Toyama Kanken
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Karate Studies: Translation Update
Some readers may be aware that I’ve been intermittently translating “Karate Studies” magazine for nearly three years now. I’m delighted to announce that yesterday, I received a proof copy of “Karate Studies” (空手研究). Much like my previous endeavors in translating old Karate books, working on “Karate Studies” has been a blend of love and frustration.… Continue reading
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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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Let’s Talk About Karate Styles
Japan has culturally and historically been an ordered and hierarchical society. Therefore it comes as no surprise that its martial traditions (武道-budo) mirror this same structure. Until the conclusion of WWII, Japanese martial traditions were designated as different styles (流-ryu) or off-shoots (派-ha) and were centrally administered by the Great Japan Martial Virtues Association (大日本武徳会-Dai… Continue reading
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Miyagi & Kenpo
Originally published in Toyama Kanken “Karate-do: Okugi Hijutsu” (1956) pp.161 to 175, the meetings of the 1936 meeting of Karate Teachers on Okinawa hosted by the Ryukyu Shimpo provides a window into the rapid changes that Karate was undergoing at the time. Although there are many excellent translations of the minutes, and perhaps I will… Continue reading
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