-ryū among others.

  Soken Hōhan (1870-1945) studied with Nabi Tanme, the grandson of Matsumura Sōkon. He later names his system Matsumura Shōrin-ryū.

  Nakamura Shigeru (1891-1969) studied under Itosu Ankō and Hanashiro Chōmo. He later named his system Okinawa Kenpō and spread his style mainly in the northern part of the main island of Okinawa.

  Isshin-ryū is a style that was influenced by Shurite and Nahate while Gōhaku-kai (Okinawa Gōjū-ryū & Tomarite Karatedō Association) inherits the traditions of Nahate and Tomarite. There are some other systems that were taught and passed on secretly like Ryūei-ryū and Motobu-ryū.

  Following the Pacific War, the regulation towards schools became less severe. Kaiha (branch) were created from Ryūha (style) and dōjō were also formed without becoming a Kaiha. Today, there are 431 dōjō and more than 100 Ryūha and Kaiha.

The purpose of karate

  Karate is no longer only the karate of Okinawa. It has spread worldwide as karatedō which is a source of great pride for Okinawa citizens who were born and raised in the cradle of karate.

  As karate was incorporated in the school curriculum, one can wonder what the purpose of teaching karate to children is. The Okinawa Prefecture look at this purpose through 3 different points. The first point is to train karate as a sport that develop a healthy physical body. The second point is to acquire a self-defense method practicing karate as a martial art. The third point is to discipline the "heart" through karate training. These three objectives are inseparable and important points when it comes to teaching and training karate.

Kata of Okinawa karate and kobudō

About Bushi, Samurē and Shizoku

Okinawa karate demonstration

Interviews of 16 Okinawa karate masters

References:

1. Karatedo and kobudo preliminary survey report, Okinawa Prefecture Board of Education (1994)
2. Okinawa karate exchange promotion project, Okinawa Tourism Resort Bureau (2005)
3. Okinawa karate kobudo encyclopedia, Kashiwa Shobo (2008)

Note: names are listed without titles.

An interview with Tomoyose Ryukō sensei, asset holder for Okinawa Prefecture recognized intangible cultural asset Okinawa “Karate and kobujustu”.

Interviewer: As you are a doyen of karate, it is extremely valuable to listen directly to your experience. Going straight to the point, we have heard that you have taught thoroughly the equivalent of 5-6 years of karate training in one year to enthusiast American soldiers and that this brought blossoming results. Please tell us about it. When it comes to the beauty of Okinawa karate, it is important to hear directly from those who taught Okinawa karate. Your experience is for sure a valuable record. Please tell us about it.

Tomoyose sensei: I see. Around 1955 or 1956, the Uechi-ryū dōjō located in Nodake Ginowan City was quite famous and foreigners started to come there. Since there was no interpreter in this small dojo, Uechi Kanei sensei asked me to help as I could understand some English. This is how I started giving explanations on his side. After a while, people who came from Torī Station in Yomitan were the most enthusiastic. Once 7 or 8 of them came. Since it was difficult for Uechi sensei to cope with them, he told me to instruct them. I then started teaching them from my home. These people didn’t come a few times a week; they came to train 365 days a year, every day from PM5:00 to 8:00. One of them who was particularly zealous was George Mattson. As I thought he could become an important figure, I thoroughly trained him.

What I thought at the time is that these men could only come for one year thus I thought of teaching them all what I knew in one year. It was only a test for me and I instructed them painstakingly. As a result, Mattson became really strong. Once every year, there was a Uechi-ryū promotion examination at the Futenma Dojo. I sent Mattson to pass his Shodan – 1^st dan black belt; above all in Okinawa, he received the highest score.

No doubt it was a source of great self-confidence for him. He especially trained himself in kotekitae, the daily forearm tempering in which partners mutually receive each other’s attack and pound each others arms. One time, he got into a brawl in a bar with a fellow soldier. As Mattson rejected the attack, he broke the arm of his opponent. That created a big fuss in the corps. As it was not the one who received but the one who attacked who was beaten, many candidates showed up. However, I couldn’t handle them. As I could only care for 12 people, I sent the others to train in related dōjō. The one who was drilled in one year was this George Mattson.

When it was time to go home, I asked George: “What will you do when you return to America?” He said “I first want to go to university.” I then advised him saying “Ok, I understand. When you go to university, select 5 or 6 young men with very good heart among your fellow classmates and teach them. By doing so, you will be able to continue without interruption. First of all, try to teach.”

About the 6 or 7 men who Mattson trained, their parents said “My son has changed. His spirit and physique have seen a great transformation. Okinawa karate is fantastic.” Because of this, the parents clubbed together to buy and provide for a dōjō on Hancock Street, Boston, the equivalent of Ginza in Tōkyō. The people who gathered and trained there were school fellows, many of whom were doctors and lawyers.

Later, George Mattson published “The Way of Karate” (1), a book that became a best seller. With this, karate became instantly famous. I believe that this was the beginning of the promotion of Uechi-ryū karate in the USA.

In 1966, together with Uechi Kanei sensei we were invited and demonstrated in various locations. Through this, Uechi-ryū became famous in the New England area. In 1968, a student of George Mattson, Walter Mattson (2) and others contacted me and asked that I stay there for ever to teach them.

Since I was going there, I thought why not see Hawaii on the way and so stayed 2-3 days in Hawaii. There, during the visa procedure, the immigration officer asked me: “Mr. Tomoyose, are you going to work in the States?” If I knew nothing of English there would have been no problem, but since I knew a little I answered: “Yes, if there is any possibility, I want to”. At that instant, my visa became invalid. Usually, I should have been deported back to Japan but I was told “Since your final destination is Boston, I will let you go there. But in exchange, as soon as you reach Boston, present yourself at the Immigration office.” I thought I was in deep trouble but there was nothing I could do about it.

When I arrived in Boston, there were many people who came to welcome me, but they all knew what had happened. I thought about what to do, but the next day I went straight to the Boston immigration bureau to be told “You've got nicely hooked, haven’t you?” I was told that since it was a violation of immigration law, I was supposed to go back. However, I was also told that if I would appeal, I could stay 3 months. My sponsor appealed right away and I was automatically granted a 3 month time stay permission. We started consulting immediately and decided to go to the State of Rhode Island’s immigration bureau, which was the head office of Boston immigration bureau. We invited the immigration bureau’s chief to a huge welcome party for Tomoyose sensei. My leading members appealed to him and he answered “Leave it to me!” which pleased everyone. However, since there were some documents needed, I was told to submit them. When I received these documents, I saw there was a section that needed to be filled by multiple sponsors.

The first one to become sponsor was Edward Kennedy (4). The other ones were Senator Brooke (5), GE General Electric Corporation CEO, the CEO of Texas Oil Corporation, University professors and so on. Altogether, 8 famous persons had signed. When I submitted the documents, the immigration bureau chief was astonished. With the leaders of the political and economic circles supporting me, if he acted carelessly, his neck was on the line! At that moment, he sent the case to Washington. Since there were some similar cases in the past there, they were sent back to Boston attached as examples.

Summoned again in Boston, I was welcomed by the bureau chief who bowing down said “Mr. Tomoyose, I beg you not to ask anything and to please go back to Okinawa!” I was told not to say anything even if questioned. And then he said, “In exchange, as soon as you reach Okinawa, apply for a working visa. A visa to work in America. I will definitely approve 100%.” Taking this conversation to Kennedy, he said “Don’t worry, leave it to me. If needed, I’ll go talk to Nixon (6)”. Everybody was delighted and decided to leave it in the hands of Kennedy.

Then, I was told to finally go to the East coast New England region immigration highest agency located in Vermont. As I took my passport there, there was a tumult and the immigration bureau reception staff member came to greet me. I didn’t know why but later the chief came out and explained that “Mr. Tomoyose, in the immigration bureau, there is no one who doesn’t know your name!” Later, entering the office, I found out that the son of the head of the Vermont immigration bureau was a student of Uechi-ryū. Eventually, without any problem, I stayed 10 months in America.

However, I was contacted by my wife regarding my son’s senior high school examination and decided to go back home temporarily. Called by Kennedy, I was told “You’re going home? Then, invite your children and entire family. We have a house for you here!” But I went back to Okinawa.

One day before going back, after finishing instructing in a dōjō in New York, I received a phone call from an unknown person. I was told “Please come to the New York heliport”. Going there by taxi, I was welcomed by a student of David Finkelstein, a graduated from Harvard who was teaching Uechi-ryū at the office of the United Nations. A helicopter pilot, he said, “Sensei, please get it”. And then we went flying 15 minutes above New York! After this, we landed in front of the gate of an old castle on Rhode Island where I was welcomed by an unknown lady who guided me. “Mr. Tomoyose, you haven’t eaten yet, have you?” And right away, I was treated to lunch. Later on, I strolled for 2 hours in an oriental (Japanese) garden part of a 5 area botanical garden managed by the 2^nd generation owner of the Texas Oil Corporation.

Anyway, the standards of these people was completely different. One day, a man who would go to a party in a jet asked me, “Tomoyose sensei, you also do calligraphy, don’t you? Would you mind writing something for me?” As I had only a ball pen on me I though I was in deep trouble, but I was brought the entire equipment: a huge antique Chinese inkstone, ink, writing brushes and paper. As I couldn’t escape, I wrote the characters水急不流月. Asked the meaning, I answered, “Philip san, try to imagine. There is a huge waterfall like the Niagara one and the moon is reflecting in it. No matter how fast is the water flowing, the moon cannot be washed away. The meaning is everlasting friendship.” As I had no seal, I just signed with my name but he was very delighted!

Believe it or not, I met some unbelievable people in America. Edward Kennedy, the CEO of GE, the king of Texas Oil. When President Bush was mayor, I even received an honorary citizen letter with his signature. If I had not done karate, for sure I wouldn’t have lived such experiences.

Interviewer: The virtue of karate is that it is not a fighting sport nor a competition but about character building. And about a non-fighting spirit seeking for peace.

Tomoyose sensei: That’s it. That is why karate was so well received by Americans. Doctors also understood the virtue of Okinawa karate and they incorporated this physical training into their therapy. For example, realizing that in time of delivery for women, abdominal muscles play an important role, they concluded that karate is ideal to condition such muscles. All practitioners had easy deliveries which helped promote karate. In Okinawa it was the opposite: it is because women give birth that they should not be taught karate. However, for women to condition their abdominal muscles, karate is the best way and today, the number of women practicing karate has increased.

Interviewer: It is essential that the value of Okinawa be academically clarified by the Okinawa Prefecture. This is one of the reasons why we are pushing for the creation of a karate division (8). It shall be made known that the virtue and charm of Okinawa karate is not about winning or losing.

Tomoyose sensei: That is very important. Whenever new foreigners come, I ask them “Why do you want to learn karate?”　As they are earnest, they answer to win fights. To this I tell them: “If it is to put down your opponent, you should stop right now. Rather, you should learn how to shoot a gun. That would be faster. In this atomic era, it is not a time to put down an opponent with karate. More importantly, through karate, you should condition your body, temper your spirit; those are the important points. If the aim is to knock down your opponent, stop right now.”

Interviewer: Today what the world is looking for is a heart that seeks peace, tempering the mind and body, not fighting with others. This is the purpose of Okinawa karate. In this world, there is no other thing like Okinawa karate.

Tomoyose sensei: That is exactly that. For example, Chanmī-gwa (9) in his last years said “Personally, my greatest happiness is that I have lived a life without putting down anyone.” I think he was truly a Bujin (10).

Interviewer: Thank you very much for these wonderful stories today.

Footnotes:

2. First published in 1963 by Charles E. Tuttle Publishing。The 2^nd edition was in 1993.
3. Born in 1939, Walter Mattson is a 10^th dan black belt American who stands as a high ranking member under Takara Shintoku sensei.
4. Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy （1932- 2009）
5. Edward William Brooke, III （1919- 2015）
6. Richard Nixon（1913- 1994）, 37th President of the United States
7. In order the kanji characters mean: water, fast, un- (as in unable), wash away, moon
8. At the time of this interview, Tomoyose sensei and a party of cultural asset holders were actively promoting the creation of an Okinawa karate division within the Okinawa Prefecture Government. The division was officially established on April 1^st, 2016.
9. Kyan Chōtoku (1870- 1945)
10. Bujin literally means a man of war or a warrior. In Okinawa, a Bujin should be interpreted as a man who excels in martial art.

Supplementary explanations: This interview was done on January 26, 2016 at the Okinawa Prefectural Comprehensive Education Center. On February 12 of the same year, it was handed to the Okinawa Prefecture Governor Onaga Takeshi as part of petition documents for the “request of the establishment of a Karate promotion division”. The interviewer was Kamekawa Takashi, advisor to the Okinawa Prefecture designated intangible cultural asset “Okinawa Karate and Kobujutsu” preservation society. The recorder was Miguel Da Luz, present PR for the Okinawa Karate Information Center. This interview is being reproduced and translated with the approval of Tomoyose sensei.