Chatan Yara Lineage
This article presents my research-based reconstruction of how the Yara lineage developed from the early 1300s onward. It examines the historical relationship between the Indigenous Yara line and the later …
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Category: People & Martial Artists
Explore the lives, insights, and experiences of martial artists and influential figures through engaging interviews and stories.
Chotoku Kyan
Okinawan karate master Chōtoku Kyan preserved pre-modern martial traditions after the Ryūkyū Kingdom’s fall, maintaining a mentorship-based approach while engaging selectively with early modernization efforts. Okinawa at the End of …
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Itosu Anko
Life and Legacy Itosu Anko was one of the most influential figures in the history of karate. He shaped the way modern karate is taught. He built the bridge between …
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Tetsuhiro Hokama
A Life in Martial Arts While visiting Okinawa, I had the honor of meeting Tetsuhiro Hokama. He welcomed me warmly and took the time to share his deep knowledge of …
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Muso Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi
Muso Gonnosuke’s Journey In the world of martial arts, tales spin around legendary figures like Miyamoto Musashi. Yet, there’s a twist in the narrative – Muso Gonnosuke Katsuyoshi, an intriguing …
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James Pankiewicz interview
During my travels in Okinawa, I had the exciting opportunity to meet James Pankiewicz, a key figure in Okinawan martial arts. James Pankiewicz is a well-known figure in Okinawan martial …
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Kōsaku Matsumora
Kōsaku Matsumora was a respected practitioner of Tomari-te, a style of Okinawan martial arts that developed in the Tomari region. Kōsaku Matsumora was born in 1829 and received his training …
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Sōkon “Bushi” Matsumura
Matsumura Sōkon, also known as Sōkon “Bushi” Matsumura, was a revered martial artist from Okinawa who made significant contributions to the development and preservation of traditional Okinawan martial arts. Matsumura …
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Kanga “Tode” Sakugawa
Sakugawa Kanga, also known as Tōdī Sakugawa or Tōde Sakugawa, was a renowned martial arts master from the Ryukyu Kingdom, which is now part of modern-day Okinawa, Japan. He lived …
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