Inoue Motokatsu
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What constitutes a black belt
What constitutes a yudansha or blackbelt? My observation of most Japanese karate is that it is heavily criterion based with respect to gradings and promotion. That is, there is usually a group of examiners with a predetermined set of techniques, kata, kumite, ect. that a student must perform successfully for each respective rank.Those kind of… Continue reading
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Thoughts on Okinawa Kobudo Systems
The other day I was chatting with one of my students after Kobudo practice and we got on the topic of Yamane (Yamani)-ryu. This of course got me thinking about not only Yamane-ryu, but also the other Kobudo systems (Taira, Matayoshi, Ryukonkai, Ufuchiku) practiced on Okinawa. Below are some random thoughts about Yamane-ryu and Kobudo… Continue reading
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Inoue Motokatsu: Nunchaku & Suruchin Kata
I find it odd that the Inoue Motokatsu’s Ryukyu Kobujutsu group do not use the kata developed by Taira Shinken for suruchin and nunchaku. Indeed, Inoue’s nunchaku and suruchin kata do bear Taira’s name (ie. “Maezato no …”). To the best of my knowledge Inoue stated that all his kata came from Taira and there… Continue reading
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Inoue Motokatsu’s Memories of Taira Shinken
My [first] meeting with Taira Sensei happened in the fall of 1928. At that time, Taira Sensei, who was residing in Ikaho, Gunma Prefecture, happened to visit the Meisho Juku Dojo (Okinawa Student Dormitory Dojo) in Koishikawa Suitengumae to see his karate teacher, Funakoshi Gichin. Taira Sensei was one of his oldest students and had… Continue reading
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