The Enormous Power of the Keikoken
10. Ankichi: The Young and Multi-Talented Bushi
Toe-Kicker Extraordinaire
A Profound Knowledge of Music, Folk Dance, and Classical Drama
Powerful Enough to Seize the First Bolt of Lightning
PART TWO: MY PHILOSOPHY OF KARATE-DO
11. The Power of Myth
12. Ken Zen Ichinyo (Karate and Zen are One)
Through True Karate Only, Can Inner Peace Be Found
Musashi and Teshu Both Taught the Significance of Zen
Awakening One’s Inner Self Through Zen
Dedicated to Seeking Ken Zen Ichinyo
13. Basic Instruction for Zazen
Placement of Cushions
Positions of the Hands
The Lotus Positions
Stabilizing the Body
Adjusting the Vision
Initial Deep Breathing
Breathing in Meditation
PART THREE: TEGUMI AND MASTER GRAPPLERS OF OKINAWA
14. Okinawan Tegumi
Introduction
Tegumi and the Origins of Okinawan Sumo
Gatherings, Venues, and the Sumo Ring
Differences Between Okinawan and Japanese Sumo
Master Directors, Referees, and Announcers of Okinawan Sumo
Principal Techniques of Okinawan Sumo
15. Biographies of Okinawan Tegumi Meijin
Akarie Matsuzo
Hawaii’s Kawasaki vs Okinawa’s Kinjo: The Confrontation
Kawasaki Kitatsu
Kinjo Masayuki
The Kawasaki and Kinjo Match
Uezu and Ishikawa: A Confrontation of Small Wrestlers
Uezu Jiryo
Ishikawa Seijin
The Match
Okinawan Sumo in Postwar Japan (c. 1946-1956)
Kushi Jokei: Sumo Critic
Makishiugan: The Big Venue
The Future of Okinawan Sumo
Appendix: Okinawan Karate and World Peace
Foreword
I wonder if it was 1940 or 1941 that I first noticed that remarkable photograph in the display corner of Matayoshi’s Photo Studio on Uenokura Street in Naha. It was a photograph portraying two men standing together, bare-chested. Their musculature was very impressive. One man wore a topknot, and at a glance I could tell he was a sumo wrestler. By comparison, the other man was very short and narrow-shouldered. However, his deeply trained muscles and bone structure were not inferior to that of the six-foot sumo wrestler.
At that time I had come home to Okinawa for winter vacation, but I remember returning to Tokyo with an impression of that picture still fresh in my mind. Fortunately I had a friend, a sturdy shodan (1st degree black belt) in judo, who also practiced karate, from whom I found out more about that impressive photograph.
The sumo wrestler was named Satonishiki and the other man was Mr. Nagamine Shoshin, a local master of karate. My friend explained that Nagamine Sensei was a policeman and one of the most prominent martial artists in Okinawa. Although this was my first time to hear the name of Nagamine Shoshin I already knew of his physique from the photo at Matayoshi’s studio. I also learned that the sumo wrestler Satonishiki was ranked in the top ten by the monthly magazine Baseball World. At that time, headline articles and pictorials of sumo wrestlers were featured in this popular magazine, issued by Baseball Magazine Company.
The physical contrast between Nagamine Shoshin and Satonishiki was obvious from that photo. However, being neither an expert of physical education nor familiar with karate or sumo, I was uncertain who was the stronger of the two. Admiring that photograph at the Matayoshi Photo studio, I still remember to this day how impressed I was by it.
The eminent Funakoshi Gichin came from the head of my family. He was the cousin of my father. Gichins father’s name was Gishu, and my grandfather, Gifu, was his brother. Actually, Funakoshi Gichin was old enough to be the parent of my father. Funakoshi Gichins second son, Giyu, was the same age as my father. In my youth I was influenced by uncle Giyu, and often visited Gichin’s house. At that time he had his new dojo at the Kishimojin area in Zoshigaya, Tokyo.
Called the Shotokan, I often visited Funakoshi’s dojo on Sundays as a messenger of uncle Giyu. Uncle Gigo, the third son of Funakoshi Gichin, taught there at that time. Uncle Gigo commanded me to practice in the dojo, but Gichin Sensei said I was not suited to practice karate. That didn’t mean that I was not interested in karate, it just meant that I didn’t practice it. However, I continued going to the dojo regularly. I wanted to be strong like other boys, but the notion of training my mind and spirit through the discipline of martial arts just did not capture me at that time. However, I now regret that I could not find the courage to enter Gichin Sensei’s world, even though I was so close to him.
It was Nagamine Ichiro (no relation) who first gave me the chance to feel close to Nagamine Shoshin Sensei. Nagamine Ichiro had asthma as a child. However, after he studied karate under Nagamine Sensei, his health improved. After the war, Nagamine Ichiro recommended that I also consider practicing karate because of my asthma problem. At that time, both Ichiro and I worked for the Okinawan Peoples’ Government (forerunner of the Ryukyu government). Ichiro had overcome his asthma problem through karate training. This interested me, but I couldn’t decided whether or not to begin training because I was so lazy.
Even though I had heard the name of Nagamine Shoshin often since 1940 or 1941, it was not until I moved back to Naha in 1950 that I was finally able to meet him. I can’t remember just how I became so close to Nagamine Sensei, but I did.
These days I don’t see Nagamine Sensei very often, but when I do, I feel as if it was just yesterday that we last met. That’s how close we are. Yet, not being a budoka, I can’t imagine that I am a very good companion for the master, never speaking about the discipline. Nonetheless, the story of Master Nagamines enlightenment through bu is a great lesson for us all. Master Nagamine is a great inspiration, not only for karateka, but also for people like myself, who remain outside of the discipline.
In this book, Master Nagamine presents the combat legacy of our people: the legend of Okinawa’s bushi (warriors). Included in his presentation are Matsumura of Shuri, Matsumora of Tomari, Motobu Saru, and Kyan Chotoku, among others, all famous bujin (martial artists). After I read the manuscript once, I felt that this was the first book about karate that was both illuminating and easy to understand.
I was impressed that Nagamine Sensei did not