Field Trip in Brief
I recently ventured to Nishihara and visited Hokama Testuhiro's famed Karate Museum. I was not disappointed by the trip. Hokama Sensei was busy painting the outside of his museum when I stopped by, and dropping what he was doing, he ushered me in and walked me through his museum. I found him to be extremely friendly, and his English was on par. I was accompanied by a Japanese friend of mine who he would ask about me in Japanese trying to figure out: how I knew about his museum, how I knew so much about Okinawan karate, why I was so interested. It's not the first time these questions have been asked in my quest, and I doubt that it will be the last. He did remark, however, that it surprised him that foreigners were more interested in Karate history than Okinawans were. He mentioned that the majority of visitors to his museum are gaijin, which is why he felt it was important for him to study English.
There are several prized artifacts that are a part of his collection, but a couple stood out in my mind. The first was an original copy of Chibana Sensei's Karatedo no Kokoro e. The second was an original copy of Chibana Sensei's Butoku. After asking permission and paying a nominal 100 yen fee, I went picture happy, snapping away inside and outside of his museum. He later asked me if I could help move a ladder for him which I happily did. He introduced me to a couple of his students who were helping him paint, and his granddaughter who speaks English pretty well for a 10 year old Japanese girl, payed him a visit as well.
An original copy of Chibana Sensei's Karatedo no Kokoro e framed in the center
An original copy of Chibana Sensei's Butoku framed in the centerMy thanks go out to Mr. Joe Swift who suggested I pay a visit to the museum. Hopefully, I will be able to continue my relationship with Hokama Sensei and get more information on Chibana Sensei. After speaking with my instructor, I have decided to make a contribution to his museum that he will more than likely prize. I would also highly encourage anyone with a penchant for karate history to pay a visit to his museum.
From left to right: My friend Mayumi, Hokama Sensei's granddaughter Miyu, Hokama Sensei, Me
From left to right: My friend Mayumi, Hokama Sensei's granddaughter Miyu, Hokama Sensei, Meposted by gijoe | 3:03 AM
7 Comments:
I'm glad you're finally getting a little more free time to do some research. I always look forward to what you find out.
It doesn't surprise me that the people most interested in karate are foreigners. I grew up in Texas, and I've spent more time studying Zen Buddhism than cowboy history. ;) It's always the other culture that's more interesting.
I have been reading your blog for a couple years now, its always full of great stuff-I am also a student of Shorin Ryu (Shidokan)and find your research on Chibana very interesting. :)
Hey Terry,
I just came across your site throug Karate Thoughts Blog. This blog looks like a dictionary ! Great job you're doing here.
By the way, is there any way we can contact you by mail ? If so please send a reply to lorrez_d@yahoo.com.
Thxs and keep writing :D
Dave
I just stumbled onto your blog while googling for information about a similar project I have recently undertaken -- "The Aragaki Ankichi Project."
Wonderful stuff! This is what the Internet should be about!
You know that there are three Americans who were probably in the dojo while Chibana Chosin was still active, don't you?
Kyoshi Eddie Bethea in Kokomo, IN, Syd Campbell in Oakland, CA (I understand he's not in good health though) and Noel Smith in/around Virginia Beach, VA.
Also, have you talked to Mr. Minoru Nakazato? Hanshi, 9th dan, he was probably in the dojo as a child with Chibana also.
Nice site, I hope you carry on.
Thank you for the information, and when I return to the United States I may go look up some of these individuals. I do believe, however, my current posting in Okinawa puts me in a far better position to gleam information than being back home.
I've actually spoken with Nakazato Shuguro himself 2 years ago when my instructor and I paid him a visit in 2006. I got some insights concerning Chibana Choshin during that visit, but I do not feel compelled to share the information I received at that time just yet. I'm planning on visiting Nakazato Shuguro again, trying my luck on my own with my instructor's blessing. Hopefully, he will remember me favorably as my instructor visited him again last year.
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