Investigations into the history of karate

On May 30, 1964, Master Chibana Chōshin 知花朝信 (1885–1969) and adoptive grandson Itosu Angō 糸洲安剛 (1915–1996) gathered family, friends, karateka and officials to remember Itosu Ankō 糸洲安恒 (1831–1915). Very close to his burying place in Furushima 古島 in Mawashi, a stone monument was unveiled to commemorate the venerable master. On that occasion, speeches were held and karate performances given.

I had the opportunity to meet with Itosu great-grandson Itosu Noboru and Kaichō Miyagi Takeshi in 2019 who both were attending the unveiling ceremony in 1964. Miyagi remembered: “Representatives from four dōjōs of Shōrin-Ryū karate associations participated in the ceremony and paid tribute to the late master with a karate demonstration. Together with Iha Seikichi, I took part in the performance on behalf of the Miyahira dōjō. The committee for this monument project was presided by Master Chibana Chōshin who became pupil of Itosu Ankō when he was 15 years old.“

Now, two newspapers articles unearthed from 1964 take us back to the memorable day.

(1) Ryūkyū Shimpō, May 30, 1964: きょう除幕式 (Unveiling ceremony today)

(2) Ryūkyū Shimpō, May 31, 1964: 故糸洲氏をしのぶ (In memory of the late Mr. Itosu)

The copies unfortunately are partly illegible and hard to read, but Motobu Naoki kindly helped me with the content. The May 31 article even featuring a photo says that a ceremony to unveil a monument in honor of the late Itosu Ankō, a fist master who devoted himself to the world of karate, was held at the Itosu family gravesite in Makabi, Naha City, from 4 p.m. on May 30.

Because of urban development, the grave and monument had been moved to another location in 2000.