to his official resume, when Makabe was between forty and fifty years old he journeyed once to Fuzhou, China, and twice to Edo (the old name for Tokyo), on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was expected that men like Makabe Chaan, “the scholar/warrior/diplomat,” would one day become powerful leaders for the Ryukyu government. However, Makabe Chaan passed away during the reign of Shoko-O, at the relatively young age of fifty-five years.
Shoko-O, the nineteenth century reclusive composer king, is perhaps better remembered for the artistic masterpieces he left behind than for his political ambivalence. Because of his reclusive preoccupation with music and poetry within the walls of the royal sanctuary, Shoko-O later became known as “Boochi-usuu,” the monk king.
Foreign ships appeared with increasing frequency in Okinawan waters during the reign of Shoko-O. Such sights indicated the beginning of the end of the Ryukyu Kingdom. The poem written by Shoko-O appears to reflect his anxiety over the turbulent changing social conditions of his time.
Since olden times in the Ryukyu Kingdom, Okinawans have adhered to the spiritual ritual of washing the bones of departed family members and airing out the O-hakka (family tomb) three and seven years after a death. In the case of Makabe Choken, we know that the date, October, 1829, indicating one of the dates his bones were washed, is inscribed on the vessel which contains his remains. Since the washing of bones is a custom performed three and seven years after one’s death, one might safely conclude that Makabe died in either 1823 or 1827. Living until the age of fifty-five, it is further reasoned that he was born in either 1769 or 1773. If these calculations are correct, then it would seem that Makabe lived about two centuries ago.
In 1772, during the ongoing Satsuma oppression, an enormous tsunami (tidal wave) hit Miyako and Yaeyama in the Ryukyu Archipelago, taking the lives of many people. Yet, in spite of this terrifying act of God, and the taxing circumstances under the iron hand of the Satsuma, the soul of the Ryukyu people never diminished.
It was during this period of great social adversity that the spirit of the Ryukyu bushi, now referred to as “karate spirit,” was profoundly embraced, further cultivated, and vigorously perpetuated. Surfacing as the most celebrated bushi of that burdensome era was “Tobitori” (the flying bird) Makabe Chaan, the first hero in the annals of Okinawan karate-do.
Chapter 2
TO-TE SAKUGAWA KANGA:
THE GENERAL OF GREAT LEARNING,
WISDOM, AND COURAGE
TRAVEL TO CHINA, DETENTION IN BEIJING
To-te Sakugawa’s birth name was Teruya Chikudon Peichin Kanga. He was born in Shuri in 1782. After examining the old island records of Yaeyama’s judicial office, Nagamine Shoshu, a Ryukyu historian living in Shuri’s Kanagusuku district, imparted the following information to me. When Kanga was fifty-four years old, he became an official in Yaeyama by the order of the Ryukyu Kingdom, and was given the name of Sakugawa because of his great achievements. According to the family lineage survey carried out by Sakugawa Kantei, a descendant of the great master, To-te Sakugawa was a ninth-generation descendent of Urazoe Uekata Kuan’an, and came from the Eki Clan.
To-te Sakugawa.
Alternative suppositions suggest that Sakugawa was first sent to Yaeyama while still in his thirties to became the chief registrar of the island. This theory maintains that because of his accomplishments in Yaeyama, he received the name “Sakugawa of Nakagusuku District.” If this were true, then it would seem that Teruya changed his family name to Sakugawa in his thirties rather than in his fifties. However, I feel more secure supporting the evidence from the official records of Yaeyama, than trusting folklore.
Sakugawa Kantei’s information also revealed that Kanga was born across the lane from Kougibo Sokuhoku’s home, the residence which once faced Osumiza Street, in Shuri, between Torihori and Akata. However, all that remains of that district these days is an empty space used as a parking lot.
The birthplace of To-te Sakugawa.
Shortly before the Americans returned control of Okinawa to Japan, I heard about an old man from Shuri’s Ishimine district by the name of Sakugawa who knew many stories about To-te Sakugawa. One day, together with my student, Shinjo Kiyoshi, I visited Sakugawa’s house.
Old man Sakugawa described To-te Sakugawa as an exceptionally strong and remarkably talented bujin who had trained since childhood. He also said that Sakugawa was intelligent and, much like Makabe Choken, had been expected since youth to advance as an important statesman for the Ryukyu Kingdom. However, it wasn’t until he was in his thirties that the Ryukyu Kingdom sent Sakugawa to China as a ryugakusei to enhance his physical and intellectual properties.
Having a basic understanding of Okinawa’s changing social matrix can improve a reader’s ability to evaluate the pressure of the Satsuma during the lifetime of To-te Sakugawa. In 1844, the French Warship, Alcmene, arrived in Okinawa, bringing a Catholic missionary named Forcade. Its appearance indicated that the Kingdom was beginning to yield to the demands of the outside world in spite of strict Satsuma control. To protect their interests and further restrict direct commerce with the foreign presence, the Satsuma overlords confiscated local currency and issued a new Okinawan legal tender. Called Ryukyu Tsuho, all islanders were, by law, obliged to use the new currency.
The following is based on what Sakugawa from Ishimine District told me. As the book Okinawa, 1000 Year History describes, all tribute ships that sailed the treacherous waters between China and the Ryukyu Archipelago during feudal times were equipped with a turret, artillery, and weapons such as arrows, spears, guns, and explosives. Fast and well protected ships were necessary if the habitual attacks by coastal pirates were to be avoided or quelled. The average length of these ships was fifteen tan (159 meters) and they sailed in three vessel convoys. The vessels were constructed of pine and cryptomeria, or evergreen oak. Sails were woven from the leaves of “sweet flags,” which are particularly resistant to wind and rain. There was a record which indicated that in 1626, King Shotei ordered ship carpenters to reinforce the hulls of all ships with this material to protect them against termites and rough seas.
It was the responsibility of the captain and crew to be able to defend their cargo and vessel against attacks during a voyage. Hence, proper training in combative disciplines was essential. Designated the official vessels of the Ryukyu Kingdom, tribute ships carried both valuable cargo and important passengers to China. Tribute was the single most important aspect of the Ryukyus’ social economy, and, therefore, no expense was ever spared when it came to ensuring the safety of cargo, passengers, and crew.
In the event of an assault, which was quite frequent during feudal times, passengers who were skilled in combative disciplines were, by order of the King, commanded to aid the crew. An example is found in the time when Sakugawa Kanga was on board such a ship bound for China. Of course, a man of Sakugawa’s skills was not only expected to help, but also, in spite of being unfamiliar with ship duty, serve as an assistant to the director of security.
The shinkoosen (tribute ship).
One evening, the day before the tribute ship was scheduled to arrive in Fuzhou, both passengers and crew were enjoying a routine voyage when, all of a sudden, the ship was attacked. Savage cries shot out from the darkness and arrows found their marks. Besieged by Chinese pirates, the crew fought gallantly against the ruthless sea dogs. A master fighter, Kanga wasted no time
