(Part 3)

Shimabukuro: Here in Okinawa, we used to call ŵiiǁor
ŵeǁfor karate. To
differentiate from it, we called ŵoodiiǁor ŵodeǁfor
karate that was
brought from China.

Nakasone: I think we have almost made clear about the name of karate. Now
we would like to discuss about the promotion of karate. It is regrettable
that karate is no popular in Okinawa at present. We need to find a solution
to promote karate in the fields of physical education and martial arts
education.

Furukawa: There are a lot of Ryu or styles in karate now. I think we have
to unify them at any cost. I hear there are small differences between Shuri
style karate and Naha style karate. I think both styles should be unified
and we should make Kata of Japanese Karate-do. In the old days, we had
about 200 styles of Kendo (= swordsmanship), but now they have been unified
and we have the standard Kata of Japanese Kendo. I think karate would
become popular all over the country if we had the unified Kata. For
example, we can newly establish ten Kata as Japanese Karate. The name of
each Kata should be changed into Japanese, such as Junan-No-Kata (soft and
stretch kata), Kogeki-No-Kata (= offensive kata) and so on. In this way, we
can conform the name of Kata to its content. And I also think we should
make karate a competitive sport, so we should study how to hold a game of
karate. We would like to make a uniform of karate and standardize contents
and forms.

Chojun Miyagi: I agree to your opinion. With regard to Kata of karate, I
ever submitted the opinion with explanation to the headquarters of Dai
Nippon Butokukai (= national fighting arts association), when its Okinawa
branch was established. As to karate clothes, we also would like to make
karate uniform soon as we often have problems. As for terminology of
karate, I think we will have to control it in the future. I am also
advocating it, and I have been making new technical words and promoting
them. Regarding Kata, I think traditional Kata should be preserved as old
or classic Kata For the nationwide promotion of karate, I think we had
better create new Kata. We will create both offensive and defensive Kata
which are suitable for students of primary schools, high schools,
universities and youth schools. Mainly, we, the members of Shinkokai (=
karate promotion association), will make new Kata and promote them
throughout Japan. Now there are Physical Education Association and Okinawa
Branch of Butokukai. We also have senior students of karate and those who
are interested in karate. We, therefore, cooperate with them to study and
promote karate. If such organizations and experts study karate thoroughly,
we can make a decision about the karate name issue and karate uniform
relatively soon. I think the old Kata should be preserved without any
modification while new Kata should be invented, otherwise I am convinced
that no one will be interested in karate any longer in the world in the
future.


- to be continued -

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