Taira Shinken Question

[Joe Swift]

This is a question that probably Doug or Mario could answer,,,

Inthe annals of the Ryukyu self defense traditions, many of its famous pioneers has nicknames, such as Mutubu nu Aji Umei (Motobu Choyu), Mutubu nu Saru (Motobu Choki), Busa Maagushiku (Miyagi Chojun), Chan Migwa (Kyan Chotoku), etc.

Did Taira Shinken have a nick name like this?

Thanks for your time,,,

[Doug Daulton]

Originally posted by Joe Swift ... In the annals of the Ryukyu self defense traditions, many of its famous pioneers has nicknames, such as Mutubu nu Aji Umei (Motobu Choyu), Mutubu nu Saru (Motobu Choki), Busa Maagushiku (Miyagi Chojun), Chan Migwa (Kyan Chotoku), etc.

Did Taira Shinken have a nick name like this?

Joe-san,

Good question. To my knowledge, he did not have a nickname per se. However, Taira was not his birth name. His actual family name was Meezato or Maezato, depending on how you romanize the name (pronounced May-zahtoh).

As a result two of the kata he developed bear his original family name under the Akamine line ... Meezato no Nunchaku (aka Taira no Nunchaku) and of course, Meezato no Tekko.

As a young boy, Taira was adopted by family members and apparently went by Meezato until he was a young man ... then for some reason he started going by Taira.

Perhaps Mario can shed some light on the subject. I also double check with Dometrich Sensei as my memory may be a bit jumbled on this point. :D

Happy New Year all!

[Ken Allgeier]

Doug,

Do you have any information about the book " Encyclopia of Okinawan Weapons" by Taria Shinken,that is being printed by 'Master pub'.

price $100.00


ken allgeier

[Doug Daulton]

Originally posted by Ken Allgeier ... Do you have any information about the book " Encyclopia of Okinawan Weapons" by Taria Shinken,that is being printed by 'Master pub'.Ken,

Mario McKenna actually brought this to my attention recently. So I emailed Don Warrener at Master's publication. I've included his reply below. I've not yet called to order request the special flyer. Will do so tomorrow and post comments to this thread when I receive it.

Take care,

Doug Daulton

******** START ENCLOSURE ********

----- Original Message -----
From: "Don R Warrener" <donrw@earthlink.net>
To: "Doug Daulton <ddaulton@ryukyu-kobudo.org>
Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2000 5:51 PM

Doug wrote:

>> Mr. Warrener,

I understand you've recently released "The Encyclopedia of Okinawan Weapons" which appears to be Taira Shinken's "Ryukyu Kobudo Taikan" translated by Eihachi Ota

Is this true? If so, can you provide some details? I am interested in ordering it.

Thanks,

Doug Daulton <<


Hi Doug,

It will be released early 2001 and if you would like a special brochure I suggest that you call Annette at 1-905-573-1810 she has them and will be happy to send it to you.

Thanks DW
Masters Martial Arts
D. Warrener
628 N. Doheny Dr.,
Los Angeles Ca.,
90069 USA
Phone1-310-248-3633
Fax 1-310-278-1783

Email donrw@earthlink.net
Web Site http://www.masterspub-mas.com

********* END ENCLOSURE *********

[Edited by Doug Daulton on 01-11-2001 at 07:31 AM]

[Ken Allgeier]

I just recived in the mail today some information from ' Masters Publication' about , Taira Shinken's book-" Encycopedia of Okinawan Weapons"


Chapters include:

Intro to Okinawan Kobudo.

History of Okinawan Kobudo.

Kobudo fighting Techniques.

Kobudo kata,

Shushi no Kun
Hamahiga no Sai
Hamahiga no Tonfa
Sueyoshi no Kun
Nunchaku-jutsu kata


It also states that the book " features all the original photos from the original text".


I always understood that ,Taira Shinken , wrote 4 or 5 books on Kobudo, I wonder if this edition is a abrigded version of the original books ?







ken allgeier

[Doug Daulton]

Originally posted by Ken Allgeier ... I always understood that ,Taira Shinken , wrote 4 or 5 books on Kobudo, I wonder if this edition is a abrigded version of the original books ?Ken,

Thanks for the update on the Masters translation. It sounds like this is a translation of the Ryukyu Kobudo Taikan.

To answer your question, Taira intended to publish a multivolume set, of which the Taikan is only the first volume. As far as I know, manuscripts exist for the subsequent volumes, however they have never been published in Japanese or English.

I'd love to see the other volumes published, but I gather it may not happen. Publishing is expensive and the market for these books, while passionate, is rather small.