Historical Corrections
by Kyoshi Jeff Nagata In recent years,
many books have been written trying to explain and piece
together the history and lineage of Okinawan karate.
The time is coming near an end for some of the great
Okinawan masters. The generations that follow will most
certainly be denied some of the historical facts that
surround these great karate-ka and their past because
some of the information contained in these books is
inconsistent. Yet, we can only hope to believe what
we read or have been told by others is true. Fortunately,
there are some great Okinawan karate-ka that are in
a generation that remembers many of the great Grand
masters who lived in the 1940's and earlier.
One of these gentlemen is Hanshi Zenpo Shimabukuro,
Kudan/9th degree, Supreme Sensei of the International
Seibukan Karate-do Association, son of Grandmaster Zenryo
Shimabukuro, the founder of the Seibukan Karate-do system
of Sukunaihayshi. I've been instructed by Hanshi Zenpo
Shimabukuro, Supreme Sensei of Seibukan Sukunaihayshi
Karate to clear up a few of the inconsistencies related
to his father, Grandmaster Zenryo Shimabukuro, himself,
and Seibukan karate-do (Sukunaihayshi style). The intention
is to relay to the reader the true facts that Hanshi
Zenpo Shimabukuro wanted to clarify for all karate-ka
searching for information about their "roots"
and/or lineage as it directly relates to the Shimabukuro
family and Seibukan. The following information is from
an in-depth interview with Hanshi Shimabukuro, written
with as little amount of paraphrase as possible. I played
the "devils advocate" as much as possible,
while Shihan Jamal Measara, who is very knowledgeable
about Okinawan martial arts history, asked key questions
about quotes in books that referred to the Zenryo Shimabukuro
family heritage, Seibukan karate, and Sukunaihayshi.
Lineage of Grandmaster Zenryo Shimabukuro
(lineage chart is specific to Shimabukuro clan only)
Zenryo Shimabukuro trained under Grandmaster Chotoku
Kyan for 10 years and learned the katas; Seisan, Ananku,
Wansu, Pasai, Gojushiho, Chinto, Kusanku, and Tokumine
no kun.
Zenpo Shimabukuro and Zenji Shimabukuro (cousin to
Zenpo Shimabukuro), studied under Grandmaster Chozo
Nakama for a short time, to learn Pinan 1-5, Nahanchi
1-3, Jion, and Pasai-Gua. They were asked by Grandmaster
Zenryo Shimabukuro, to spend time training with him,
and so were formally introduced to and accepted by Grandmaster
Chozo Nakama.
Facts related to other Sensei claiming to have "trained"
under Grandmaster Zenryo Shimabukuro:
NOTE:
Before you read on, I must define the differentiation
between "trained" vs. "learned".
Hanshi was very adamant about this, because he believes
this is where much of the misunderstanding and misinformation
comes from. By definition, for this article, "trained"means
the person actually trained with the class, with the
Sensei, on a almost daily and yearly basis. That means
the student learned more than just kata moves, but also
participated in kihon, kumite, kata, all the things
that one would expect in a normal dojo environment.
"Learned" means that the person was taught
the pattern/moves of the kata, but little else. Interesting
enough, according to Hanshi Shimabukuro, this happened
a lot in Okinawa, and he witnessed a few people who
came only to learn one kata, no bunkai.
List of some Sensei's who "are claimed" to
have "trained under" and hold direct lineage
to Grandmaster Zenryo Shimabukuro in various literature:
Isamu Tamotsu:
Trained in the Seibukan Hombu dojo for only 6 months.
To their knowledge, he had no previous karate experience
before he came to the Hombu dojo (possibly Judo experience).
Was introduced to Nakazato Joen by Zenryo Shimabukuro
to learn Tokumine no kun. According to Hanshi Shimabukuro,
Tamotsu did not study karate from Nakazato Joen. At
one time, Grandmaster Zenryo Shimabukuro and his son
Zenpo traveled to southern Kyushu to participate in
a tournament, and stayed with Isamu Tamotsu. Hanshi
Shimabukuro has some very old photos of Tamotsu and
Grandmaster Zenryo, some we hope we can publish on the
web site someday.
Shihan Toma:
Did not train or learn kata under Grandmaster Zenryo
Shimabukuro. He studied under Seiki Toma.
Fusei Kise:
Did not train or learn kata under Grandmaster Zenryo
Shimabukuro. He studied under Shuzen Maeshiro. Shuzen
Maeshiro did learn kata from Zenryo Shimabukuro, but
did not formally train in the Hombu dojo.
Katsuhide Kochi: Also studied under Shuzen Maeshiro.
Did not train or learn kata under Grandmaster Zenryo
Shimabukuro.
Clarification of a few facts written about Grandmaster
Zenryo Shimabukuro and the organizations or associations
he belonged to:
Chubu Shorin-ryu:
This name has been mixed up in some literature, and
has even been listed as a "style" associated
with the Shimabukuro family. Chubu is not a style of
shorin-ryu. It was an organization that was formed in
1967. Chubu means "central" as in central
region. The association was formed when the All Okinawa
Karate-do Federation, or Zen Okinawa Karate do Renmei
was formed. There were so many shorin-ryu schools around
that they separated the schools into representative
regions. Chubu covered all shorin-ryu schools within
Kadena, Okinawa City, Gushikawa, Ginowan, and Chatan.
These are all located in the central region of Okinawa
prefecture. Chubu Shorin-ryu was lead by Zenryo Shimabukuro.
Nambu Shorin-ryu covered the Southern region, and was
lead by Joen Nakazato.
Other systems like Goju-ryu, Matsubayashi, Kobayashi,
etc., were separate organizations within the Federation.
An interesting point that Hanshi Shimabukuro brought
out is that Grandmaster Zenryo Shimabukuro was instrumental
in lobbying for, and spearheading the creation of the
All Okinawa Karatedo Federation.
Why did Seibukan leave the All Okinawa Karate-do Federation?
In August of 1981, Zenpo Shimabukuro, Shoshin Nagamine,
Seikichi Higa, Eichi Miyasato, and Yuchoku Higa, left
the All Okinawa Karate-do Federation and formed the
Okinawa-ken Karatedo Renmei. This was done to affiliate
with the All Japan Karatedo Federation, which placed
them under the JAA, or Japan Athletic Association. The
primary reason for doing this was getting Okinawa karate
recognized as a National Sport in Japan. The first president
was Shoshin Nagamine, and the present president is Katsuya
Miyahira.
In addition to this Federation, Seibukan is also affiliated
with the Okinawa-ken Karatedo Rengokai, or Okinawa Prefecture
Karate League. Within this organization is a sub-organization
that is the only organization that recognizes and certifies
original and traditional Okinawa karate. This organization
is called the Okinawa Dento Karate Kobudo organization.
The current president is a successful businessman, Tensei
Taba,Vice Presidents are Nakazato Shuguro and Katsuya
Miyahara. The technical committee is comprised of Seikichi
Higa, Zenpo Shimabukuro, Tsutomo Nakahodo, Ikken Tokashiki,
Nakamoto Masahiro, and Isamu Arakaki. Senior Advisors
are Shoshin Nagamine and Meitoku Yagi.
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