Shinshii Choki Motobu : A True Pioneer

                                   Teacher of Teachers

      LIFE & TIMES of  O'SENSEI  CHOKI  MOTOBU

 

                             SHORINJIRYU  KARATE &  KOBUJUTSU

At A time when pursuing one Karate style was considered unconventional and an arduous undertaking,  Choki Motobu explored other styles of fighting (A revolutionary act), in order to hone his fighting skills and expand his pugilistic abilities. His birth in A Noble (Udun) Ryukyu family, greatly facilitated his receiving Karate instruction from such notable Teachers as : Anko Itosu, Matsumura (Shuri-Te) and Sakuma Pechin Sensei, and Matsumora Kosaku (Tomari-Te). At Matsumura Dojo, Motobu excelled along with his close friend, Yabu Kentsu.

Motobu's philosophy of "Authenticity of Experience", compelled him to put his Karate abilities to test, and not merely rely on academic treatises, nor pursuit of pure Kata practice. Choki Motobu never refused A challenge, and in hundreds of street fights (Kakedameshi), mainly in Naha's dangerous red-light district (Tsuji-machi), was always victorious.  Motobu's fighting reputation was widespread, and despite his aristocratic family's disapproval, he was known around Ryukyu as 'Motobu Udon no Saaraa-Ume' (Lord Monkey of The Motobu Udun).

Chronology of  O'Sensei Choki Motobu's Mature Years

1870                                Born on April 5

1921                                Moved to Osaka, Mainland

1922                                Brief Return to Okinawa (Meeting & Training with Seikichi Uehara**)
 
1923 to 1924                  (Nov.) Knocked-Out John Kentel (6 ft. European Boxer)w/knuckle strike, behind his ear.

1925                                Article published in King's  # Magazine depicting Gichen Funakoshi instead of Motobu, Sensei. [No effort was made to rectify this wrong doing and apologies were never expressed]

1924 to 1926                   Moved to Tokyo : Opened "Daidokan Dojo"

1930                                In A 'friendly' face-off with Gichen Funakoshi**Motobu Sensei executed an ashi-barai, throwing him on the ground,stopping A punch to Gichen's face[Tokyo]

1936                                October 25, Master's Ryukyu Shimpo (Symposium on Okinawa)

1941                                Closed Daidokan Dojo & Moved to Osaka

1942                                Moved Back to Okinawa Prefecture 

1944                                Died on April 15 (age 74).

**     Uehara Sensei  : "Choki Motobu punched my arm so hard, I thought it was broken."
 
** #  The demise of Foreign Boxer by Motobu Sensei was published [ September 1925 ] by Kodansha Corp.( owner of King's Magazine, friends of Jogoro Kano & Gichen Funakoshi ), But instead of Choki Motobu,  Funakoshi's likeness was employed. Needless to say Motobu was not very pleased with this erroneous depiction, which had A deliberate air of deception about it.
        

Choki Motobu Sensei wore KOGAKI (mask), on some occasions and challenged worthy Karateka, such as Chikara "Strong" Takaesu, in order to test his fighting skills and learn about Strengths and weaknesses of other Ryukyu-Te practitioners.

                                           Books & Manuals by O'Sensei Motobu :

***     Watashi no Karate-Jutsu (Part I) 1919-1920
***     Okinawan Kempo Karate Kumite (Manual of A Ryuha) 1924-1925
***      Okinawan Kenpo Karate-Jutsu Kumite Hen (Oldest Jissen Manual ) 1926 
***      Watashi no Karate-Jutsu (Part II) Nihanchi Kata (Whole Sequence) 1932-1933

Motobu Sensei, was disillusioned with what he called the "misaligned direction of State and Contemporary Karate", creating Kata and Kumite which did not embody the True Spirit of Okinawa-Tii.  His main concern was the formation of emerging Karate Styles (lacking Spirit), Modernizing (Kata) and Codifying (Waza) established and proven techniques and traditions for Sport and Competition; with no respect or adherence to the Original Purpose, Authenticity, or Pragmatism of Combat. Needless to say his parochial conservative attitude towards Tradition, and views on True Karate Spirit, did not endear him with mainland Martial Arts Council, backed by governmental elites, both on mainland Japan and Ryukyu Governor (mainland appointed) and Prefecture, who were pursuing A broader agenda.

Unlike Funakoshi, a teacher by trade (spoke & wrote in Japanese),who had adopted mainland culture and assimilated well into the Japanese mainstream,  O'Sensei Ckoki Motobu who was A descendant of Ryukyu Kings. He never learned (Japanese) fluently and spoke only pigeon Japanese. His noble birth afforded him the common attitude by Ryukyu upper class which viewed speaking any other tongue besides Uchina-guchi as beneath their station. Also his combat prowess, outspoken remarks and social attitude did not endear him with the new emerging western looking diplomats and bureaucrats in Tokyo and elsewhere in Japan. He was viewed by mainlanders as arrogant, brutish and uncultured. His fighting ability was consistently criticized and rumors circulated behind his back, since no one dared express anything but praise in his presence.

Choyu Motobu Sensei, was about thirteen years older than Choki Sensei, and as the oldest of the three Motobu sons, became the 11th Head of Motobu Udun family. Study of  Kobudo, Tuiti and Horsemanship were the cornerstone of family ryuha. Ryukyu Tiijutsu (Okinawan Karate) was only available to Royal court, families of military (Shuri), aristocratic class, and wealthy (Naha) merchants.

                                           Ch~O~Ki  Sensei             Ch~O~Yu  Sensei
                                               (1870-1944)                    (1857-1928)

Choyu Sensei had A keen interest in Ryukyu folklore and cultural heritage. He honed his studies on Mai-no-Te(Tii), the relationship between Mai (Dance) and Bu (Martial) gestures and movement. Choyu Sensei delineated the difference and similarities of Ryukyu Buyo, in such hand positions and gestures as : 
Oshi-Te,  Koneri-Te and Te-Ogami.

                                    NIHON  DENRYU  HEIHO  MOTOBU  KEMPO                                                        
Choki Motobu Students:

Among his many students, were Japanese Boxers, Judokas, Foreign Nationals and Emissaries. Kosei Kokuba, Shigeru (Tom) Miyashiro, Nakata Sensei, Maruya Sensei and Motobu's own son Chosei Motobu. He also taught the Police Forces and several schools and universities.




In 2005,  October 25th, was declared  "KARATE   DAY"  by  Okinawa Legislature.
This was in honor of  Motobu's Sensei's 1936 Ryukyu Shimpo, Historical Symposium & Speech.
Also Acknowledged O'Sensei Motobu's Contributions to Ryukyu Culture and Heritage.

O'Sensei Choki Motobu and later another (Motobu Udundi Kobujutsu Kyokai) Teacher, Seikichi Uehara Sensei, were subjects of personal attacks and attempts at character assassinations by those who were irritated with their outspoken criticism and emphasis on Kumite. Envious of their RyukyuTii knowledge, abilities and an uncompromising attitude towards (purity of martial transmission) practicality of combat. In those days,  Jissen Kumite was unconventional and most Tiijutsu teachers prioritized Kata practice and basics, and frowned upon 'free-fighting', which would have challenged their fighting abilities.Motobu Sensei however was not afraid of being challenged and unconditionally welcomed, all who came to observe first hand, his fighting skills and physical prowess.

O'Sensei Motobu was an innovator and extremely progressive for his time. Although he had A deep rooted respect for Tradition, he did not hold himself or his students to An archaic regimen that did not permit  forward thinking and promoted An open atmosphere, that allowed experimentation. He cherished pragmatism above all and did not hesitate to approach other teachers in order to enhance his fighting repertoire. These qualities made him unpopular with those who were intent on maintaining the status quo. And later, Uehara Sensei (of Motobu Udundi) underwent A similar experience with his attitude towards combat effectiveness of styles and his opinion on discarding superfluous techniques and traditions.

Shorinjiryu Karate & Kobujutsu