PDA

View Full Version : Need help identifying current Okinawan Masters from footage



bartfast
31st July 2014, 17:33
Hopefully someone here can lend me a hand. In 2011 I had the opportunity to participate in the 5th Uchinanchu Festival in Okinawa, and I was able to get some great photos, and videos of some of the best Martial Artists in the world. Unfortunately, I have no idea who anyone is since I don't speak Japanese, and all announcements were in Japanese.
I have recently begun a Blog, and I would appreciate any help in identifying these Masters so I can help others (and myself) appreciate the performances further by knowing their names, styles, and names of Kata etc.
The post with photos: http://waxingonoff.blogspot.com/2014/07/5th-uchinanchu-festival-dedicatory.html
The post with Videos: http://waxingonoff.blogspot.com/2014/07/5th-uchinanchu-festival-karate-and.html

Though the blog is still growing, I think you will find some other articles interesting as well.
Thanks for any help!

armanox
17th August 2014, 03:45
In the photos:

The older gentleman with the red belt (10th Dan) (doing Naihaichi) is Takeshi Miyagi, no doubt about that.

armanox
17th August 2014, 03:49
Video number two looks like a version of the kata Jion. Number three is a version of the kata Seisan.

Paul Snader
10th December 2014, 19:45
Hi,
Video #7 is my Sensei, Seikichi Iha Sensei 10dan Beikoku Shido-kan, living in Lansing Michigan. He is the senior student of Katsuya Miyahira Sensei.
Video # 10 is Seigi Shiroma Sensei 10th dan from Guam. Also a student of Katsuya Miyahira Sensei.
Hope this helps.
Paul

armanox
10th December 2014, 20:11
Hi,
Video #7 is my Sensei, Seikichi Iha Sensei 10dan Beikoku Shido-kan, living in Lansing Michigan. He is the senior student of Katsuya Miyahira Sensei.
Video # 10 is Seigi Shiroma Sensei 10th dan from Guam. Also a student of Katsuya Miyahira Sensei.
Hope this helps.
Paul

Number 11 is one of Iha's students, I recognize the uniform (and Iha's variation of Passai Sho)

Paul Snader
10th December 2014, 20:17
Yes, you are right Pat. His name is Uji and he lives in the Chicago area. Good eye.

armanox
11th December 2014, 05:36
Yes, you are right Pat. His name is Uji and he lives in the Chicago area. Good eye.

There we go! Another name filled in on the list! My time spent with members of Iha's group is minimal, and I've certainly never been over to the Chicago area, much less the class. There are but a few of his students that I would be able to identify (actually, I seem to be the main person mingling between the two groups. Our group is small over here, and we've primarily kept to ourselves for a very long time.)

I'm not sure how many more we'll be able to fill in though. I may see about getting some information from over there if the OP is still interested.

armanox
11th December 2014, 05:39
Also, Mr. Snader, welcome to the forum!

Paul Snader
11th December 2014, 16:27
Thanks Pat,
The Sensei after Miyagi Sensei is Minoru Higa Sensei. He is the nephew of Yuchoku Higa who also was a student of Chibana Sensei. He is the head of the Kyudokan Karate Association.

I see you are in Maryland, are you with Miyagi Sensei?

armanox
11th December 2014, 20:45
Thanks Pat,
The Sensei after Miyagi Sensei is Minoru Higa Sensei. He is the nephew of Yuchoku Higa who also was a student of Chibana Sensei. He is the head of the Kyudokan Karate Association.

I see you are in Maryland, are you with Miyagi Sensei?

That would be correct, I am with Miyagi Sensei's group.

Paul Snader
11th December 2014, 20:53
Very cool, I have met Miyagi Sensei several times. Once out at Iha Sensei's and then again in Okinawa. Where you part of the group that was with Miyagi Sensei at the celebration in August of this year?

armanox
11th December 2014, 21:18
Sadly I was unable to attend - a car accident at the beginning of the year ate up my funds and vacation time from work (and also set back my leg usability) . We had a small handful go, lead by Mr. Jim Lilley.

Paul Snader
11th December 2014, 21:30
Sorry to hear about your leg, hopefully it's better now.
I asked because I thought we might have trained together in Okinawa during the celebration.
I saw Lilley Sensei and his wife there. I'm assuming you train with them?
Does Lilley Sensei have a website?

armanox
11th December 2014, 22:17
Thank you. It's mostly better - but not as good as it was. It's getting there.

I train at his student's schools normally (under Dan Simons and Bruce Charity, both 8th dan). Only a few of our group made it over their in Aug (can be found in this videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLwDHbUD8oI, taken at Miyagi Sensei's dojo in Aug).

No website right now, and our website (the Baltimore school) is extremely outdated (http://kobayashiusa.com/, last updated in 2007. I'm also not sure that the email is still active either). I'm happy to provide any information you might be curious about.

Paul Snader
12th December 2014, 04:28
Glad to hear it.
No information needed, just always glad to meet and talk to another practitioner of the Shido-kan Karate-do lineage.
Have a great holiday.

Paul Snader
19th December 2014, 02:41
Pat,
I found another one for you. After Higa Sensei is Isamu Arakaki, Hanshi 10th dan.
He is the chairman of the Okinawa Prefecture Karate-Do Rengokai.

Paul Snader
19th December 2014, 02:46
I forgot to add, I'm sure you know this already but the famous photo you have at the end at Shuri Castle, the group is being lead by Shinpan Gusukuma Sensei.