Introducing the "Nagamine Shoshin Honoring Monument," a historical site within the Shuri-Tomari Te-kei lineage, situated in Tomari, Naha City.
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Tomari Port serves as the terminal for regular boats connecting the main island of Okinawa to the surrounding islands. A mere seven-minute walk from this bustling tourist hub, especially crowded during the summer months, leads to a small, traditional town park. Nestled beneath the shade of a towering banyan tree within this park stands a monument honoring Nagamine Shoshin, the master of Tomari-te, one of the three major styles of Okinawan karate.
Born in Tomari, Naha City, Nagamine embarked on his martial arts journey under the guidance of Chojin Kuba of Tomari-te, followed by Taro Shimabukuro of Shuri-te, and ultimately Ankichi Aragaki, a disciple of Kyan Chotoku. Nagamine was greatly influenced by Aragaki's philosophy and teaching principles. After serving in the military and subsequently being discharged, Nagamine pursued a career in law enforcement. During this time, he studied under Kyan Chotoku, who resided near the Kadena Police Station where Nagamine was first stationed, for approximately two years.
In 1941, Nagamine created the "popular kata I," which remains widely practiced in contemporary karate. Notably, in 1997, he became the first individual in the Okinawan karate community to be designated as the "Okinawa Prefecture's Intangible Cultural Property Holder."
