MASTER SEITOKU HIGA BIOGRAPHY
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Master Seitoku Higa was born in Naha city (Okinawa), on January 20th, 1921. In 1931 - when he was 11 years
old -
he began to train Karate under Sensei Kijun Kishimoto, who had beeb direct
student of Takemura (Shurite Master). In 1943 he received the Karate's Menkyo Kaiden (certificate of full proficiency) from Sensei Kishimoto, and - in 1945 - the Karate's Shihan Menkyo (Master's certificate) from Sensei Toyama, in Tokyo. Later he goes to Sumatras's mountains, to practising - and teaching - what he always have liked: "yagai renshu" (outdoor training). In 1947, Master Seitoku Higa received the 7th. Dan from the All Japan Karate Asociation. |
Then, he knows Hanshi Sensei Chotoku (Sento Ryu), from who - in 1948 - learned the kata Seisan; and he decided incorporate this form in his Karate's system. It was in 1948 too, when he become Vice President of the Nippon Karate Do Fuku Kai, and when he opened his first Dojo in Kumamoto (Japan).
In 1950, Master Seitoku Higa's senior students began teaching Karate in Shuri (Okinawa).
In 1951 - having knowed Master Chiko Choshin - he decided to open a new Dojo in Naha (Okinawa). From Master Choshin he learned Pa Sai no kata, and he decided to incorporate this form to his Karate system.
In 1956 he began to train Bo jutsu, under Master Masame Chinen Soke (Yamane ryu), and in 1960 he received the certificate of full proficiency (Menkyo Kaiden) in this Kobudo's Martial Art..
In 1961 he formed the Okinawan Kobudo
Kyokai , and continued his Bo jutsu's training with Sensei Seikichi
Uehara (Motobu Ryu).
Having learned the kata Useishi (Gojushijo), from Sensei Chosu Nakama, and the kata
Pin-An, from Sensei Nakamura, in 1962 he decided incoporate both forms to his
Karate's system.
In 1964 Master Higa became a Hanshi, and in 1966 he received the 9th. Dan and the Menkyo Kaiden (certificate of full proficiency) in Bu jitsu.
In 1967 he became in the first President
of the All Okinawan Karate Kobudo Rengo Kai, and - in1968 - he changed his
Dojo's name to Bu Gei Kan (Warrior's Art House).
In 1973 he became in Motobu Ryu Kobujutsu Kyokai's President, and in - 1975 - he
received the de 10th. Dan
Among others, the Karate's teaching system of Master Seitoku Higa taught the
following katas:
Naihanchi, Pin-An, Seisan, Sochin, Jitte, Neiseishi, Chinto, Pa Sai Sho, Pa
Sai Chu, Pa Sai Dai, Kusanku (Ko ryu), Kusanku (Bu Mura Ito), Gojushiho, Motode
San Sen, Matsu San Sen, Jissen, Suchin, Ryufa, Ni Dan Bu, Sanpa Bu Ryuha, Jion y
Ananku.
The Kobudo's katas of his teching system are: Ogushiku no Bo, Chikin no Bo, Chikin no Bo Dai,
Ken Washi no Bo, Shushi no Kun, Sunakake no Kun
Dai, Sho Sakugawa no Kun, Tonfa San no Dai, San no Sho, Nunchaku Dai, Nunchaku
Sho, Ni Cho Nunchaku y Shakunote.
Running the time - on his undoubted own merits - Hanshi Seitoku
Higa became in one of the most highly respected Karate and Kobudo Masters of
Okinawa. His teaching system had a great influence on other important Masters,
among them Sensei Seiichi "Shikan" Akamine (Master who created
our Karate School "Toku In Kan", and developed our Karate style
- and philosophy - "Kenshin Ryyu").
In his long way through Martial Arts, Master Seitoku Higa investigated the origin of several katas. Through this search, he knowed another great Master - Sensei Seiko Higa - and both develope the Chinesses versions from the ones it born the katas Naihanchi; Ryu Fa; Sanpa Bu Ryuha; Kusanku (Ko Ryu) and Kusanku (Bu Mura Ito). Contrary to Master Seiko Higa (this Sensei fell in love the Chinesse Martial Art's), Seitoku Higa - thinking that Japanesse versions were more convenient for his teaching method - don't incorporated these Chinesse version of the mentioned katas in his Karate style. However, the ascendancy of these Chinesse version it is evident, fundamentally in the bunkai (applications) of the same ones, and in the execution of several Kobudo's katas, such as Ken Washi no Bo; Nunchaku Sho y Ni Cho Nunchaku.
His son - Kiohiko Higa (8th. Dan) - continues him as Shuri Bu Gei Kan School's Director.
FERNANDO PRIETO
6th. DAN GOJU RYU = JKF GOJU KAI
6th. DAN KENSHIN RYU = KEN SHIN TETTSU GAKKU