System Lineage
Ryukyu Kempo Masters
MASTER SHIGERU NAKAMURA
Shigeru Nakamura was born in 1891 in Nago City. His father was a close friend of Anko Itosu’s most senior student, Kentsu Yabu(1866-1937). The Karate teacher at First National was Chomo Hanashiro (1869-1945) who was regarded as one of Itosu’s greatest students. In addition to Master Hanashiro, Anko Itosu and Kentsu Yabu came to the school once a week to teach the students karate. Nakamura was indeed very fortunate to be able to study under three of the greatest karateka in history.
He learned that Shinkichi Kuniyoshi, successor to the late Sakiyama, had moved to Nago. He asked Kuniyoshi to help him further his karate training. Kuniyoshi was so taken by Nakamura’s determination to learn that he decided to pass on his secrets of Chinese Kenpo to him. Nakamura began a hard, disciplined practice under Kuniyoshi that would continue for about ten years.
After Shinkinchi Kuniyoshi’s death, Nakamura codified his teachings into 12 empty handed kata: Naihanchi (3), Pinan (5), Seisan, Passai, Kusanku, Neseishi. His system was meant to be a representative of the true hand of karate on Okinawa. Being as such, he named his system “Okinawa Kenpo” which was infused with classical Chinese-hand principles and techniques. Because classical karate was highly influenced by Chinese Chu’an Fa (pronounced KenMpo in Japanese).
BOGU KUMITE
At that time of Shigeru Nakamura’s school being established, all Karate teachers in Okinawa were teaching kata but neglected to teach free style fighting because they felt it was too dangerous. Nakamura valued the importance of jiyu-Kumite (free style fighting) as well as kata. He openly stated to the Okinawan public that jiyu-kumite, was the actual application of kata, therefore, no jiyu-kimite, no karate. He invented protective equipment which consisted of a modified kendo mask, chest protector and gloves. Using this protective equipment, Nakamura was able to teach “bogu-tsuke kumite” (full contact fighting with protective gear). This was the first time in the history of karate that students could practice their fighting techniques at full power and full speed without worry of serious injury. This method of fighting was considered very important to Master Nakamura. He criticized the method of non contact fighting as being impracticable and ineffective. Although he received much criticism from other old fashioned schools, his method became more widely accepted with the passage of time.
By the 1960’s, the merits and values of bogu-tauke kumite were acknowledged by many karate associations and dojos, as well as high school and college karate clubs. Many karate tournaments adopted Master Nakamura’s method. Karate had also become quite popular in Japan at this time. The Japanese criticized the Okinawans for not placing enough emphasis on kumite. These allegations insulted Master Nakamura. He sent his students to compete in major tournaments throughout Japan. In the spirit of Okinawan power and performance the top three fighters at a major bogu kumite tournament were all from Okinawa with the top fighter being Seiyu Oyata.
Senior students of the Shigeru Nakamura lineage still include bogu kumite as part of their curriculum. Those lineages include those of Seikichi Odo and Seiyu Oyata.
TAIKA SEIYU OYATA
Oyata, Seiyu, founder and head of RyuTe Renmei (formerly Ryukyu Kempo) and Oyata Shin Shu Ho Ryu (family martial system) is responsible for introducing Tuite and Kyusho Jitsu to the United States. He has opened a page to the past that has given many the opportunity to discover that karate contains much more than mere punching and kicking.
Oyata is a descendent of Zana, Oyakata, a high ranking official of the Shuri Government before the Satsuma invasion Okinawa. Due to his heritage, Oyata received instruction from a direct descendent of the Okinawan Warrior class, Uhugushuku No-Tan-Mei. The Uhugushuku family were retainers of the Okinawan Monarchy serving as guardians for the Shuri Kingdom, a relationship dating back before the 14th Century. Uhugushuku was known as a kakurei bushi "hidden warrior", meaning he did not teach karate publicly, reserving his teachings only to descendants of the warrior class.
Under Uhugushuku's tutelage, Oyata learned the principles of weapons fighting, weapons kata and theory of technique. Uhugushuku introduced Oyata to Wakinaguri a descendent from the ancient Chinese families sent to Okinawa as emissaries. Wakinaguri continued to instruct Oyata after the death of Uhugushuku and responsible for his deep understanding of martial arts principles. After the death Wakinaguri, Oyata trained with Nakamura, Shigeru and other famous Okinawan Martial Arts Instructors.
Under Nakamura, Oyata learned the 12 basic kata taught in RyuTe and he helped to introduce bogu kumite, protective gear sparring in Okinawa. He served as chief referee for many of the major karate tournaments in Okinawa during the 60's. In the late '60's, Oyata won a major championship held in Japan.
Oyata's dojo was located in Machiminato, Urasoe where many US servicemen trained. In 1968 his visited the United States (with his senior students Albert Geraldi, Jim Logue, Bill Wiswell) for a short period and returned in 1977 where he established his organization in Independence, Missouri where he named Albert Geraldi president with Jim Logue and Bill Wiswell directors with Taika Oyata being the supreme instructor.
HANSHI ALBERT O. GERALDI
Hanshi Albert O. Geraldi was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and joined the Army in the early 1960's. Hanshi Geraldi became a Green Beret in the United States Army Special Forces stationed in Okinawa prior to the US involvement in Vietnam. Hanshi was an expert in military tactics, explosives, and military training where he coordinated and trained the Vietnamese Rangers and participated in special operations with Vietnamese Mountain Tribesman.
While stationed in Okinawa, Geraldi was introduced to Seiyu Oyata and began his study of Okinawa Te in 1963. Hanshi Geraldi received his official certification and second degree Black Belt before returning to the US in 1965. Hanshi Geraldi was among the key individuals responsible for bringing Taika Seiyu Oyata to the United States to introduce Ryukyu Kempo.
Hanshi Geraldi was a highly decorated New York City Transit Police officer where he served in the subways of NYC during the 1970's and 1980's. He became a certified instructor and taught police tactics in the NYC Police Academy to complete his distinguished 27 year career. Geraldi was recognized as Master Oyata's oldest and most senior student. Until his death, Hanshi Geraldi was the only living master that holds Menkyo Kai Den (teaching papers) from Master Shigeru Nakamura, Master Sekeichi Uehara and Master Seiyu Oyata.
Hanshi Albert Geraldi's Message about Ryukyu Kempo Origins: