In Master
Gichin Funakoshi's Rentan Goshin Karate Jutsu, he began the section on history
in a very introductory manner, considering that karate was so new to the
Japanese. He then talked about the various theories of the development of
karate. We know that all of these are true and that they must therefore be
amalgamated.
Master
Funakoshi also discussed the similarity between Okinawan folk dances and karate. He
felt that the "dances reflect native Okinawan movements and are the
forerunners of the karate of [the day]." (Karate Jutsu, The English
Translation of Rentan Goshin Karate Jutsu, Author: Gichin Funakoshi,
Translator: John Teramoto, Trans.: 2001, Orig.: 1925, Japan Karate-Dō Shōtōkai and Kodansha International Ltd, P. 25.)
The fact that children form their hands into fists naturally in Okinawa is not
actually so unique; all human babies do this. Fighting is, of course,
completely natural. In Origins of Shōtōkan, I wrote: "It is obvious that the
martial arts are ancient to the point of no beginning, always being in
existence throughout the history of life, essentially. Such is the lifespan of
conflict." (Origins of Shōtōkan, Sean R. Marshall, Marshalls'
Art-Productions {Marshall & Marshall Publications}, 2013, History
Section.)
Master
Nagahama was one of Itosu's teachers. He was from Naha and learnt Shōrei-ryū from Master Ason. Therefore,
so-called Shuri-te, for example, is not actually purely of he village of Shuri.
Furthermore, Itosu studied under a certain Master Gusukuma (Shiroma) of Tomari
village, and perpetuated Gusukuma's lineage. Whether or not this is why Master
Itosu taught a different version of fist-formation,
is not evidenced at present. It is, nonetheless, interesting.
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