History

2025/07/1

The blog as a book

Karate’s history is richer and more complex than popular narratives often suggest. Based on this blog, Investigations into the history of karate (Lulu, 2025) brings together a diverse collection of essays that explore the art’s overlooked figures, pivotal moments, and forgotten contexts. From the pioneers of Hanashiro Chōmo and Yabu Kentsū to the appearance of karate Continue reading

New book

Bettelheim, Frank Capra, Funakoshi Gichin, Hanashiro Chomo, History, Itosu Anko, Itosu monument, japan, judo, kata, Kodokan, Okinawa, Poems, Propaganda film, Yabu Kentsu
2018/11/15

Review of important German karate history book

Heiko Bittmann has been one of the most important German experts in the teachings and history of karate, not least since his highly acclaimed German dissertation Karatedō. Der Weg der Leeren Hand (Karatedō. The Way of the Empty Hand) (1999). This was followed in 2000 by Die Lehre des Karatedō (The teachings of Karatedō), a Continue reading

Book review

German, Heiko Bittmann, History, Okinawa, Ryukyu, Teachings

About Me

Thomas Feldmann is an independent researcher and writer. He studied human geography, Japanese culture, history, and language in Germany and Japan. He holds a diploma degree in East Asian Studies from the University of Duisburg-Essen. His main interest lies in the historical study of East Asian martial arts and its protagonists. For his historical biography Ankō Itosu. The Man. The Master, The Myth he received the 2021 IRKRS Writer of the Year Award. For his book Yabu. The Untold Journey of an Okinawan Man he received the 2024 IRKRS Writer of the Year Award. Besides his writing passion, he works as a freelance public relations consultant and interim manager.

History

The blog as a book

Review of important German karate history book