Investigations into the history of karate

It was in 1922 that karate began to be popularized outside of Okinawa Prefecture by Funakoshi Gichin 船越義珍 (1868–1957). A hundred years have passed since then. In this context, the Okinawa Karate Academy on November 24, 2022 dedicated a lecture to Funakoshi’s time on Okinawa: 空手普及100年 一 船越義珍の足跡をたどる一 (100 Years of Karate Popularization: In the Footsteps of Funakoshi Gichin) held by Nakamura Akira, Okinawa karate promotion division researcher.

In addition to information already widely known, there are a few interesting new insights into Funakoshi’s life. However, highlight by far are three Ryūkyūan poems or Ryūka (琉歌) from the pen of Funakoshi unearthed in 2021, which were presumably written in 1909. Thanks to the assistance of fellow karate enthusiast Aritomo Ito, it is my pleasure to share here today a first English language translation of these poems.

(1) 短いのは延ばして、長いのは短くして、 浮世にものさしをあてて渡りたいものだ。

I want to extend the short, shorten the long, and cross the floating world with a scale.

(2) 私の心を知る人がこの世にいらっしゃるならば訪ねていらっしゃい、一緒に語りましょう。

If there is anyone in this world who knows my heart, come visit me and let us talk together.

(3) 見る人は誰も他人に知らせてくれるな、人目を避けるこの二人の心を知ったのなら。

Let no one who sees me inform others, if you know the hearts of these two people who avoid being seen.

According to the Okinawa Karate Academy lecture, Funakoshi Gichin before he participated in a bōjutsu (棒術) demonstration at the Kyōto Butokukai (武徳会) in 1918 (!), he had already demonstrated karate in Ōsaka in 1910. At least in regard to this, modern karate history has to be rewritten in small parts, I guess. All in all, phenomenal news! The research continues.