THE TORCH IS PASSED

The Legacy of Akamine Eisuke's Commitment to Ryukyu Kobudo

by Douglas Daulton

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The Torch is Passed

During his many years as Taira's student, Akamine made a living as a farmer, factory worker and restaurant owner before becoming a carpenter. By all accounts, he was an exceptional carpenter and made most of Taira's bo, sai and nunchaku. In his later years, Taira primarily taught in the garden at Akamine's home. The torrential rains common in Okinawa often interrupted training. In 1970, at Taira's request, Akamine built a tin roof over the garden and enclosed two sides. In this dojo, Taira distributed the only certificates of rank he ever issued. Among these was Akamine's shihan certificate. After Taira succumbed to cancer, Akamine finished the remaining two sides of the dojo with traditional stacking windows to provide ventilation. Once completed, Akamine named the dojo the Shinbukan in honor of his teacher.

It is this same dojo that Akamine's original students came to train. In the years since, the original building has been replaced by a more modern, three-story building which contains his home, dojo and his daughter's koto (string instrument) dojo. And, little else has changed. Akamine kept the name, structure and goals of Taira's organization intact. He taught waza and kata for the nine weapons of Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinkokai: bo, sai, nunchaku, kama, tekko, tuifa (millstone handle), eiku (oar), suruchin (weighted rope/chain), and tinbe (shield and short spear). In addition, Akamine continued Taira's tradition of research and with the help of his students, has brought several kata back from extinction.

A Worldwide Legacy

By all accounts, Akamine was a quiet and stern teacher whose primary focus was the development of waza. In an era where tournaments have made the modern student yearn for the next dynamic, winning kata, Akamine would say, "If I teach you kata, you will forget it tomorrow. But, if I teach you waza, you will have it for a lifetime." In fact, his senior students recall never being taught a kata by Akamine. Instead, he would drill them incessantly on waza. It was the senior student's responsibility to show their juniors the embusen (path) which chained individual waza together in the series of techniques and transitions that formed a kata. If the student's waza were not correct, their kata would certainly be wrong.

With a small dojo and a focus on quality rather than quantity, Akamine intentionally kept his student roster small. He only has fourteen first generation students: Oshiro Hidekazu, Yoza Masao, Tamayose Choichi, Yonamine Kousuke, Inomoto Masaru, Chigiri, Yoshiko Dometrich, Shinzato Yoshihiko, Kinjo Kiyoharu, Miyazato Kousuke, Takara Sachi Yoshi, Kuniyoshi Yukio, Taira Seizo, and his third son Akamine Hiroshi.

While most of his original students remain active in their training, three have had particular influence on the development of Ryukyu Kobudo in Okinawa and beyond her borders.

Inomoto Masaru (b. May 27, 1938)

Inomoto Masaru was born and raised in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. After joining the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force at the age of seventeen, Inomoto began the study of Chito Ryu karate, under founder Dr. Tsuyoshi Chitose. Taira Shinken conducted several kobudo clinics at Chitose's dojo. Inomoto attended several of these seminars and became quite interested in Ryukyu Kobudo. However, he would not have the opportunity for regular instruction until some years later when his military career took him to Okinawa in 1973.

Knowing he would be staying in Okinawa for six years, Inomoto sought out Taira Shinken. Upon hearing of Taira's death, he sought his successor and found Akamine. After explaining his interest, he was accepted as a student. Today, Inomoto is a kyoshi nanadan (seventh degree black belt) in Ryukyu Kobudo and responsible for its development in Kyushu, Japan. He is also hachidan (ninth degree black belt) in Chito Ryu karate and nanadan in Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu iaido.

Takara Sachi Yoshi (b. March 23, 1949)

Takara Sachi Yoshi was born in Oroku Village, Okinawa. At a very young age, he learned ti from his father. A rambunctious youth, he moved to mainland Japan at the age of sixteen. There he met Sugihara Kenpu and studied Shuri-ti Shorin-ryu karate. Sugihara's dojo was also a shibu (branch school) of Konishi Yasuhiro of Shinto Shizen-ryu karate. As a result, Takara was exposed to a broad base of waza. After ten years of study, Takara returned to Okinawa.

Seeking to continue his training, Takara became a historian of Ryukyuan busaa. Through his research, he met and trained with many teachers from across the island. This path eventually led him to the Shinbukan and Akamine in 1975. In addition to RyuKyu Kobudo Hozon Shinkokai, Takara also learned Funakoshi-ryu karate from Akamine. A cheerful and powerful practitioner of an eclectic blend of karate, Takara is a kyoshi nanadan in Ryukyu Kobudo. Today, Takara shares primary teaching responsibilities with Akamine Hiroshi at the Shinbukan.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

In 1983, Doug Daulton began training in Matsubayashi Shorin-ryu karate under Bill George in Harrison, Ohio. In 1990, he attained the rank of shodan (first degree black belt). He continued his studies under Frank Grant and attained nidan in 1994. In 1990, he began his study of Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinkokai under Devorah Yoshiko Dometrich and attained shodan in 1995. Currently, he co-owns The River Dojo of Cincinnati, Ohio with close friends, Bruce Helwig and John Daley. He also studies Shinto Muso Ryu Jojutsu.
Email: ddaulton@ryukyu-kobudo.org

For more information on Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinkokai, please contact:

Devorah Yoshiko Dometrich
Ryukyu Kobudo Hozon Shinkokai
Beikoku So Hombu
690 Huff Road
Dry Ridge, Kentucky 41011
Phone/Fax: (606) 824-3792
Email: ydometrich@ryukyu-kobudo.org
Web: http://www.ryukyu-kobudo.org

Bibliography

Bishop, M. (1996). Zen Kobudo: Mysteries of Okinawan Kobudo and Ti.
Tokyo, Japan: Charles E. Tuttle Co.

Jansak, W. & Daulton, D. (1999). Muchimi: A Brief Biography of Devorah Yoshiko Dometrich
Bugeisha, #7 54-60

Radulovich, S (1999) Higa Yuchoku. http://www.kenkyujo.com/yuchokuhiga.htm.
Ottowa, Ontario: To-de Communications

Sansom, G. (1963) A History of Japan: 1615 - 1867.
Stanford, California: Stanford University Press.

Silvan, J. (1998) Oral Traditions of Okinawan karate.
Journal of Asian Martial Arts, 7 (3): 73 - 95

This article is reprinted with the kind permission of
Mr. Angel Lemus, Editor, Bugeisha.net