In November 2007, Sensei Glenn Irvine undertook a training tour to the
birthplace of traditional Karate.
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The tour involved training in Tokyo and in Naha city in
Okinawa, at both the Okinawan Budokan, and the Jundokan (Goju) in Asato.
While staying in Naha city, Irvine Sensei undertook a search for many
of the Historic sites in Okinawa that have a special meaning to
Traditional Karate teachers and students.
Among these was a visit to Shuri Castle where much of the early
training was done in the vicinity by the founders of modern Karate
(Matsumura, Itosu, Funakoshi, Hanashiro etc).
Irvine Sensei spent some time trying to relocate the Itosu Monument
(left) raised by Choshin Chibana and his students in 1964, which had
since been relocated after the road that it stood beside was widened. It
now stands in a cemetery not far from it's original location, and Irvine
Sensei found it here with some help from the friendly staff of Shureido.
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| Several other monuments to the Masters of Karate were
also located including the one in Naha city in Matsuyama Koen (Park) for
the Masters Higaonna Kanryo and Miyagi Chojun (right). |
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While staying in Naha, Irvine Sensei visited the Jundokan Dojo
(left)
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| The bust of Chojun Miyagi stands in the Jundokan Dojo in
Asato (right) |
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Irvine Sensei also located the Tenson Shrine in the Naha Port
district. It is thought that the famous 'Bible' of Karate was hidden
here (left). This monument is only a few blocks back from Naminoue Beach
on the edge of a park, and was only discovered by chance. |
| While in the Port district, Irvine Sensei visited the
beautiful Fukushuen Gardens (right) which are considered to be an area
where many early Karate-ka would train with visiting Chinese. The
gardens have an incredible fountain/waterfall feature and is well worth
a visit by any Karate-ka who are staying in Naha. |
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The gardens are only a short trip from the old area of the Butokuden,
which now has the Okinawan Budokan built at the site. The new Budokan
(left) was built in 2004 and has three floors with a separate Dojo on
each. Students can train at the Budokan on any day other than Tuesdays
in 4 hour sessions starting at 9am, 1pm and 5pm. The training fee is 160
yen (about $1.60 at the time of the tour). You may only have to pay the
training fee of a visiting teacher as well. |
| While visiting the Budokan, Irvine Sensei met Yogi
Sensei, a 9th Dan Karate and 8th Dan Kobudo master. Yogi Sensei kindly
offered to introduce Irvine Sensei to the Arts of Kobudo. Particularly
training with the Bo (Kon in the Okinawan Dialect). Irvine Sensei
practiced the Bo Kata, Shushi No Kon with Yogi Sensei for 4 hours that
day (The whole session available in the Budokan) |
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While searching for the Karatedo Kobudo Support Center in Naha,
Irvine Sensei was approached by a road worker thinking he was looking
for a local Dojo. (The Dogi in the Bike basket was a bit of a giveaway)
This man pointed out the local Karate Dojo which just happened to be
Nagamine Sensei's Matsubayashi Family Dojo (left). Only a few blocks
back from busy Kokusai Dori in downtown Naha. |
| The photo on the right is at Shuri Castle in the early
evening. A beautiful time to see the castle as it is well lit. |
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The Shureimon (left), is famous as the logo for Shureido, and is one
of the main entrances to Shuri Castle. This landmark is well worth a
visit. |
| In Tokyo, Irvine Sensei visited old friends at the IKS
Hombu Dojo of Fujimoto Sensei (8th Dan). Fujimoto Sensei's son, Harutaka
(6th Dan) led training sessions and provided a welcome party for Irvine
Sensei on the first night there. (After a solid 12 hours of travelling) |
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