Okinawan Te In the Footsteps of The Masters

Known for its knock-out strikes fluid footwork & bladed weaponry Okinawan te is a survivor that has endured due to its ability to adapt to social changes. In 1609 in order to suppress Okinawa's developing military might & vast trading links the Japanese Satsuma clan launched a massive invasion & subjugated the island kingdom. Until then te had been a bushido battlefield system with organised castle & naval warfare. However under Satsuma's rule the Okinawan bushi could no longer bear arms in public or have standing armies so te was transformed into a personal fighting system & recreational activity. Within karate Okinawan dance & music the hidden essence of te still provides the framework. It fills Okinawan cultural life & keeps its subtle social machinery revolving. In this detailed work the foundation stones of Okinawan te are laid out through the explanations of historic technical photographs left by the masters for future generations; their forethought has enabled us to walk in their footsteps.