60th Annual Nisei Week Japanese Festival

Welcomes 

World Matsubayashi-Ryu (Shorin-Ryu) Karate-Do Association

 World Seminar in Little Tokyo

By Charles C. Goodin

Periodically, the World Matsubayashi-Ryu (Shorin-Ryu) Karate-Do Association("WMKA"), headed by Master Takayoshi Nagamine of Naha, Okinawa, conducts a special "world" seminar in which Matsubayashi-Ryu practitioners from the four corners of the globe gather for training, meetings and fellowship. This year, the seminar will be held in Little Tokyo and hosted by Art Ishii, 5th dan, and head of the Matsubayashi Shorin-Ryu - Little Tokyo Dojo.  This is the first time that the WMKA's world seminar will be held on the West Coast.

The seminar will be held on Friday and Saturday, July 28th and 29th.  It is planned that Master Nagamine will be accompanied from Okinawa and assisted by Yasuharo Makishi and Yoshitaka Taira, both Kyoshi, 8th dan, and Executive Directors of the WMKA.  On Sunday, July 30th, seminar attendees have been invited to participate in the Nisei Week Parade under the Matsubayashi-Ryu banner.

Matsubayashi-Ryu, which literally means "Pine Forest style", was founded by one of Okinawa's greatest Karate masters, the late Nagamine Shoshin (1907-1997), Hanshi, 10th dan.  In a life and career that spanned nearly a century, he saw and participated in the transition of Karate from a secretive and mysterious practice into an art which spread beyond Okinawa's shores to the entire world.

He adopted the name Matsubayashi-Ryu to designate his particular style in July of 1947. The name was selected to honor Matsumura Sokon (1809-96) of Shuri-te, and Matsumora Kosaku (1829-98) of Tomari-te.  Through his own teachers, Nagamine Sensei is in the third generation from these renown karate pioneers.

Nagamine Sensei began his karate training in 1923 at the age of 17.  By that time, karate had become part of the secondary school curriculum in Okinawa.  The five Pinan ("Peaceful Mind") kata created by Itosu Anko (1831-1915) were already widely practiced.  Prior to their development, most beginners in Shuri-te and Tomari-te learned the three Naihanchi kata, which owe their name to the Naihanchi (straddle-leg) stance in which most of the movements in the series are performed.  Determining that the Naihanchi kata were not quite suitable for secondary school youngsters, Itosu formulated the Pinan kata as an alternative.  Most karateka will readily agree that the Pinan kata were derived from more advanced kata, particularly Kusanku.

Eighteen kata (forms) are practiced in the Matsubayashi-ryu system:
Fukyugata Ichi, Fukyugata Ni, Pinan Shodan, Pinan Nidan, Pinan Sandan,
Pinan Yondan, Pinan Godan, Naihanchi Shodan, Naihanchi Nidan, Naihanchi
Sandan, Ananku, Wankan (or Okan), Rohai, Wanshu, Passai, Gojushiho, Chinto,
and Kusanku.  These kata were derived from the Shuri-te, Tomari-te, and
Naha-te traditions.

Nagamine Sensei's first notable teachers were Shimabuku Taro and Arakaki
Ankichi (1899-1929), both of whom were well-known students of Kyan Chotoku
(1870-1945).  In addition, Arakaki Sensei had studied under Gusukuma
Shinpan (1890-1954) in primary school, Hanashiro Chomo (1869-1945) in
junior high school, and Chibana Choshin (1885-1969, founder of
Kobayashi-ryu) after he left school.  Kyan, Gusukuma, Hanashiro, and
Chibana Sensei were all students of Itosu Anko, among others.  As such,
they were all intimately familiar with the Pinan kata as well as the
advanced kata from which they were derived.

While still in high school, Nagamine Sensei had the opportunity to train
under Iha Kodatsu (1873-1928), one of the three leading disciples of
Matsumora Kosaku.  At the time, Nagamine Sensei was the captain of his high
school's karate club.  In preparation for a karate demonstration in Naha,
the club had to train every evening with Iha Sensei.  From Iha, Nagamine
Sensei learned the following Tomari-te kata: Passai, Chinto, Wankan, Rohai,
and Wanshu.

Matsumora Kosaku studied under two teachers.  From the first, Uku Giko
(1800-50), he learned the Tomari-te Naihanchi kata (there are three kata in
the series).  After three years with Giko, he was referred to Teruya Kishin
(1804-64), from whom he learned Passai and Wanshu.

After training with Shimabuku and Arakaki, Nagamine went on to train with
Kyan Chotoku himself when he was assigned to the Kadena Police Station.  By
that time, Nagamine had already learned Kyan's favorite kata (Passai,
Chinto, and Kusanku) from Shimabuku and Arakaki.  During his several years
with Kyan, Nagamine greatly deepened his understanding of these and other
kata.

Nagamine opened his first dojo, called the Tomari Ken Yu Kai (Tomari Fist
Group Association) in Naha, in May of 1942.  Kyan Sensei, despite his
advanced age, traveled from Yomitan village for the opening ceremony of the
dojo and performed the kata Passai, as well as a bo kata.

In 1936, Nagamine Sensei was sent for a six month assignment to study at
the Metropolitan Police Department in Tokyo.  There he had the opportunity
to study under the renown kumite (sparring) expert Motobu Choki
(1871-1944).  The younger brother of Motobu Choyu of the Motobu-ryu
tradition, Motobu Choki was not afforded the opportunity to study the
family's art.  Instead, he practiced on his own, developing great strength
and striking power by the use of chishi, makiwara, and other training aids.
 During the evenings, he could often be found testing his fighting
abilities in Naha's red-light district called the Tsuji.  Despite his
reputation as a self-taught fighter, Motobu eventually sought and received
kata instruction from Matsumora Kosaku, Yabu Kentsu (who resided in
California from 1919 to 1927), and others.

After his much publicized bout against a foreign boxer in Kyoto in 1921,
Motobu developed a following of students.  In contrast to the relatively
fixed style of karate being taught in Tokyo by Funakoshi Gichin, Motobu
stressed practical applications with tai sabaki (body movement) and ashi
sabaki (stepping and sliding).

Nagamine Sensei recalled that kata was also diligently practiced in Motobu
Sensei's dojo.  As a result of Motobu's instruction, Nagamine adopted a
higher rear hand position when blocking and striking.  In some styles, the
rear hand is held just above (and sometimes behind) the hip. In
Matsubayashi-Ryu, it is chambered horizontally near the chest to better
protect the ribs.  Also as a result of Motobu's influence, Nagamine
developed seven Yakusoku Kumite forms. Photographs of the forms, which
continue to be practiced in Matsubayashi-Ryu, are presented in The Essence
of Karate-Do (as are all the 18 kata of the system).

In 1940, upon the request of the Governor of Okinawa, Gen Hayakawa, he
developed a new basic kata for beginners.  That kata, Fukyugata Ichi, is
among the 18 kata practiced in Matsubayashi-Ryu.

Nagamine Sensei's first major English book, The Essence of Okinawan
Karate-Do (Charles E. Tuttle Company, Inc., 1976), became an instant
classic, and helped to introduce Matsubayashi-Ryu to the western world.
The book, which had been released in Japanese several years earlier,
includes detailed photographs of all 18 kata as well as the seven Yakusoku
Kumite forms.  The English translation of his second major work, Tales of
Okinawa's Great Masters, was released in late March, 2000.   In it,
Nagamine Sensei shares his lifetime of research on and personal
recollections of the founding fathers of Okinawan Karate-Do.

Nagamine Sensei greatly valued the Okinawan history and culture.  He was
highly accomplished at Okinawan dance and calligraphy.  In his early years,
he also studied Judo and Kendo, earning black belt ranks in both.  Zen was
also an integral aspect of his life.  He also was a world traveler.  He
visited Hawaii and the mainland United States several times.  He also
visited his member dojo in South America.  Everywhere he went, Nagamine
Sensei was an ambassador of Matsubayashi-Ryu and Okinawan culture.

Nagamine's last visit to the United States was in December, 1996.  He
traveled to Hawaii, where he was recognized by the Chozen-ji/International
Zen Dojo for his enlightenment through his dedication to "Ken Zen Ichinyo"
(Karate and Zen as One).  According to the Chozen-ji, he was the first
karate sensei in history to receive such an acknowledgement in the Rinzai
Zen tradition.

Nagamine Sensei formed and was the head of the World Matsubayashi-Ryu
(Shorin-Ryu) Karate-Do Association ("WMKA").  During his career, he had
well over 10,000 students in his dojo worldwide.  Several years ago, his
son, Master Takayoshi Nagamine, Hanshi, 9th dan, formally became his
successor in the WMKA and head of Matsubayashi-Ryu.  Grand Master Shoshin
Nagamine passed away peacefully on November 2, 1997, in Naha, Okinawa.  He
had continued to practice Karate and Zen until his very last days.

Master Takayoshi Nagamine has dedicated himself to carrying on his father's
legacy and leading the art into the coming millennium.  He personally
oversaw the development of the WMKA's comprehensive website
<www.matsubayashi-ryu.com> which features photos and articles about the
life of Grand Master Shoshin Nagamine and Matsubayashi-Ryu.  He also
continues to personally teach classes at the family dojo in Naha, Okinawa,
as well as conduct seminars internationally.  The great "pine tree" of
Matsubayashi-Ryu, planted by Shoshin Nagamine over 50 years ago, is being
nurtured by his son, Takayoshi Nagamine, and their dedicated students
around the world.

Matsubayashi-Ryu and Karate in general are important cultural assets of
Okinawa and Japan.  By practicing these arts, students learn to appreciate
many aspects of the Okinawan and Japanese culture.  In this way, Karate
training helps to increase understanding, respect and cooperation between
people.  Master Takayoshi Nagamine looks forward to Nisei Week and the
Nikkei Games and is very pleased to bring the World Matsubayashi-Ryu
(Shorin-Ryu) Karate-Do Association World Seminar to Little Tokyo.

About the author:

Charles C. Goodin is an instructor of Matsubayashi-Ryu at the Hikari Dojo
in Honolulu, Hawaii.  An attorney by profession, he has written numerous
articles about the art of Matsubayashi-Ryu and Karate history.  Currently,
he is writing a book about the early roots of Karate in Hawaii.

Our thanks to Mr. Goodin for his kind permission to present this story.  Look for an interview with Takayoshi Nagamine Sensei in

AMERICAN SAMURAI'S KARATE-DO NEWS.