The Zenkoku Ryukyu Te Kenkyukai was founded to promote the study and preservation of classical Okinawan warrior arts. We strive to provide both historical and technical information for the serious martial artist, as well as the promotion of friendship and cooperation among leaders and enthusiasts of the Okinawan martial arts worldwide.
We are a non-political organization, built on the principle of helping other martial artists grow and spreading correct information. Among our objectives are the expansion of interest in Okinawan martial arts, the establishment of communication, friendship, understanding and harmony among member chapters, the development of the minds and bodies of members and the promotion of global understanding and personal growth.
We are a non-political organization, built on the principle of helping other martial artists grow and spreading correct information. Among our objectives are the expansion of interest in Okinawan martial arts, the establishment of communication, friendship, understanding and harmony among member chapters, the development of the minds and bodies of members and the promotion of global understanding and personal growth.
One of the most popular myths of Okinawan martial arts history is that they were created by farmers and peasants to ward off the invading Japanese samurai. However, the arts that would later become Karate and Kobudo were developed among the Yukatchu, the warrior aristocracy of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
Similar to mainland Japan, Ryukyuan society was divided into an intricate caste system. The Yukatchu class, itself broken down in several stages, was charged with law enforcement and military defense of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It was through their exchange with the Chinese that Uchinadi (Tode in Japanese) was developed by integrating Chinese marital arts with indigenous fighting styles, which would form the foundation for modern Karate. When the Japanese forcefully abolished the Ryukyu Kingdom and established the Okinawan Prefecture, they also abolished the Ryukyuan caste system. The Yukatchu were stripped of their titles and property, later resettling in the countryside ultimately leading to myth that Uchinadi was created by commoners.
Similar to mainland Japan, Ryukyuan society was divided into an intricate caste system. The Yukatchu class, itself broken down in several stages, was charged with law enforcement and military defense of the Ryukyu Kingdom. It was through their exchange with the Chinese that Uchinadi (Tode in Japanese) was developed by integrating Chinese marital arts with indigenous fighting styles, which would form the foundation for modern Karate. When the Japanese forcefully abolished the Ryukyu Kingdom and established the Okinawan Prefecture, they also abolished the Ryukyuan caste system. The Yukatchu were stripped of their titles and property, later resettling in the countryside ultimately leading to myth that Uchinadi was created by commoners.
