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A visit to Okinawa experiencing and exploring the heart of traditional Karate-Do

By Brad Wells

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In early July of last year with typhoons approaching, generations of Karateka from Okinawa and the United States gathered in Naha, Okinawa, at the Tokashiki Dojo. What they had in common was the fact that they have studied practiced and taught

in the tradition of the Nagamine Dojo for decades. Their common purpose was to honor their commitment to continuing the teachings and essence of Grand Master Shoshin Nagamine’s art.There is a growing sentiment that these types of opportunities must be sought out and, ever more pressing by the tremendous loss of karate masters in recent years. These were masters of not only Shorin-ryu, but also Goju-ryu, Uechi-ryu, Kempo, and Motobu-ryu. The masters lost where men whose own training was firmly rooted in the Karate-Do prior to World War II and the many changes that occurred with the globalization of the arts. Traveling to Okinawa is often said to be going to the “birthplace of Karate”. It is also where you find its heart.

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Shoshin Nagamine was internationally renowned many years before his death in 1997. He was once a police superintendent who stepped down from his position to open one of the first public schools of Oki-nawan Karate. From that resignation, he went on to receive the Order of Rising Sun, Fifth Class, from the Prime Minister’s Office for his contributions to Karate, chief among them the creation of “Matsub-ayashi-ryu”.

O’sensei Nagamine’s own instruction is credited to men through whom you can trace Okinawa- Te to its very deepest roots. His first instructor was Sensei Arakaki a student of Shinpan Gusukuma, and Chosin Chibana (founder of Kobayashi Shorin-ryu). The second of the three instructors was the great Chotoku Kyan. The third was Motobu Choki who began his studies of karate under Anko Itosu, continuing under Matsumura Sokon, Sakuma Pechin and Kosaku Matsumora.

It is the outcome of these teachings that Master Shōshin Nagamine’s art represents and what the generations of students gathered every morning to train in at the Hombu Dojo. Among them Takeshi Ta-maki: 9th Dan: Hanshi, Kyudan and president of International Sho-gen-Ryu Karate-Do Kyokai. Also present was Masahiko Tokashiki: 8th Dan Kyoshi, Hachidan Vice President, and Sadahiro Makino sensei, who was kind enough to act as Translator. Tamake Sensei (the most senior living student of the Nagamine Dojo) began his training at the Nagamine Dojo in 1955, at the age of 15. Also present 18-year-old yadanshi student Asataro Shiroma fortunate enough to be a student of Tamaki sensei. Shiroma, who was born nearly 60 years after his own sensei’s birth, represented the face of the generations who continue to learn the art.

The American group of fourteen led by Jerry Figgiani, 8th Dan and president of the Shorin Ryu Karatedo International (S.R.K.D.I.) found themselves in a whirlwind, both metaphorically and literally. The group was begun at the urging of Sensei Joseph Carbonara. Car-bonara was a senior student of the first instructors sent to teach in the US by O’sensei Nagamine Ansei Ueshiro and Chotoku Omine.

The word Typhoon comes from the Chinese word “tai fung” great wind. When it is influenced in English by the Greek term “tuphon” it is whirlwind. The days in Naha were an incredible whirlwind that brought a tremendous change in the relationship between the two groups. As the S.R.K.D.I. members entered the dojo they noticed a copy of the Shomei-sho (certificate) that recognized the official affili-ation between the two organizations hanging on the front wall of the dojo. The certificate hung there with the photos of Okinawan Karate masters Choki Motobu, Kensei Taba, and Shoshin Nagamine.

The Shomei-sho presented in 2013 on the last evening of the S.R.K.D.I. trip to Okinawa is very unique and special given contem-porary martial arts in general’s divisiveness. But in fact, it is indicative of the earliest days of Karate-do when the Okinawa Karate-do Federa-tion was founded and “Matsubayashi-ryu” was one of the styles repre-sented. Also represented in the Okinawa Karate-do Federation where other styles of Shorin-ryu, along with Goju-ryu, and Uechi-ryu. Of

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course, today it is difficult enough to get factions of the same style to agree, let alone various ones to form an alliance such as the Okinawa Karate-do Federation. But history shows that such division has not always been the case and it is good I think to reflect on that from time to time.

The certificate of cooperation was the culmination of bonds that went back over a half century between the dojos of New York, and Naha. But to Figgiani it was a hum-bling almost overwhelming experience. He was momentarily taken back thinking of Sensei Joseph Carbonara’s encouragement, just six years earlier. Since then the under-taking was made possible by the hard work, effort and support of Figgiani’s students and contemporaries, without which the journey would have never taken place, let alone achieved so much.

You could say the support, certificate, and relationship dated to the time when Ameri-can servicemen were allowed to enter Nagamine dojo in Okinawa, following World War II. Eventually these men returned to the United States and some begin teaching, includ-ing James Wax, Shōshin Nagamine’s first American black belt. Then the Grand Master, handpicked first Ansei Ueshiro and then Chotoku Omine to go to the United States and teach. Sensei Terry Maccarrone, an early student of Ansei Ueshiro has commented on the importance of these men being sent to the United States and then students within their lineage like Jerry Figgiani being sent to Okinawa to represent the American dojos. He went on to explain their demonstration of “respect and cultural awareness was evident” and Okinawan sensei’s “felt comfortable with the foreign interests”. Sensei Terry Maccarrone believes it is this great interest in Okinawa as a cultural experience that is still evident today within members of the S.R.K.D.I. that contributes to the strong ties the group has seen with Okinawa.

Sensei Maccarrone in fact encouraged Figgiani to train with Carbonara, who was a student of Omine. It was in this way that members of the S.R.K.D.I. benefited from An-sei Ueshiro and Chotoku Omine instruction, both of whom were senior most instructors at the Nagamine dojo prior to being sent to America. This technical expertise was in-valuable in the early years of the development of the East Coast dojos understanding of the art. That technical guidance today continues with the announcement that Takeshi

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“The certicate of cooperation

was the culmina-tion of bonds that went back over a half century be-tween the dojos of New York, and

Naha.”

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Tamaki Sensei will serve as Technical Director to the Shorin Ryu Karatedo International organization.

This opportunity under the guidance of Takeshi Tamaki Sensei is indicative of a relationship that seems a bit like the eye of a typhoon itself, with the winds of change blowing in the kind of relative still-ness firmly planted in the teachings of Shōshin Nagamine. The prac-tice of the style does not take place in a vacuum. It is not immune to the differences of opinion that are common once a great leader has passed. What intrigues the writer is the growing number of kara-teka that look to the commonalities between interpretations, and the search for the in-depth meaning of the Masters word’s and teachings.

Tamaki Sensei serving as Technical Director of the S.R.K.D.I. will serve as a continuation of the training experience the group has had visiting Okinawa. The groups practice began at 6:30 in the morn-ing an hour before breakfast when they gathered to train in kata. Weather permitting outside (in the wind). If not, in the basement of the hotel they would review and prepare for the day’s visit to the dojo. Prior to training at 7:30 AM, generally there would be breakfast at the hotel. At 10:30 AM the group would be picked up by van for sightseeing including visits to Shurijo Castle, and Nakagusuku Castle, as well as paying respects to the late Taba Sensei at his family shrine and gravesite. Sightseeing was followed by afternoon training, many hours of hard work, exploring the nuances of kihon, basic and advanced kata, as well as kihon and kata for bo.

Hours in the dojo were always followed by a meal. Topics of his-tory, culture, and of course the techniques and kata that have been practiced that day and in preceding sessions were discussed. During one such meal Zenpo Shimabukuro Sensei Head of Shorin Ryu Sei-bukan Karate joined the group. He explained he always enjoys meet-ing karate enthusiasts and talking with them about Okinawan Karate and history. He made the point that he had known Tamaki sensei for many years, reminding them that he is the oldest student of Shoshin Nagamine sensei. He went on to communicate how fortunate they were to have their association with Tamaki sensei to help preserve Matsubayashi style (Shogen-ryu). Adding “I hope you can promote the style in the United States.” These are interesting comments com-ing today from a master who has dojo’s of his own in the United States. His visit and subsequent communications are a wonderful example of the Okinawan philosophy promoting the art as a whole.

Okinawan Karate can be a very different experience when you actually train in Okinawa. Sensei David S. Hogsette a member of the party (An English professor) wrote of the group’s visit “Train-ing in Okinawa under the highest-ranking Shorin Ryu sensei’s is an experience that cannot be accurately described in words. It must be experienced individually.”

One of the biggest examples of this was mentioned by every interviewed member of the group was the Okinawan Masters support for what Sensei Ed Chin (a direct Chotoku Omine) referred to as Figgiani’s bringing in a “new era of Shorin Ryu”. Every member of the group that I have talked to commented in some way on a discussion stemming from Tamaki Sensei stating how he liked Sensei Figgiani’s imagination for bunkai. In substant

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correspondence, it was conveyed that “Tamaki Sensei is extremely satisfied with Jerry’s actions.” And that he feels “He is striving to take kata to the next level to ensure stu-dents can continue to grow in this art form.”

Continued growth in the art was stressed by the sensei’s on Okinawa. Both Tamaki Sensei and Tokashiki Sensei discussed that a book even one such as master Nagamine’s book, The Essence of Okinawan Karate-do, cannot possibly cover everything and should not be followed too closely. They explained their belief that a book is in many ways lim-ited by what it can transmit. This from the perspective of Tamaki Sensei and Tokashiki Sensei men who received direct daily instruction from Sensei Nagamine and Sensei Taba. From that experience they came to understand the importance of imagination.

These are the type of differences that go to the heart of the matter that split many followers of Masters who are no longer with us. It is a form of orthodoxy that believes that if it was not written or cannot be quoted from direct conversation, interview, or film, etc. it should not be practiced. In the case of those following the teachings of the Nagamine dojo, it is particularly curious as the master himself wrote in The Essence of Okinawan Karate-do “...we concentrate our senses and minds on finding a way to defeat the opponent. Utilizing the physical power, intelligence and karate technique we have so far achieved.” (1)

Sensei Nagamine’s words “so far achieved” seems to allow for growth. That’s what many love so much about Matsubayashi-ryu. Its practice utilizes intelligence instinct and imagination. Indeed, Nagamine wrote about, such utilization “this seems to be simple and ordinary, yet it is sometimes neglected and disregarded even by the experts.” (2)This quotation can be seen to be revolutionary by some, but it was published as early as 1976

This kind of historical and cultural perspective, along with technical guidance during the training was of paramount importance to the group. As an example of instruction that can be difficult to put into words. Sensei Nestor Ramos spoke of how the training consisted of, among other things, the nuances of the “internal body mechanics” in rela-tion to the creation of power within the relatively small and quick movements. While very impressed with the execution of the Okinawan masters, Ramos conveyed to me being equally impressed to the point of astonishment with how “very forthcoming” the master’s were. Commenting on how the instructors spent the time on the floor discuss-ing and refining technique rather than countless repetitions on the deck. It was this kind of “openness” that was relayed over and over by the group as one of the most remarkable experiences they had.

The trip to Okinawa was once again demonstration of the group’s decades of interest and commitment to the study of the essence of Okinawan karate-do and culture. This was again recognized by the Okinawan Masters, just as it had been the case decades before. When asked for the purposes of this article about Jerry Figgiani’s group, the leadership of International Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do Kyokai leadership replied that they are “totally satisfied with the cultural exchange and hope that this continues for many years to come.”

As this last visit came to an end they gathered for the last evening at the Tokashiki Dojo. Each of the members of the party had an opportunity to express their apprecia-tion for the experience by performing their favorite Kata for the entire group. They did so in the dojo on whose front wall, along with photos of Choki Motobu, Kensei Taba, and Shoshin Nagamine hang the certificate of affiliation between Kokisai Shogen-Ryu

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“The trip to Okinawa was once again demonstra-tion of the group’s decades of inter-est and commit-

ment to the study of the essence of Okinawan karate-do and culture.”

Karate-Do Kyokai, and the Shorin Ryu Karatedo International, something that when Joseph Carbonara encouraged the start of the organization in 2009 “would have been inconceivable for me” explained Figgiani

As part of the direct affiliation with the Kokisai Shogen-Ryu Karate-Do Kyokai, all Yudansha members of the SRKDI may travel to and train in Okinawa at the Tokashiki Dojo, as well as receive a certificate of rank recognition from the Hombu Dojo in Oki-nawa signed by Tamaki Sensei.

In the ceremony at the dojo, including Okinawan dancing and music befitting the group’s cultural interests sensei Figgiani read the certificates aloud to the members of the American group as they were presented with individual yudansha certifications by Sensei Takeshi Tamaki. The ceremony concluded with Figgiani receiving his eighth Dan certificate from master Tamaki, and the formal announcement of Sensei Takeshi Tamaki becoming the technical advisor for the Association.

Many members of Sensei Figgiani’s group making the trip to Okinawa expressed how difficult it was to really articulate their experience. Sensei Arthur Drago who began his training in Shorin ryu in 1964 (in the direct lineage of Ansei Ueshiro) put it this way in his over 50 years “of martial arts practice, the chemistry of our guests and travelers, reached beautifully to us all in the training and exchange of cultures!

The Hombu Dojo in Okinawa has expressed how pleased they were with the level of cultural exchange as well as the level of Karate witting to Sensei Figgiani “Tamaki and Tokashiki Sensei are very pleased with what you are doing with Shorin Ryu. They hope that our relationship continues to grow enabling generations to continue to learn this art.”

That is exactly what Figgiani’s intention is, to continue to honor Sensei Carbonara’s wishes and to provide an open and collaborative environment for the study and practice of Shoshin Nagamine’s teachings.