Ryukyu Kobudo
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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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Choun no Kon (趙雲の棍)
One day in the dojo, Minowa sensei called me over and said it was time for me to learn Choun no Kon (趙雲の棍). Now, whether I thought I was ready for it or not was irrelevant; Minowa sensei had decided. The Choun no kon as passed down by Minowa sensei had come from Taira Shinken,… Continue reading
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Taira Shinken’s Business Card
Here is a little known fact about Taira Shinken. At one point, Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinkokai founder Taira Shinken referred to his organization as the Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Kenkyukai – The Ryukyu Kobudo Preservation & Study Association. You can see this in the highlighted business card of his above. Interestingly, we can also see from… Continue reading
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1st Amami Karate & Kobudo Demonstration: Part 1
While going through my belongings recently, I stumbled upon an old program that I had kept from the first Karate and Kobudo demonstration organized by Minowa sensei on Amami Oshima in 1981. As I reread it, I was struck by some of the things he had said, which I found particularly insightful. I wanted to… Continue reading
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