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 from various masters, including Karyu Uku and Kishin Teruya. He emphasized the development of technique, character, and discipline in his teachings and had notable students […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
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 Sōkon was born in 1809 in Yamagawa Village, Shuri, Okinawa. He began his martial arts training at a young age under the tutelage of the […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
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 during the 18th century and is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in the development of Okinawan martial arts. Sakugawa Kanga was […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
Shōshin Nagamine, born on July 15, 1907, in Naha, Okinawa, Japan, was a renowned karate master who made significant contributions to the development and promotion of traditional Okinawan martial arts. He dedicated his life to the study and preservation of Okinawan karate, leaving behind a lasting legacy. Nagamine’s martial arts journey began at a young […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
The Shaolin Temple, located in Henan Province, China, is famous for its deep-rooted history in martial arts. It served as a sanctuary for Buddhist monks who sought refuge and engaged in spiritual practice. The Temple is widely recognized as the birthplace of many martial arts styles and has been a hub for martial arts training […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
Gichin Funakoshi (1868-1957) was a renowned martial artist and the founder of Shotokan Karate, one of the most popular styles of karate today. He was born in Shuri, Okinawa, which was then an independent kingdom, and began his martial arts training at a young age under various Okinawan masters. He is often referred to as […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
What is the Code of Bushido? The Code of Bushido is an old code, originating in Japan during the feudal period which lasted from the 12th to the 19th century. It was followed by the samurai warriors who were the ruling class of Japan during that time. The principles of Bushido have been passed down […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
Gichin Funakoshi wrote the Nijū kun principles, which he likely developed through his personal experiences and contemplation of karate’s practice and philosophy. The principles serve as guidelines for practitioners to follow not only in their training but also in their daily lives. Here, I’ll provide my interpretation of the NijūKun, offering a detailed elaboration of […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
First of all, what is Kalaripayattu? Kalaripayattu is a martial art form that originated in the Indian state of Kerala and is believed to be one of the oldest surviving martial arts in the world. It is a comprehensive system of physical, mental, and spiritual training that includes strikes, kicks, grappling, weapons training, and healing […]
Written by Gert Corfitzen Jürgensen
The creator of Dojo Kun. While it is difficult to say for certain who the creator of the Dojo Kun principles was, it is widely accepted that the Dojo Kun principles that are commonly recited in modern Karate schools were developed by Gichin Funakoshi, the founder of Shotokan Karate. Choshin Chibana, the founder of Shorin […]